Americorps Recovers Record $84 Million in Tax Breaks for Low-Income Taxpayers

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, announced on Friday that it had recovered a record-breaking $84 million in overlooked deductions, credits, and tax breaks for low-income Americans during the 2023 tax season. Through its collaboration with local non-profit organizations, AmeriCorps assisted more than 113,000 taxpayers in over 130 cities, according to a press release.

Created by President Bill Clinton in 1993, AmeriCorps works annually with non-profits to ensure that eligible low-income taxpayers receive all the tax breaks and credits they are entitled to. In the previous year, the organization recovered approximately $14 million for taxpayers, as stated by AmeriCorps spokesman Jonah Bryson to CNN. The significant increase in the recovery amount was attributed to the expansion of volunteers’ reach in more cities, sites, and partnerships with non-profit organizations.

“We’ve been supporting tax relief programs nationwide for over 20 years, and they’re just one of many ways our network of service members support low-income families across America,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith in an interview with CNN. He emphasized that the recovered funds were being directed back into the pockets of those who needed it most.

Non-profit executives expressed their gratitude for the invaluable assistance provided by AmeriCorps. Nathan Davis, senior director of Mile High United Way, revealed that his organization operated 30 tax preparation sites across Colorado in 2023, and 13 of those sites would not have been possible without the partnership with AmeriCorps. Davis explained that the additional support enabled his team to offer more stable hours and serve a greater number of people in need.

Apart from engaging youth volunteers, AmeriCorps also extended its assistance to low-income taxpayer assistance organizations through the AmeriCorps Seniors program. This program enables individuals aged 55 and older to contribute to their local communities. Atalay Sergi, the Director of the AmeriCorps Seniors program, shared that over 1,890 volunteers participated in providing tax preparation services. Sergi highlighted the significant impact made by these volunteers, generating more than $69 million in tax returns for the year 2022, which translates to a value of $36,721 per AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer.