NC Working Families Economic Relief Act
Plain English Summary
This bill creates a grant program at North Carolina community colleges to train students as tax preparers through the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, while also providing funding to United Way of North Carolina to expand VITA services. The bill aims to help low-income North Carolinians claim federal tax credits they are eligible for but currently do not claim.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue the bill helps approximately 225,000 eligible North Carolinians claim an average of $2,894 in Earned Income Tax Credits they are missing, returning money to working families and boosting the local economy. The bill also provides work-based learning opportunities for community college students while addressing a community need, creating trained tax preparers and expanding access to free tax preparation services in underserved areas.
Arguments Against
Opponents may question whether the state should fund federal tax credit awareness and preparation services, arguing this is primarily a federal responsibility. Some may also be concerned about the total cost ($2.83 million) and whether community colleges are the most efficient delivery mechanism, or whether these funds could be better used for other state priorities or would be more effective if directed differently.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 29
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 66
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 92
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 112
Cosponsors (36)
Representative · District 102
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 116
Representative · District 49
Representative · District 88
Representative · District 58
Representative · District 18
Representative · District 30
Representative · District 11
Representative · District 101
Representative · District 99
Representative · District 36
Representative · District 72
Representative · District 38
Representative · District 39
Representative · District 56
Representative · District 8
Representative · District 71
Representative · District 103
Representative · District 41
Representative · District 45
Representative · District 2
Representative · District 21
Representative · District 34
Representative · District 115
Representative · District 50
Representative · District 114
Representative · District 57
Representative · District 32
Representative · District 100
Representative · District 98
Representative · District 33
Representative · District 27
Representative · District 24
Representative · District 40