The Chatham-Savannah Asset Development Coalition mobilizes volunteers each year to assist eligible individuals in preparing their taxes and filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Over the last five years, coalition members at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (or VITA) sites have brought millions of dollars back to working families in Chatham County. Much work remains to be done, however. The IRS estimates that more than $8 million in Earned Income Tax Credits remain unclaimed in Chatham County.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit designed to offset the cost of Social Security contributions for low- and moderate-income workers. Families may still qualify for the credit even if their income is so low that are not required to file a tax return. Generally, families with an annual income of $42,000 or less are eligible for the EITC.
In 2008, 65 new bank accounts were also opened at on VITA site, as part of a pilot; that effort is being expanded to other VITA sites through the Banking Taskforce.
Year Returns EITC Federal Refund
2004 1,075 $724,561 $1,329,508
2005 1,583 $1,148,420 $2,004,510
2006 1,738 $1,219,808 $2,219,443
2007 2,574 $1,228,123 $2,614,082
2008 3,167 $1,600,870 $3,078,804
2009 VITA Sites
| Site Name | Site Address | Site Coordinator |
| Capital City Bank | 339 MLK Jr. Blvd. | Barabra Mincey |
| Chatham County | 124 Bull Street | Louise Copeland |
| Department of Family and Children Services | 761 Wheaton Street | Freedie Pollard |
| Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) | 618 Anderson Street | Phyllis Mackey |
| Employment and Training Center of UMI | 711 East Broad Street | Stacey Murray |
| Neighborhood Improvement Association | 1816 Abercorn Street | Teinique Gadson |
| Moses Jackson Community Center | 1210 Richard Street | Lei Frazier |
| Second Arnold Baptist Church | 1427 East 37th Street | Curley Green |
| Savannah Entrepreneurial Center | 801 East Gwinnett Street | Natalie Moultrie |
| United Way of Efffingham County | 711 Zitterour Drive (Rincon) | Bonnie Dixon |
| St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital | 11700 Middleground Road | Marlene Ferguson |
| St. Mary’s Community Center | 812 West 36th Street | Sister Pat Baber |
| United Way of Bryan County | 1018 Amila Drive (Pembroke) | Janice Blunt |
