Nursing partnership urges people to apply for tax credits

A University of California Los Angeles program uses nurses as trusted messengers to ensure taxpayers access and maximize their receipt of federal tax credits. An estimated $12 billion in federal tax credits go unclaimed each year because 20% to 30% of people who are eligible to receive the credits incorrectly fill out their tax forms, or do not file at all. These people are disproportionately people of color, women and those who live in rural areas. Tax credits that give people cash ─ such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit ─ are among the most effective anti-poverty tools available and can impact people’s financial security and health. A free partner toolkit is available in English and Spanish for nurses or other health care workers to guide conversations about tax credits with patients and families. (Campaign for Action blog article, 1/31/23)