PRESS RELEASES - APRIL 2008

April 17, 2008

Income Tax Assistance Program Returns $3.4 Million to Arlington Economy
City of Arlington Accepts Funds

What: An armored truck from Loomis Fargo & Company will deliver $3.4 million in tax refunds to the City of Arlington. Although the money being delivered is not real, it represents real income for Arlington citizens who used Arlington Assets for Working Families tax preparation services.

Who: City of Arlington

Patty Wright - Project Director, Arlington Human Service Planners
United Way Tarrant County

Nancy Dahle - Arlington Community Tax Center Director, Foundation Communities

Representatives from other partnering agencies will also be available for interviews.

When: 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 21

Where: Arlington City Hall
Municipal Building Courtyard
101 W. Abram St.
Arlington, Texas 76010

Background: Since 2006, Arlington Assets for Working Families has provided free income tax assistance to low-and middle-income families and/or seniors age 60 and older. This year, trained volunteers working with the program helped Arlington taxpayers receive an estimated $3.4 million dollars in total refunds, including $424,194 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC). The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit designed to help low-income working individuals and families preserve income and develop assets. While the popularity of this tax program continues to grow, on a national level more than one billion EITC dollars go unclaimed each year because of limited community awareness. To learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit, visit www.irs.gov.

Arlington Assets for Working Families is a partnership of the Arlington Human Service Planners, Foundation Community Tax Centers, AARP, IRS, Legal Aid of NW Texas, Mt. Olive Baptist Church and the City of Arlington (Libraries, Community Development and Planning and the Arlington Housing Authority). AHSP is a collaborative effort between United Way of Tarrant County and the City of Arlington.

Note to media: Armored truck arrives at 10:45 a.m. Excellent video and photo opportunities.