Chamber Joins Mayor, Community Leaders to Celebrate Success of Earned Income Tax Credit

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce President Laurie White was pleased to join Providence Mayor David Cicilline and other community leaders at the John Hope Settlement House in Providence Thursday, July 9 to announce that this year upwards of 2,200 local filers received more than $1.1 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

For the last eight years, the Chamber has been a part of the effort to raise awareness surrounding the program, which is considered the nation's most important anti-poverty program. This year, through the collaborative work of the Chamber, the United Way of Rhode Island, the Providence EITC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition and other business and community organizations, there was an 18 percent increase in the number of low income filers assisted and a 34 percent increase in refunds claimed.

"By helping employers learn about the tax credit, we are not only allowing them to build trust and good will in thr workplace, but they are giving their employees the ability to supplement thier incomes, which is crticial in today's challenging economy," Chamber President Laurie White said at the event. "The success of these hard-working families is essential to development in the city, as they are foundation of our continued prosperity."