Georgia Work Credit Gaining Steam, Coalition Members Make Splash on EITC Awareness Day

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HB 588 Needs Your Support

Lawmakers are increasingly looking for ways to address stagnant wages and support Georgia’s working families, putting HB 588 in a great position. HB 588 would be an enormous step forward for the Georgia Work Credit, establishing a 10 percent non-refundable credit to benefit nearly 700,000 Georgia families. As the legislature reconvenes this week after a short break to work on the budget, make sure they hear from you. Click here to easily send a letter to your lawmakers expressing your support.

Partners Leading on Georgia Work Credit

Step Up Savannah joined lawmakers at the Capitol last month urging support of a Georgia Work Credit. “We believe it to be a win-win for both working families and for local economies,” Interim Executive Director of Step Up Savannah Alicia Johnson said. Watch the full WSAV interview here.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is leading a campaign to educate Georgia lawmakers this session on the link between food insecurity and a Georgia Work Credit by taking a close look at community-level data. “We have always understood that a Georgia Work Credit would help many of the families we serve to put food on the table,” said Lauren Waits, policy advisor to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “We hope that the district-specific data we can now provide will help our state legislators appreciate the full scope of the opportunity that HB 588 presents to their own constituents.”

EITC Awareness Day Makes a Splash

Thanks to partners across the state, Georgia made a strong mark on EITC Awareness Day! Each year, the day provides an opportunity to educate taxpayers about the earned income tax credit. Here are a few highlights:

  • Georgia advocates around the state participated in a social media campaign on Jan. 31st to raise awareness for the EITC.
  • The United Way of Greater Atlanta hosted a press conference with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to raise awareness for the EITC and the VITA free tax prep program.
  • The United Way of Central Georgia, the Family Investment Center, and IRS hosted a press conference and “EITC Awareness Day” event that included a mobile health unit, self-help tax kiosk, drop-off tax location, educational seminar and more.