City of Little Rock, IRS, Other Partners to Assist Taxpayers in Receiving Money

(Monday, September 29, 2008) – “Earlier this year, the Federal Government started mailing the Economic Stimulus Payments. To date, many Arkansans have received their checks. But others have not because they have not yet filed. Today, we are encouraging everyone who is eligible to file for the Economic Stimulus Payments,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola.

These remarks were made at a press conference announcing the plans for an Economic Stimulus Payment Free Income Tax Filing campaign.

The filing day will take place on October 7, from 4pm to 7pm. It will take place at the Arkansas Workforce Centers located at 3901 South University Ave, Suite 24.

Over 70,000 Arkansans who are eligible for the Economic Stimulus Payment have not filed Federal Income Taxes. These are persons who are receiving Social Security benefits or Veterans benefits.

It is estimated that over 4,700 of these non-filing residents live in Little Rock and an additional 2,000 live elsewhere in Pulaski County.

The Economic Stimulus Payment returns can be filed until October 15.

Persons who cannot attend the event may still be able to receive free income tax filing assistance. Residents are encouraged to call 501-682-7719 to find the nearest location offering the free assistance.

According to W. J. Monagle, Executive Director of the Little Rock Workforce Investment Board, “We have heard many reasons that people have not filed for their Economic Stimulus Payment. Some have not filed Federal Tax Returns in years; others do not know they qualify for the payment. This is money that the Federal Government has set aside for its citizens. We are working with our partners to try to ensure that everyone who is eligible receives the money.”

Jane Fisher, a senior tax consultant for the IRS, noted, “The IRS wants to help these Arkansans to receive their money. We are proud to partner with the EITC Coalition to make this happen. But we cannot help people unless they file for the Economic Stimulus Payment.”

Also at the press announcement, Ms. Fisher presented an award to Mayor Stodola and the City of Little Rock for its leadership in creating and administering the EITC Coalition. The EITC Coalition is a multi-agency collaboration which works to increase participation in Earned Income Tax Credit filing in advance of April 15. For the past several years, Little Rock and the EITC Coalition have sponsored a Super Saturday Tax Day the day before the Super Bowl.

The Arkansas EIT Coalition members include: AACF--Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, ACORN, the Arkansas Department of Human Services Divisions of Childcare and County Operations, the Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union, the Arkansas Governor’s Office, the Arkansas Municipal League, and the Central Arkansas Development Council.

Other members are: the City of Little Rock, the City of North Little Rock, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Hola Arkansas, HUD, IRS—SPEC (Internal Revenue Service—Stakeholder Partnerships, Education, and Communication), and Latin Community Organization.

Rounding out the members are: Little Rock Workforce Investment Board, New Futures for Youth, the National League of Cities, Pulaski County government, St. Louis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, Social Security Administration, the United Way, and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

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