Economic Empowerment Update

Since 2019 MFS has been working at a Statewide level with several partners to help improve access to low income tax support. As one of the largest providers of free, low income tax support in the State we had a lot to say about how Oregon might help tens of thousands of people receive important tax credits. 

We recently  leveraged our expertise to design an innovative pilot program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services, built a strong relationship with the Oregon Community Foundation to accelerate this work and connected with a national movement to improve tax time support. Most recently, we supported the development of legislation for this upcoming short legislative session that aims to provide State-wide support for culturally specific, culturally responsive and Tribal governments interested in helping more low income people obtain critical tax credits. 

Tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the recent economic stimulus can have a dramatic impact on poverty reduction, especially the reduction of childhood poverty as evidenced by the ways families are spending the CTC.  If Oregon were to increase its EITC take-up from its current 73.1 percent to the national average of 78.6 percent, low-income families would have access to $27 million in EITC funds and $5 million in Child Tax Credit (CTC) Funds annually.