Some Tufts students took a break from their heavy academic load yesterday to kick off efforts to publicize tax breaks in local communities - some of which can benefit the average low-income family in Cambridge by $1,200.
Massachusetts Congressman Michael Capuano and Cambridge State Representative Ann Paulson discussed the Earned Income Tax Credit yesterday at the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, which publicized the free tax services of community nonprofits.
A resolution in support of the project from Cambridge mayor Michael Sullivan was also read.
"It was the first day they were doing the taxes; the event was a show of support for the program," National Student Partnerships (NSP) member sophomore Will Chester said.
The Tufts chapter of NSP is the only group in Somerville preparing taxes for free, NSP Site Coordinator Lisa Fishlin (LA '03), said. Clients may come in during the office's normal business hours to have their taxes assessed.
Fishlin said that many low-income families can benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits, but either are unaware of these potential refunds or are unwilling to pay the fees assessed by for-profit firms.
NSP files tax returns using "e-file", an electronic service that processes returns within 14 days, providing additional dollars that can be crucial for families and individuals struggling to get by.
The Earned Income Tax Credit brought 4 million dollars back to Cambridge last year, which in turn "fuels the local economy because people tend to spend it on necessities: for example, clothing and purchases for children," Fishlin said.
"We're most excited...this is a good way for us to do outreach to the community," said NSP member junior Laura Timko. "[The community] can connect our name with other things we can help them with."
The Tufts NSP chapter focuses on employment, housing, child care, health care, legal aid, and transportation. It is part of a nationwide network of agencies run by college students that provide basic civil services to low-income families.
