Taxpayer Opportunity Network Newsletter: May 2023

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Dear John,

As the tax season continues to wind down for some of our community tax prep partners, we welcome new IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) Director Maryann Enciso and congratulate our friend Tracey Walker-Carter on her appointment to Director of Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE)!

Look out for our final Tax Prep Dispatch of the season later this month for a full rundown of last week’s annual Tax Season Debrief where TON Staff and National Steering Committee Members met with SPEC leadership to discuss the filing season that just passed, start planning for next year, and many other topics large and small that make VITA and TCE the amazing programs they are today. For now, read on for the latest updates from the field.

In partnership,

Graham O’Neill

Tax Policy Strategist

Prosperity Now

An NYC Model for Expanding Free Tax Assistance to Small Business Owners

Elina Tatis is the Senior Program Manager of New York City’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) [[link removed]] within NYC’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Elina has dedicated her career to fighting for the financial empowerment and security of New Yorkers. She does this by overseeing NYC’s annual Free Tax Prep program [[link removed]], which has been crucial in creating and protecting the financial health of low-income New Yorkers. Prosperity Now recently spoke with Elina about the OFE’s recently launched NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Filers program, specifically expanding services to small business owners and marking a key step in protecting low-income New Yorkers.

This program recognizes the prevalence of self-employed Americans, gig workers, and small business owners in the economy, and how they are often overlooked in tax systems. Of the newly launched program, IRS SPEC Director said "We were so excited to collaborate with NYC in implementing this innovative and much-needed pilot. We are thrilled with the initial outcomes from the first year and look forward to working with NYC to expand this pilot beginning in the 2024 tax season."

Read Our Full Conversation with Elina [[link removed]]

For more information about NYC Free Tax Prep, visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep [[link removed]]. If you have questions about replicating in your own city, contact [[email protected]].

Calling all Community Mobilizers: You Still Have Time! Apply to be a Prosperity Now Community Champion Today!

John, the application to become a Prosperity Now Community Champion is still open! Community Champions are committed to working together to advance systemic policy change, advancing racial and ethnic economic justice, and have an active leadership and convening role in their state, local or native community. They also have the opportunity to network with peer organizations across the country; develop their leadership, coalition and organizational capacity; elevate their organizational profile; receive local, state and federal advocacy support from national experts and more.

We encourage all interested organizations to learn more about the role here [[link removed]] before applying via the 2023 Community Champions Membership Application [[link removed]] or Community Champion Application Survey [[link removed]]. The deadline to apply is June 9, 2023. If you have any questions along the way, please reach out to LaToya Lowery [mailto:[email protected]]. Let’s work together to build an economy that is just, fair and free from structural racism!

What's New from TON?

Mark Your Calendar for VITACon 2023! [[link removed]]

Join your fellow Taxpayer Opportunity Network members and VITA stakeholders for VITACon in Pittsburgh, PA from September 6-8! Check out the webpage to see the “schedule-at-a-glance" and learn more details about VITACON 2023. Registration for VITACON 2023 opens on June 1 but you can click here [[link removed]] to book a room at the Westin Pittsburgh [[link removed]] at a preferred VITACon rate of $129/night! We hope to see you there.

2024 LITC Grant Application Period Now Open! [[link removed]]

The LITC Program Office announced the opening of the 2024 Grant Application period. The application period for all applications is May 8 through June 26.

VITA/TCE Programs should check out “What’s New for 2024” for significant changes made to this year’s Publication 3319 starting on page iii as grant rule changes have made VITA/TCE organizations eligible for LITC funds for the first time.

State & Federal Policy Updates

Maryland - New Maryland laws expand earned income tax credit, child tax credit [[link removed]] | The Center Square

In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore signed a bill that will permanently expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income residents and broaden the requirements for Child Tax Credit (CTC) eligibility.

Hawaii - Working Families Win With EITC Expansion [[link removed].] | Honolulu Civil Beat

In Hawaii, their state legislature just passed House Bill 954 [[link removed]], increasing their EITC from 20% to 40% of the federal rate while also improving the state Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC)

New York - Governor Hochul Announces Significant Actions to Expand Affordable Child Care Access Statewide as Part of FY 2024 Budget [[link removed](or] | ny.gov

To expand and improve childcare access in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) expanded the Empire State CTC to children under four years old as part of the state’s FY2024 budget.

Federal - Biden’s path to a more equitable tax policy and a balanced budget is sound [[link removed]] | The Salt Lake Tribune

This letter from the Salt Lake Tribune expresses that Republicans’ complaints about President Biden’s budget are unwarranted and that it is sound in its pursuit of balance and equity.

Resources From the Field

Protecting Taxpayer Rights at VITA: When to Put the Brakes on E-Filing [[link removed]] | Prosperity Now

This brief provides insight into how taking your time to file your tax return may improve financial stability in the long run.

Larger welfare checks lead to healthier brains, study finds [[link removed]] | The Hill

A study [[link removed]] from Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis found that anti-poverty measures and assistance can improve the brain development and mental health of children.

Upcoming IRS SPEC Partner Webcasts

IRS SPEC hosts regular Partner Webcasts that are meant to ensure that you feel confident during filing season and beyond. Join the next SPEC Webcast on June 13, 2023. For more information about this event and to obtain the full 2023 schedule, please contact your local SPEC Relationship Manager.

IRS offers tips on preparedness and how to protect personal information during natural disasters [[link removed]]

IRS: Going green could help taxpayers qualify for expanded home energy tax credits [[link removed]]

Network Events, Job Opportunities and More

Virtual Event: Enhancing Child Well-Being with Cash Assistance: Lessons from the Child Tax Credit and Next Steps for States [[link removed]] | Urban Institute | May 24, 2023

Establishing the Financial Guide Role at VITA Sites [[link removed]] | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) | May 25, 2023

ICYMI

Webinar Recording: 2023 Tax Filing Debrief [[link removed]]| Prosperity Now | May 4, 2023

Webinar Recording: Maximizing Community Impact: Scaling VITA Services with Self-Preparation [[link removed]] | Prosperity Now | April 25, 2023

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