Partnering with local businesses that cater to lower- and moderate-income consumers can reach customers, as well as employees. Government agencies and nonprofit groups are employers too. These workers often earn modest wages and could qualify for the EITC and CTC.
CONNECT WITH
- Merchants’ associations
- Trade groups
- Utility companies, department stores, family restaurants, and other local businesses
- Business organizations that cater to lower- and moderate-income consumers
STRATEGIES
1. Show businesses that promoting tax credits helps stabilize the workforce and develop communities.
When employees have the money they need to take care of their families, they are more productive at work. The EITC and CTC are an economic development tool that puts more money into the pockets of community residents, who then put more money back into local businesses.
2. Work with employers and managers to promote tax credits and free tax filing assistance to employees.
Employers can promote tax credits directly to employees by including tax credit information with paychecks, hanging posters in the workplace, and making information available through employee resource lines and intranet systems. Managers can incorporate information into employee manuals and training for new hires. Employers with many lower-wage employees can arrange to have VITA volunteers provide on-site tax preparation.
3. Help businesses share tax credit information with customers.
Businesses can display informational posters in their windows, department stores can play announcements on public address systems, and family restaurants can print messages on tray liners or placemats.
4. Reach out to self-employed workers.
Some workers don’t realize they are self-employed and are unfamiliar with tax responsibilities, such as paying estimated self-employment taxes. Workers like Uber and Lyft drivers, may not understand how to count income or track business expenses. Inform self-employed workers about educational tax resources. Direct rideshare drivers and free tax preparation volunteers to www.RideshareTaxHelp.com to learn about tax filing, record keeping, and making tax payments.
