ATLANTA PROSPERITY CAMPAIGN AND PARTNERS ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF THE METRO ATLANTA VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

45 Sites Offer Free Tax Preparation
to Metro-wide for Households Earning $42,000 or Less

The Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, a coalition of local nonprofits, government and corporate groups, announced the kick-off of this season’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well other economic benefits for Metro Atlanta’s working families and the greater community. 
Congressman John Lewis, State of Georgia Representative Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Community Food Bank Founder and Executive Director Bill Bolling, Atlanta Workforce Development Agency Executive Director Deborah Lum, celebrated the opening of local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites and National Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day. The 45 VITA sites will offer free tax preparation metro-wide to individuals and families whose households earned $42,000 or less in 2008. 

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency's VITA center is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM .

Activities included free tax preparation, free health screenings, financial literacy assistance, an on-site job fair and more. Expo partners included the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Internal Revenue Service and the Center for Working Families.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank introduced the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign (APC) in June 2007. In its first year, the Campaign had an incredible impact on increasing enrollment in economic benefits aimed at low-income employees including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free income tax preparation services. Last year, APC helped 9,417 people file their taxes, a 47% increase in free returns, bringing more than $11 million in tax refunds into the economy—including more than $3 million in EITC.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.atlantaprosperity.org or call 211.