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CHN's Lease Purchase resident Chiyoko Williams claims her EITC at the event with Senator Brown, CHN's Executive Director Rob Curry and Senator Voinovich. |
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CLEVELAND, Ohio February 4, 2008 – On Saturday February 2, 2008, 168 local residents took advantage of Super Refund Saturday, a one-day event which offered free tax preparation and helped residents discover their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Super Refund Saturday was sponsored by the Cleveland Housing Network, Cuyahoga EITC Coalition, Saint Ignatius High School, KeyBank, and the IRS. "About 25 percent of the people who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit don't know it," said Mike Griffin, SVP of Key's Community Development Bank and present on site that day. "Taxpayers who work hard and earn low to moderate wages may be eligible to receive between $428 and $4,716 back from the federal government through EITC. Those are dollars nobody wants to leave on the table, and we were happy to help the community recoup that money." The day, which took place at Saint Ignatius High School's main library resulted in a total of 168 returns filed, over $408,176 in federal tax refunds processed, and $203,996 in Earned Income Tax Credits discovered that will be put back into the hands of local residents. "Without our operational volunteers and partners, this day would not be possible", explains Cathi Adinaro, CHN's Community Center Manager. "Saint Ignatius High School opened their doors, and our 75 volunteers opened their hearts to service so many families in a single day. We are truly grateful for their commitment in helping us assist families during this tax season." In support of the effort at the 10:00 AM kick-off ceremony were: Senator Voinovich, Senator Brown, Councilman Cimperman, CHN’s Executive Director Rob Curry, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, Lorraine Vega of The Key Foundation, Laurie Rokakis of Office of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, IRS representative Michelle Bell, City of Cleveland Representative Natoya Walker, Mike Griffin of KeyBank, and Ben Nichols of Enterprise. EITC was created to benefit working families by returning money to those who most need it. This, in turn, reduces demand for public service and benefit programs, and helps the local economy. The guidelines for eligibility are as follows: Earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than: $37,783 ($39,783 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children; $33,241 ($35,241 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child; $12,590 ($14,590 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children. While Super Refund Saturday has concluded, residents may still take advantage of the EITC by calling CHN’s Community Training Center at 216.881.8443 x.1. |