In honor of National Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, United Way of Southern Nevada held a celebration for its “Earn It Keep It Save It”collaborative at Doc Pearson Community Center on Friday, Jan. 27 (Pictured above: Nevada State Senator, Majority Leader, Steven Horsford, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Nevada State Senate member, District 10, Ruben Kihuen and United Way of Southern Nevada President and CEO Cass Palmer).
United Way President and CEO Cass Palmer hosted the event, informing attendees about the importance of the program. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Nevada State Senator, Majority Leader, Steven Horsford attended as guest speakers, giving an overview of how families and the community can benefit from receiving earned tax credits.
“In the wake of our high unemployment rates and troubled economy, getting the word out about ‘Earn It Keep It Save It’ will help our local economy as we push forward,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. “By helping more families and individuals access this credit, we will bring millions of dollars back to our community where we will all benefit. Every dollar that we bring in to our community helps Southern Nevada to grow, thrive and add additional employment opportunities.”
The event served as a kickoff for “Earn It Keep It Save It” free tax preparation program. Now through Tuesday, April 17, individuals and families with a household income less than $50,000 are encouraged to take advantage of the complimentary services. Tax evaluations are currently taking place at more than 35 VITA sites across the Las Vegas Valley. Site hours vary by location. Qualifying residents should be prepared with documents including valid identification, Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification number cards (for each person submitted in tax filing), all W-2 and 1099 forms from 2011, daycare payment records and any additional tax documents.
Interested taxpayers can find information on United Way’s “Earn It Keep It Save It” free tax services, VITA site locations and hours of operation at www.eksnv.org or 702.892.2300.
During the 2011 tax season, more than 200 volunteers helped 6,000 families claim $8 million in tax refunds, including $3.1 million in federal tax credits.
About United Way of Southern Nevada
United Way collaborates with volunteers, stakeholders and community leaders to uncover key strategies designed to develop community-based solutions to our community’s most pressing health and human service issues. Beyond quick fixes, these strategies are delivering lasting solutions, aligned with benchmarks and achievement standards, to change community conditions. For more information about southern Nevada’s most pressing needs and how United Way’s Community-based Agenda is improving lives, visit uwsn.org/connected and join United Way’s social network.
