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From YouTube: Boston Tax Help Coalition 2020 Launch
Description
The Boston Tax Help Coalition, Mayor Walsh and the city of Boston's Office of Financial Empowerment, are here to help low-income residents of Boston file their taxes and claim their tax refunds. Join in at the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment as they kick off the 2020 tax season.
A
Hello,
everybody,
my
name
is
Ida
Franca's
and
I'm.
One
of
the
partners
that
volunteer
with
the
EITC
vitae
sites
and
I'm
with
Boston
private
and
my
colleague
Sarah
lemony,
here
with
me,
giving
me
support,
but
I
first
before
I
introduce
John.
If
it's
okay
with
you
I
wanted
to
introduce
some
of
the
people
that
are
in
the
room
and
we're
very
excited
to
have
all
of
you
here,
starting
with
the
office
of
the
Workforce
Development
I
know
they
want
some
aim
and
you're
here,
American
consumer
credit.
A
Counseling
is
here
as
well
in
urban
ish,
jbls
action
for
Boston
and
Community
Development
is
here.
The
IRS
I
just
met
the
new.
The
new
person
United
Way
is
here
as
well
Dorchester
house
and
we're
thrilled
that
all
of
you
are
here
tonight
because
is
a
collaborative
and
with
the
value
that
would
now
be
any
ITC
coalition.
So
we're
very
excited
to
have
you
all
here.
C
A
D
D
Building
ABCD
is
pleased
to
partner
with
Mayor
Walsh
and
the
city
as
a
member
of
the
Boston
Tax
hug
coalition,
and
we're
proud
to
have
been
a
founding
member
more
than
19
years
ago
or
about
19
years
ago,
and
we
thank
the
mayor
for
his
continued
leadership
in
this
important
initiative
and
obviously
the
commitment
of
his
staff,
such
as
me,
meter,
janitors
out
here,
Constance
Martin,
who
I
know,
is
back
there
and
the
rest
of
the
folks
who
helped
to
operate
it
in
such
a
coordinated
way.
We.
D
Relationship
with
the
IRS
I
haven't
met,
you
run,
but
thank
you
for
your
partnership
and
the
many
other
wonderful
nonprofits
who
have
made
this
federal
Volunteer
Income
Tax
Assistance
Program
vitae,
which
teams
IRS
certified,
prepares
with
hard-working
low
to
moderate
income.
Taxpayers
made
it
the
success.
It
is
today.
So
thank
you
all.
We.
D
To
say
that
this
year,
ABCD
has
more
than
60
volunteer
tax
preparers
so
far,
we're
always
recruiting,
including
more
than
half
through
partnerships
with
Boston
College,
Wentworth
and
Northeastern
law
school
every
year.
We
strive
to
increase
the
reach
of
the
program,
so
we
can
bring
more
resources
back
to
families
and
communities
who
need
it
most.
Yet.
D
D
Have
been
around
the
vitae
program
a
while
it's
targeted
to
those
who
traditionally
are
hard
to
reach
and
underserved
communities,
including
people
with
disabilities,
the
elderly
and
ethnically
diverse
groups
ABC
these
tax
assistant
clients
demonstrate
that
we
are
reaching
those
folks
who
we
are
targeting.
For
example,
in
our
last
year's
statistics,
over
45%
were
black
african-american
24%
Latino
22-point,
93
percent
white
14%
reported
they
had
a
disability.
D
D
D
File
for
every
tax
credit
they're
entitled
to
the
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit,
the
child
tax
credit,
the
senior
tax
credit
which
most
people
don't
know
can
bring
in
a
sample
for
a
thousand
dollars
if
they
file
for
that
tax,
credit
and
taking
advantage
of
these
credits
can
translate,
as
we
know,
into
the
kind
of
refund
that
helps
them
pay.
Rent,
put
food.
D
C
B
B
A
All
right,
Thank,
You,
Sharon
and
now
we're
gonna
I'm
gonna
be
introducing
Christine.
My
gosh
I'm
Christine
is
the
disability
Commissioner
in
88
title
2
coordinator
for
the
city
of
Boston.
She
was
appointed
by
Emily
Mayor
Menino
in
2010
and
be
appointed
by
Mayor
Walsh
in
2014,
as
she's
responsible
for
Racine
non
discrimination
on
the
basis
of
disability
and
ensuring
taxes
and
English
at
all.
Awesome
programs,
policies,
public
buildings
parks
and
right
of
way.
C
I
want
to
start
by
thanking
the
city,
the
great
team
that
we
have
I
know.
Mayor
Walsh
was
unable
to
make
it
today
so
we're
disappointed,
but
we
have
a
great
substitute.
It
means
chief
of
staff
James.
We
need
to
be
talking
about
a
few
myths
and
I
think,
of
course,
Sharon
and
John
drew
for
hosting
us
me
me
for
inviting
me
to
the
program
we
worked
closely
together
for
a
long
time.
Also.
Some
of
my
board
members
are
here:
I
saw
Jerry,
Boyd
and
sitting
in
the
back.
C
We
have
an
advisory
board
made
up
of
13
residents
with
disabilities
and
they
represent
the
neighborhood's.
They
have
different
disabilities,
different
ethnicities.
So
it's
a
really
great
group.
We
meet
once
a
month
to
talk
about
disability
issues
and
they
also
help
me
get
the
word
out
to
their
neighborhoods
and
their
communities.
So.
C
C
We've
made
progress
in
public
buildings
in
housing,
employment,
but
one
place
where
we
haven't
made.
A
lot
of
progress
is
economic
mobility.
So
programs
like
this
are
critical
to
the
disability,
community
and
I'm
such
a
strong
advocate
for
this
program
and
all
the
work
that
Mimi
has
done
and
Constance
and,
of
course,
with
Mayor
Walsh's
support.
It's
just
an
incredible
program
and
I
believe
was
celebrating
the
19th
year.
Is
that
right
and
Mimi's
been
leading
it
the
whole
time?
So
they
gave
me
a
great
job.
C
The
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit,
a
refundable
credit
for
low
and
moderate
income
residents,
like
we've
heard
for
the
2020
tax
season.
The
tax
help
Coalition
has
a
goal
providing
13,000
residents
services
and
returning
twenty
five
million
dollars
in
funds.
We're
committed
to
making
sure
that
people
with
disabilities
are
part
of
that.
One
thing
that
we've
had
a
program
we've
had
for
a
few
years
now
is
called
death
tax
days
in
these
are
held
506
ETR
each
year
with
American
sign
language
interpreters.
C
Me
me
and
my
chief
of
staff
just
to
be
doing
in
who
speak
sign
language
they
organize
it.
So
they
have
different
slots
filled
and
over
the
last
four
or
five
years
they
have
served
hundreds
and
hundreds
of
deaf
residents
of
Boston,
and
this
is
such
a
great
thing,
because
people
who
are
deaf,
it's
a
communication
disability.
So
it's
really
a
barrier
to
try
to
find
tax
services
and
financial
counseling
for
some
of
them
staff.
C
So
the
fact
that
Mimi
has
highlighted
that
as
a
need
and
has
put
all
her
effort
and
resources
behind
it
speaks
volumes
to
her
understanding
of
what
we
need
in
the
city
and
like
I
said.
Without
the
support
about
helping
Human
Services
staff,
I
see
some
of
them
around
tables.
Today
it
may
Walsh
would
wouldn't
be
able
to
do
what
we
do.
C
C
I'm
worried
with
maybe
like
I
said
for
a
few
years,
and
one
thing
we
worked
on
when
I
first
came
onto
the
committee
was
making
sure
that
all
the
tax
sites
are
accessible,
so
I
know
the
committee's
a
lot
of
hard
work
on
that,
and
we
ensure
that
in
the
messaging
that
goes
out,
people
know
that
the
all
the
sites
have
wheelchair
access.
If
they
need
an
accommodation,
they
can
call
me
me,
oh,
they
could
call
me
and
just
make
sure
that
they
can
get
their
needs
met.
C
So
we've
come
a
long
way
with
their
tax
credit
days,
so
I'm
so
pleased
to
be
celebrating.
If
you
hit
tonight
on
this
fully
inclusive
advert
and
I
really
want
to
emphasize
that
we
want
to
get
the
word
out.
I
know
you
all
have
your
own
communities
where
you'll
spread
the
word,
but
you
can
be
sure
that
I
will
be
spreading.
C
This
word
to
people
with
disabilities
because,
like
I
said
they
can
get
a
start,
a
foot
in
the
door,
the
cash
that
they
get
back
can
really
make
the
difference
between
losing
a
home
or
buying
groceries
or
medication.
We
know
that
people
with
disabilities
Boston
residents
pay
high
rents;
sometimes
they
have
to
choose
between
groceries
and
medication.
So
this
can
make
a
real
difference
in
people's
lives.
It's
actual
real
dollars
that
they
can
spend
to
just
have
a
really
good
life.
So.
A
F
F
Mayor
Marty,
Walsh
and
gasps
good
evening.
It's
a
pleasure
to
have
been
asked
to
participate
in
this
very
important
annual
event.
So,
when
I
found
taxpayer
like
myself
a
bust
on
tax
cap
collision
free
tax
preparation
program,
I
am
NOT
a
customer
making
species
so
I'm
a
bit
nervous.
The
last
time
I
ever
made
the
last
time
I
ever
had
to
do.
Speech
was
in
college
and
he
was
in
my
own
language
and
February.
B
F
I
went
to
those
very
center
for
financial
movement
with
the
co-worker
who
had
always
used
the
services
and
I
had
my
tax
return
done.
I
found
the
process
interesting
and
caring
because
it
was
like
because
it
was.
It
was
not
like
a
rule,
a
place
where
you
just
start
until
your
turn
and
the
purpura.
Does
your
tax
return
at
the
center
I
appreciate
that
who
the
financial,
the
financial
checkup
I
had
to
change.
F
F
In
2013
I
went
to
a
divorce
that
later
police
me
and
a
poor
financial
situation
been
the
mother
of
two
girls,
one
who
is
in
private
high
school
and
the
other
one
is
a
sophomore
in
college
working
hard
to
be
both
of
the
tuitions
and
stretching
every
dollar
to
pay
bills.
It's
all
hadn't
gotten
my
financial,
because
I
was
worried
about
how
I
could
pay
for
it
all.
F
But
from
my
very
first
coaching
meeting
with
mr.
Rodriguez,
my
financial
coach
I
felt
hopeful.
We
immediately
create
a
budget
and
begun
discussed,
discussing
a
work
plan
to
take
control
of
managing
my
finances
and
cancel
my
contract
of
a
debt
consultation
company.
We
contact
them,
who
had
been
paying
$600
plus
fee
I,
never
knew
our
masterful
work
each
month,
each
month
for
over
a
year
with
no
improvement
in
my
credit
card,
mr.
Rodriguez
convincing
them
to
release
me
from
the
build
by
the
end
contract
of
no
cars.
F
F
A
G
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
that
incredible
story
and
I
want
to
echo
what
others
have
said
before
me
and
thank
John
drew
and
ABCD
for
hosting
us
and
trin
win
from
the
city's
office
of
financial
empowerment
for
their
role
in
this
program
as
well.
My
name's
Dave
Sweeney
I'm,
the
mayor's
chief
of
staff
and
former
CFO
of
the
city
as
well,
and
I'm,
happy
to
officially
launch
the
19th
tax
season
with
the
Boston
tax
help
coalition.
G
This
is
also
our
14th
annual
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit
Awareness
Day.
So
thank
you
to
all
the
staff,
volunteers
and
supporters
here
who
make
this
possible.
I
also
want
to
recognize
a
new
funder
that
we
have
this
year,
the
SunTrust
foundation,
which
has
contributed
$50,000
to
support
our
credit
building
work.
The
managing
directors
Jonathan
David
Carol-
are
here
today
and
thank
you.
G
Believe
it
or
not,
tax
season
isn't
something
that
people
usually
get
excited
about,
but
in
Boston
we're
trying
to
change
that.
We
found
a
way
to
make
things
a
little
bit
easier
for
hard-working
families
and
every
year
we
helped
thousands
of
people
get
all
the
credit
and
tax
returns
that
they've
earned,
including
the
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit,
and
a
child
tax
credit,
the
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit
and
the
child
tax
cut
our
fulamatu
poverty,
including
families
and
children,
and
we
help
take
advantage
of
these
resources.
We
help
people
take
advantage
of
those
resources.
G
We
also
provide
financial
education
and
credit
building
strategies
to
last
year
alone.
Last
year,
the
Boston
tax
help
coalition
had
one
of
its
most
successful
seasons.
Ever
with
more
than
three
hundred
volunteers,
helping
to
prepare
nearly
13,000
returns
and
eight
languages,
more
than
23
million
dollars
went
back
into
people's
pockets
and
into
our
local
economy.
Twelve
percent
of
people
who
participated
were
lifted
over
the
poverty
poverty
line
through
their
participation
last
year
was
a
big
success,
but
we
know
there
are
many
more
people
out
there
who
could
benefit
from
these
resources.
G
So,
let's
get
out
the
word:
Ambassadors
are
dropping
off
flyers
in
several
different
languages
and
we're
opening
all
of
our
tax
sites.
This
week
this
year
the
cities
call
to
action.
As
this
help
us
reach
more
people,
we're
asking
all
of
our
partner
organizations
to
help
us
generate
more
buzz
about
this
excellent
program.
There
are
a
lot
of
hard-working
people
out
there
who
could
have
a
lot
more
money
in
their
pocket
this
tax
season,
let's
make
sure
they
don't
miss
out
so
before
I
hand.
G
This
off
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
works
on
this
program
year
after
year,
the
office
of
financial
empowerment,
all
the
great
partner
organizations,
the
staff
and
volunteers
I
hope
you
all
know
you're
making
a
meaningful
difference
in
people's
lives.
This
program
is
very
important
to
the
mayor
and
to
the
city
and
I
want
to
thank
you
all
for
making
it
a
great
success.
A
A
The
year
Walsh
office
of
financial
empowerment
and
is
the
director
of
the
Boston
tax
health
coalition,
as
she
guided
this
partnership
of
community
base
of
nonprofits
members
of
the
business
community,
federal
regulators
and
government
agencies
since
2001,
which
is
pretty
amazing,
she
said
a
very
young
to
since
its
founding.
The
tax
Coalition
has
began
more
than
one
hundred
sixty-three
thousand
free
tax
Freddie
returns.
A
E
Thank
you,
everybody
thank
you
so
much
for
being
here
and
thank
Dave
Sweeney
and
all
the
staff
and
organizations
partner
organizations
I
also
did
want
to
recognize
the
Cottonwood
Square
health
center
who's
in
the
house.
Thank
You,
Boston
Bilt's
credit
is
here
and
the
Codman
square
n
DC
a
long-standing
partnership
with
with
that
organization,
and
also
just
wanted
to
thank
our
funders.
E
I
wanted
to
give
a
shout
out
to
our
funders
as
well:
Bank
of
America,
the
Frank
W
and
Carl
s,
Adams
Memorial,
Fund,
Paul
and
Edith
Babson
foundation,
Boston
private
bank
and
Trust
Eastern
Bank
Greater
Boston,
Legal,
Services,
Mass
Department
of
Revenue.
We
got
a
$100,000
grant
from
dor
this
year,
which
is
really
impressive.
E
E
E
Abcd
again
and
Sharon,
Scott,
Chandler
and
biani
for
all
the
amazing
work
that
you
do
and
thank
you
for
hosting
us
today.
Abcd
is
a
special
partner,
as
Sharon
said,
they've
been
with
us,
since
our
first
tax
season
launched
19
years
ago,
when
John
drew
and
I
think
really.
A
lot
of
the
folks
who
were
still
at
the
table
did
our
first
community
breakfast
at
Franklin
Park.
So
thank
you
so
much
for
that
and
kind
of
being
part
of
this
collaboration
for
what
is
close
to
two
decades.
E
E
Let
people
know
and
brought
people
to
the
tax
sites.
Boston
is
a
multicultural
city,
that's
transformed
over
the
past
20
years,
and
so
in
20.
In
2005,
we
created
the
Ambassador
Program,
there's
a
couple
of
ambassadors,
the
room
today,
Andrei
Linde
people
who
were
ambassadors.
You
want
to
raise
her
hands.
E
C
E
We
wanted
to
make
sure
that
the
immigrants
in
the
community
felt
welcomed
and
included
in
our
tax
coalition
ambassador.
The
ambassador
program
was
created
to
meet
the
needs
of
Boston's
immigrant
communities
and
to
make
sure
that
we
provided
taxes
and
a
culturally
competent
multicultural
and
multilingual
fashion
each
tax
season.
We
hire
and
train
bilingual
ambassadors
to
provide
translation
and
interpretation
services
to
translate
the
Flyers
and
provide
outreach
into
their
communities.
Additionally,
the
ambassadors
help
with
intake
tax
preparation
and
credit
building
in
their
languages,
providing
culturally
competent
access
to
financial
wellness
services.
E
Over
the
years,
we've
had
ambassadors
who
speak
Chinese,
Vietnamese,
Spanish,
Cape,
Verdean,
Creole,
Portuguese,
Haitian,
Creole,
Somali
and
Arabic,
and
in
fact,
Naima,
who
was
the
Somali
ambassador
for
five
years,
translates
the
Flyers
for
us
every
year.
She
makes
sure
that
people
at
react
know
about
this.
Service,
brings
people
to
the
tax
sights
so
she's
still
doing
it,
even
though
she's
not
an
official
ambassador,
so
we're
deeply
woven
into
the
fabric
of
the
city.
E
E
The
Boston
tax
help
coalition
is
answering
the
need
for
full
inclusion
with
their
intimate
knowledge
of
their
own
communities.
Our
ambassadors
enhance
the
financial
well-being
of
our
immigrant
communities,
so
I
just
want
to
thank
all
of
you
that
the
new
ambassadors
and
folks
who've
been
doing
this
for
a
long
time.
It's
really
remarkable
that
we've
been
able
to
expand
and
do
this
work
and
also
ABCD
and
all
these
other
sites
have
people
have
site.
E
Volunteers
and
staff,
who
speak
many
many
languages,
so
we
are
truly
inclusive,
so
there
are
Flyers
here
today
as
I
want
to
pick
up
the
call
that
the
Dave
Sweeney
suggested.
We
have
flyers
and
eight
languages
and
in
English
so
before
you
leave,
you
must
take
some
there's,
also
Flyers
for
our
new
Bank
on
program
Michaels
in
the
back.
If
you
want
to
get
to
know
about
Bank
on
and
banking
inclusion
services,
you
could
stop
by
his
table
urban
edges
here
also
with
the
table.
E
We
want
to
make
sure
that
we
get
the
word
out
that
we
let
people
know
about
this
important
service
for
folks.
The
sites
are
opening
this
week
next
week,
Dorchester
house
should
be
opening
and
Codman,
and
our
goal
is
to
serve
13,000
people
this
year
and
we
just
want
to
make
sure
that
that
everybody
is
knows
what
what
in
fact
is
the
opportunities
here
for
them.
So
with
that
I
just
wanted
to
thank
everybody
for
being
here.