Money in Your Pocket Program Helps Working Families
Money in Your Pocket (MIYP), a program that helps low- and moderate-income working families better utilize state and federal tax credit programs, returned more than $5.1 million to local families this year.
The program operated 16 sites throughout the Capital Region that were staffed by 260 volunteers who served as free tax preparers, quality reviewers and site coordinators. A total of 5,332 returns were electronically filed and the average return was $1,146. Clients use the money for bills and to save for the future. Individuals and families also increased their income by an average of six percent through the program.
MIYP offered three ways to help clients file returns. At traditional tax preparation sites, volunteers prepared computerized, electronic returns through the IRS’s Volunteer Tax Income Assistance (VITA) program. MIYP also offered assisted and unassisted self-preparation options utilizing MyFreeTaxes.com for those with computer skills.
MIYP is a partnership of several community organizations, with United Way of the Capital Region serving as the lead agency. Financial support for the program was provided by PNC Bank and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.
For more information on the Money in Your Pocket program, contact Andy Dessel, United Way community impact manager, at adessel@uwcr.org.
