PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Providing free tax help to low-and moderate-income families is proving a big winner for Michigan credit unions with the Michigan Credit Union League reporting a huge boost in taxpayers taking advantage of its two-year-old "Just File It-We'll Help" program.
In fact, the league, which timed its disclosure last week with the U.S. Treasury's annual Earned Income Tax Credit Day, said in less than a month $800,000 has already been returned to Michigan taxpayers.
That compares to the $890,387 in federal returns and $357,758 in EITC for the entire tax season of 2007.
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One reason for the higher number, according to the league, is that more CUs are participating in the program. Indeed, there are now 140 CUs in Just File It, 100 more than when the venture debuted in 2006, said league officials.
"With so many credit unions participating and greater public awareness of Just File It, we were expecting to see higher numbers in returns," said league President/CEO David Adams.
"The need for a program like Just File It! is greater than ever," said John Normandeau, president/CEO of BestSource. "That is why we are proud to join the network of credit unions and other non-profits offering Just File It! to help families put food on the table, move into better housing, invest in education or save for the future."
In the program's first week of 2008 over $700,000 was returned to Michigan taxpayers in the form of refunds and credits.
All that is required to use Just File It! Is a computer, Internet access, a Web browser and a printer. It's available in both English and Spanish and uses a free, Web-based software program that posts questions to users and offers assistance using video tutorials. To view the program, visit www.bestsourcecu.org and click on the Tax Information link.
The Legal Aid Society of Orange County, Calif. developed the technology with the MCUL underwriting software costs in conjunction with the Michigan Poverty Law Center.
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