Compare Bills

Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill establishes a grant program at North Carolina community colleges to train students as tax preparers through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and provides funding to United Way of North Carolina to expand VITA services. The bill allocates approximately $2.83 million to help low-income North Carolinians claim federal tax credits they may be missing, with an estimated average benefit of $2,812 per eligible filer.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses an estimated 225,000 North Carolinians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit but don't claim it, potentially returning hundreds of millions of dollars to working families.
• •The program creates win-win opportunities by providing paid work experience for community college students while expanding free tax preparation services to low-income residents and underserved populations including people with disabilities and limited English speakers.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether state funds should supplement a federal IRS program, argue the $2.83 million investment may have limited reach given the number of eligible filers, or raise concerns about whether community colleges are the most efficient delivery mechanism compared to existing nonprofit partners.
• •Some might also question whether recurring funding commitments are sustainable or whether this represents appropriate use of state budget resources compared to other priorities.