The results are in!
Since the ending of the 2019 tax season, United Way's Erie FREE Taxes program has calculated a total of $99 million in federal tax refunds since its start in 2007. Erie FREE Taxes provides assistance to eligible individuals with filing their taxes. Through this program, tax filers are able to obtain the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To date, over 21,000 EITC have been claimed, resulting in over $38 million in EITC returns.
We are pleased to announce the Erie FREE Taxes program has saved tax filers over $15 million, confirming it as an essential resource in leading others out of the cycle of poverty. Erie FREE Taxes program is estimated to value over $114 million.
Despite the pandemic hitting during the 2019 tax filing season, Erie FREE Taxes assisted in:
- 5,409 federal tax returns, resulting in over $10 million in refunds.
- 1,654 Earned Income Tax Credits, returning over $3.8 million to EFT filers.
- Saving filers over $2 million in tax aid.
United Way is committed to crushing poverty and provides funding for services, like Erie FREE Taxes, that help the community to meet this mission.
