The United Way of King County and ACORN are ABC partners that lead EITC/free tax preparation campaigns. In 2008, the United Way prepared 12,330 tax returns, returning $14.4 million in refunds, including $4.6 million in EITC. They run 15 tax prep sites. They also sold 112 savings bonds worth $20,850 for their customers. ACORN is running 3 sites and screens all applicants for a range of public benefits. Services are available in a variety of languages.
This year, ABC, United Way of King County, and ACORN are piloting new strategies to connect tax customers with public benefits and other asset building services, including PeoplePoint benefits, assisting tax customers in buying savings bonds, and referring clients to financial services through Bank on Seattle-King County and to other asset building services.