Economic success requires being able to meet basic family needs, find support for unexpected emergencies and have predictable resources to build financial security for the future.

Working low- and moderate-income families trying to get ahead can be derailed if they lose childcare benefits, health insurance, food stamps, income supplements, transportation assistance or other services that they depend on. They are often disconnected from mainstream financial institutions with little opportunity to obtain loans for education, training, home ownership and the know-how to save and build for a future.

The Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties is working to help low- and moderate-income families by harnessing the power of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC.

For tax year 2005, taxpayers earning less than $35,263 ($37,263 if married filing jointly) may be eligible to claim an EITC refund of up to $4,400. Eligible taxpayers who have not previously claimed EITC can file an amended return for the last three years and may be eligible to receive a tax refund of up to $17,044.

Through a collaboration of nonprofit organizations, social services, government and business, the Prosperity Campaign was launched in January 2004 as a way to expand the impact of local EITC outreach and free tax preparation programs.

The Prosperity Campaign seeks to protect the full value of the EITC for families by encouraging the use of free tax preparation assistance from trained volunteers. In its first year, the Prosperity Campaign's 74 free income tax preparation sites prepared 15,043 tax returns, helping to claim $2.9 million in Earned Income Tax Credit and $1.5 million in Child Tax Credit for Hillsborough and Pinellas working families.

While these results are impressive, we can support even more families with your help. The IRS estimates 15 percent to 20 percent of eligible households do not claim EITC. And we know that millions more in EITC dollars go unclaimed in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties each year.

We urge business owners and managers to promote EITC in the workplace. The business community's support of the Prosperity Campaign can substantially help boost the standard of living for thousands of children and their parents while bringing millions of EITC dollars into the local economy.

Distribute EITC information to all employees. Free payroll inserts, flyers, and posters are available through the Prosperity Campaign. Invite a Prosperity Campaign representative to explain who is eligible for EITC and where they can receive free assistance in filing their taxes. Ask your business associates and employees to become Prosperity Campaign volunteers during the tax season. Donate computer equipment such as laptops and printers for use in the Prosperity Campaign's free tax preparation program.

Free quality tax preparation to ensure eligibility of EITC. Assurance that available Child Tax Credits are claimed. Fast refunds with no preparation or refund loan fees. Access to financial education resources.

Help your employees and our community prosper. For more information or to order free EITC flyers, payroll inserts, and posters, call our Prosperity Campaign Coordinators Kristen Gopman, (813) 301-7335 or gopmank@hillsboroughcounty.org, or Cherin Stover, (727) 328-0618, CherinStover@hotmail.com.

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