January 29, 2016

OCC: Supporting Earned Income Tax Credit Day 2016

WASHINGTON — Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry today issued the following statement recognizing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is pleased to support Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to educate the public about a valuable tax benefit for working families and free tax preparation. This is the 10th anniversary of EITC Awareness Day, which continues to bring attention to this valuable program. Working Americans who claim the EITC may receive a tax refund that can be used for short-term goals, such as creating a “rainy day” savings account or paying bills; or for long-term goals like making a down payment on a house or saving for college and retirement.

National banks and federal savings associations have an opportunity to educate their customers on financial capability programs, services, and products. OCC-regulated institutions are encouraged to work in their communities to promote the EITC and free tax assistance programs, as well as to partner with nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Examples of bank EITC activities include:

  • Promoting and providing low-cost bank products and services that enable tax refund recipients to deposit their income tax refunds directly into their accounts.
  • Encouraging the use of tax refunds in bank-sponsored savings match programs, also known as Individual Development Accounts.
  • Sponsoring Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs in bank branches and supporting bank employees who volunteer as tax preparers in low- and moderate-income communities.

Created in 1975, the EITC is the federal government’s largest program for helping working Americans. It is a refundable tax credit for people who work but do not earn high incomes. Last year, 27.5 million taxpayers received about $66.7 billion in EITC.

The OCC provides resources on the EITC on its Web site at https://www.occ.gov, including the Leveraging Earned Income Tax Credits to Reach New Bank Customers Fact Sheet. OCC’s District Community Affairs Officers are available nationwide to provide information about this and other initiatives to national banks and federal savings associations interested in promoting the EITC in their communities.

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