Overview

From January through April, CHDC coordinates Contra Costa County's Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program, which assists low income individuals and families to claim their full, correct tax refunds, at no charge. We especially aim to assure that families collect all benefits due to them through underutilized tax provisions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. The program saves taxpayers hundreds of dollars in preparation fees, protects them against losing even more money through high-interest "refund anticipation" loans, and helps connect them with other services that can enhance their family financial stability.

If you have a household income below $52,000, this program can help you file your taxes and get your full, correct refund at no charge. We have many locations throughout Contra Costa County. Volunteers are also needed to greet tax filers, provide information and assist with filing taxes.

In 2009, more than 2600 Contra Costa County taxpayers with low incomes used Earn It! Keep It! Save It! They received over $3.5 million in tax refunds and leveraged over $1.2 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. This money not only directly benefited taxpayers and their families, but also circulated in the local economy, benefiting communities through the multiplier effect.

This annual campaign involves over 100 trained volunteers and at least 15 local sites where tax assistance is provided throughout Contra Costa County. We recruit volunteers and sites on a year-round basis. Volunteers and site coordinators receive IRS-sponsored training as well as support from CHDC. Click here to learn more about volunteering or becoming a tax assistance site.

CHDC coordinates the Contra Costa County program in conjunction with the county's Family Economic Security Partnership, and with the United Way and the IRS, which co-sponsor Earn It! Keep It! Save It! throughout the Bay Area.