summary
Introduced
04/01/2025
04/01/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM AT NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO EXPAND INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE IN THE STATE AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO THE UNITED WAY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO EXPAND ITS VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Whereas, it is estimated that 225,000 North Carolina filers are eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit but do not claim the credit; and Whereas, it is estimated that the average Earned Income Tax Credit is about $2,812 per filer; and Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides a federal program, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, for which grants are available. VITA provides for individuals who make below a certain income threshold per year to have their taxes completed by an IRS-certified individual for free, allowing them to take full advantage of every federal tax credit and return more of North Carolina's hard-earned dollars to our citizens, putting more money into our economy; and Whereas, community colleges can provide work-based learning opportunities for students; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill establishes a comprehensive grant program to expand the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program across North Carolina community colleges, aimed at helping low-income residents access free tax preparation services. The program will require participating community colleges to offer specialized courses that train students to become certified IRS tax preparers, with students committing to 15 hours per week during tax season and receiving hourly compensation. The State Board of Community Colleges will receive $1,380,000 in nonrecurring funds and $610,000 in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement the program, which includes creating curriculum, providing bonuses to faculty champions, hiring personnel, and establishing work-based learning opportunities. Additionally, the bill allocates $840,000 to the United Way of North Carolina to expand its VITA program, with funds dedicated to increasing VITA locations, supporting program evaluation, providing software and supplies, and improving marketing with multilingual materials and financial education resources. The VITA program targets individuals earning up to $67,000 annually, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers, with the goal of helping more North Carolinians access tax credits and improve their financial situations.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (28)
Vernetta Alston (D)*,
Sarah Crawford (D)*,
Phil Rubin (D)*,
Brian Turner (D)*,
Eric Ager (D),
Amber Baker (D),
Cynthia Ball (D),
Gloristine Brown (D),
Allen Buansi (D),
Deb Butler (D),
Becky Carney (D),
Maria Cervania (D),
Tracy Clark (D),
Allison Dahle (D),
Aisha Dew (D),
Julia Greenfield (D),
Pricey Harrison (D),
Zack Hawkins (D),
Beth Helfrich (D),
Frances Jackson (D),
Monika Johnson-Hostler (D),
Abe Jones (D),
Jordan Lopez (D),
Nasif Majeed (D),
Marcia Morey (D),
Garland Pierce (D),
Renée Price (D),
James Roberson (D),
Last Action
Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 04/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H668 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H668v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H668v0.pdf |
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