U.S. Senator Al Franken to visit free tax preparation clinic this Saturday

MEDIA ALERT
February 17, 2011
Stacy Opitz
651-287-0187, x120
651-329-8227 (cell)
sopitz@accountabilitymn.org

U.S. Senator Al Franken to visit free tax preparation clinic this Saturday

AccountAbility Minnesota provides free tax preparation and financial services that ensure low-income Minnesotans claim and keep 100% of the tax credits they have earned, providing timely help for using tax refunds to build economic security.

 WHO:  U.S. Senator Al Franken, AccountAbility Minnesota Executive Director Tracy Fischman, and free tax preparation volunteers and customers.

WHAT:  AccountAbility Minnesota welcomes Senator Franken to one of its 13 free tax clinics, where he will see how free tax assistance and tax credits are helping hard-working, low-income families who struggle to make ends meet and move towards economic security.

WHEN:  Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. Short media availability at the end of the visit.

WHERE:  AccountAbility Minnesota, 2610 University Ave. W. Suite 450, St. Paul, MN 55114 (located in the Court West Building two blocks west of Highway 280 on University Ave.)

WHY:  Federal and state tax credits can significantly boost the incomes of low-wage American workers.  These tax refunds benefit families and help stimulate the economy.  AccountAbility Minnesota's low-income families keep 100% of the tax refunds they have earned, and are encouraged to save a portion

of their refund for their future. The demand for free tax assistance and related financial services has grown significantly over the years, yet too many people who are eligible for our services and income-boosting tax credits are not utilizing and claiming them. Funding to support free tax assistance is also at risk. Senator Franken serves as a powerful messenger to encourage low-and moderate-income taxpayers to utilize free tax assistance, claim the tax credits they are due, and move towards financial security by saving and accumulating assets.

About AccountAbility Minnesota
AccountAbility Minnesota is in its 39^th year of helping low-income taxpayers increase their income and build wealth. The organization was established by a group of social-justice minded accountants committed to ensuring that one’s ability to receive tax assistance – and related financial services – should not depend solely on one’s ability to pay. Over the years, AccountAbility Minnesota has expanded its free tax preparation services by integrating access to affordable financial services that facilitate savings and by helping to build capacity of other organizations across the state to offer free tax and financial services to low-income communities. In 2010, by leveraging the help of nearly 800 volunteers, AccountAbility Minnesota and its partners cross the state helped 20,000 taxpayers receive $35.8 million in tax refunds.