You don’t have to be a tax expert to help individuals and families learn about and claim tax benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC)!

Claiming these tax credits can help more people afford the rising costs of essentials. The credits can also put eligible people on the path to securing better housing, obtaining dependable transportation, paying for quality child care, or pursuing higher education.

This guide provides the resources community organizations and agencies need to connect people to tax credits and free tax help.

Key Tax Credits 

• Earned Income Tax Credit
  • State EITCs
• Child Tax Credit
  • EITC and CTC Eligibility
  • Refund Delays for Some EITC and CTC Recipients Continue in 2024

Outreach Fundamentals 

• Free Tax Filing and VITA
• Running Local Outreach
• Using Social Media

Promoting Tax Credits and Free Tax Help 

Community-based outreach activities are critical to help people who are eligible for tax credits learn about and claim them. This includes people who become newly eligible due to tax law changes, earn too little to be required to file a tax return, enter the labor force for the first time, earn less than expected during the year, mistakenly think they don’t qualify for the credits, or don’t know they can file their taxes for free and claim tax credits for up to three previous years.

Explore these outreach strategies to help people get the money they qualify for:

Strategies for Institutions 

• Public Benefit Agencies
• Businesses and Employers
• Utility Companies
• Schools
• Faith-based Organizations
• Money Management Services

Strategies for Communities  

• Workers and Children with Disabilities
• Domestic Violence Survivors
• Foster Parents & Grandparents
• Immigrant Families
• Rural Communities
• Tribal and Native Communities
• Adults Not Living with Children
• People Experiencing Homelessness
• Individuals Released From Prison
• Military Personnel and Returning Veterans

Free Tax Help

• Free Tax Filing (VITA)
• What to Bring to a Tax Appointment (Tax Appointment Checklist)
• What You Need to Know to File Taxes in 2024
• Is it Too Late to Get Tax Credits from Previous Years?
• Getting 2021 Expanded Tax Credits and Missing Stimulus Payments
• How to Create an IRS ID.me Account
• What is Tax Identity Theft and How Can I Protect Myself?
• Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

Outreach Resources 

Incorporate these materials in your outreach efforts. Feel free to customize and adapt the content as needed.

• EITC and CTC Toolkit – includes messaging and earned media materials, social media posts, call and text scripts, and newsletter copy
• Graphics
• EITC Estimator