I-CAN! E-File Returns Millions to Low-Income Americans

Washington,
DC — Tax-filing season is in full swing and a free website, developed
with funding from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), permits low-income
workers to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). New Yorkers can use I-CAN!® E-file to file Federal and state returns at no cost.

I-CAN! E-File Website

I-CAN! E-File Frequently Asked Questions  

The free electronic filing system, called I-CAN! E-File, was created
by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County with funding provided by the
Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) program at LSC. It launched in 2003.  

EITC refunds and tax credits processed by
I-CAN! E-File had topped the $100 million mark as of March 1. During
last year's tax-filing season, the Legal Aid Society reported returning
about $102 million in tax refunds, EITC and other credits to low-income
workers in 45 states.

EITC is a special tax credit for
low-income working families that can return up to $5,657 to eligible
taxpayers. The EITC was created by congress in 1975 to ease the tax
burden on working families and individuals and to offset some of their
living expenses. Unfortunately 15 to 25% of those eligible for the
Earned Income Tax Credit fail to claim it, leaving billions of dollars
unclaimed each year. I-CAN!® E-File will help eligible users claim this credit

"This e-file system shows how an innovative technology project can
make a positive impact on the lives of low-income workers and their
families, especially at a time when millions of Americans have lost
jobs or have had their wages reduced following the 2008 recession,"
said Robert J. Cohen, executive director of the Orange County program
in California.

LSC President Victor M. Fortuno said the e-file system "demonstrates
the importance of leveraging our resources to better serve low-income
communities. In addition to making it easier to claim the EITC, the
technology grants awarded by LSC also help low-income Americans in
other ways, such as expanding client intake systems and increasing
assistance to unrepresented litigants."

I-CAN! E-File takes its name from the Interactive Community
Assistance Network, a self-help automated system developed by the Legal
Aid Society of Orange County to provide low-income individuals and
families with access to legal forms and legal information. I-CAN!
E-File permits taxpayers to determine if they qualify for the EITC and
then file their federal tax returns online or print out their tax forms
and mail them to the IRS.

LSC is the single largest provider of civil legal assistance for the
poor in the nation. Funded by Congress, LSC operates as an independent
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice
and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to
low-income Americans. Legal Services NYC is the LSC's New York City grantee.