Schools

A teacher points at students raising their hands in a classroom.

Working with schools offers many opportunities to reach families that may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Schools are usually viewed as trustworthy institutions, and families pay attention to information children bring home from school. Engaging colleges and universities can help expand the availability of free tax filing assistance.

CONNECT WITH 

  • Local school districts 
  • School officials and administrators 
  • School counselors 
  • State Department of Education 
  • Community colleges and technical schools 
  • High schools 
  • Parent Teacher Associations 
  • Local colleges and universities 

STRATEGIES

1. Help schools host free tax filing assistance sites.

Schools have the ideal space and resources — such as multi-purpose rooms, libraries, computers, and desks — that can serve as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. High schools, community colleges, and universities can help provide this much-needed service in under-served communities

A library that can be used as a free tax filing assistance site.

2. Identify families that are likely to qualify.

Prioritize outreach to schools with a high number of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, Title I schools that serve elementary school students in lower-income communities, and Head Start programs. Your State Department of Education can help identify school districts with these programs.

Kids smile while enjoying their free or reduced-price lunch.

3. Enlist school staff to help conduct outreach.

School superintendents and principals can distribute tax credit information through materials like school newsletters, report cards, email updates and mailers. School counselors, who often come into contact with families experiencing financial hardship, are well-positioned to promote the EITC and the CTC.

4. Reach out to students in the workforce.

Administrators can share tax credit information with General Education diploma (GED) classes. Community colleges or technical schools can conduct outreach to students who may be working part-time, training to change jobs, or preparing to enter the workforce. Students taking non-credit courses, such as career exploration or personal finance, may also be eligible for these credits.

A student working part-time as a cashier.

5. Involve students in conducting outreach activities.

Schools can incorporate community service activities into their curriculum or as part of a graduation requirement. Students can help publicize the EITC and the CTC in their communities and volunteer at VITA sites. Student service groups can also organize tax credit outreach projects.

6. Coordinate tax credit outreach with financial aid promotion.

High schools can incorporate FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) promotion or help support VITA sites. Community colleges and universities can include information on the American Opportunity Tax Credit while promoting the EITC, the CTC, and VITA.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES