Go Direct - Tax Prep Coalition Sell Sheet
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Home  »  Partners  »  Tax Prep Coalition Sell Sheet  


Volunteer Tax Prep Program – Go Direct and the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard®

Coalitions and Site Managers

Add direct deposit and the Direct Express card to asset-building strategies you offer taxpayers

As part of its commitment to asset-building at free tax preparation sites, the Internal Revenue Service is working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to encourage taxpayers who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to sign up for safer, easier electronic payments. Two options are available:

 
  • Direct deposit: Go Direct is a national campaign that motivates people who have checking or savings accounts to switch to direct deposit.
  • The NEW Direct Express card: a Treasury-recommended prepaid debit card that provides a safe, user-friendly option for people without bank accounts.
Over the past two years, thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites in nearly 45 states around the country have helped taxpayers make the switch to direct deposit for federal benefits. They’ve handed out Go Direct materials, shared Go Direct information in financial literacy presentations and helped people sign up for direct deposit onsite. In 2009, the IRS and Treasury will be working together to inform people about both direct deposit and the Direct Express card. Switching to an electronic payment method is a positive step for taxpayers on their way to financial literacy, and can also help protect them against identity theft and fraud.
 
What does volunteer tax prep have to do with Go Direct and the Direct Express card?
 
Each year, millions of people turn to volunteer-run sites for help preparing their taxes. Many of the taxpayers who qualify to use these services also receive Social Security, SSI or VA Compensation and Pension payments by check. Since taxpayers already have their financial documents on hand, volunteers can easily help them sign up for direct deposit or the Direct Express card on the spot. It only takes a few minutes.
 
Why should your coalition or site participate in Treasury’s effort?
 
Your main focus during tax season is to help taxpayers file a quality tax return and claim their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or other tax credits. Helping them make wise financial decisions through financial literacy and safety education is important too. Treasury understands your priorities and has created its direct deposit and Direct Express card program with your needs in mind. Many taxpayers who qualify to use free tax preparation services also receive Social Security, SSI or VA Compensation and Penstion payments by check.
 
5 great reasons to support Treasury’s effort
 
  1. Go Direct and the Direct Express card offer a way for VITA and TCE sites to achieve important goals around financial literacy and safety.
  2. Programming for Go Direct and the Direct Express card is easy to implement and will not take much-needed time away from preparing a quality return. Taxpayers can enroll online, by phone or by filling out a simple paper form.
  3. All Go Direct and Direct Express card materials (fliers, posters, table display cards, videos, etc.) and training tools are free.
  4. Your Go Direct and Direct Express card campaign representative can help recruit financial institutions or community partners for your coalition or site from the Go Direct partner network (in select cities).
  5. Your Go Direct and Direct Express card campaign representative can help with Super Saturday and other special events during tax season by providing materials to hand out.
Next steps

Invite a representative from Treasury’s effort to your next planning meeting or training session. Our campaign representatives from around the country will work with you to add Go Direct and the Direct Express card programming to your VITA and TCE sites:
 
  • Order free Go Direct materials at www.GoDirect.org and free Direct Express card materials at www.USDirectExpress.com, and display and distribute them at your site(s).
  • Train volunteers on the basics of Go Direct and the Direct Express card.
  • Work with campaign representatives to help publicize your sites.
Get started now!

Contact your local campaign representative or call the partner line at 952-346-6055. 
 
 

This campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks
Para Español, visite www.DirectoASuCuenta.org.