Contributions of the Earned Income Tax Credit to Community Development in Indian Country

This joint project of the Center for Social Development and the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies investigated the potential of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to serve as part of a poverty alleviation strategy in Indian Country. Researchers collected data from more than 9,000 tax returns that were filed at 14 Voluntary Income Tax Assistance sites serving Indian Country. We used the data to determine the number of Native community members who are eligible for EITC, the amount of money flowing to Native community members through EITC, potential uses of EITC income, and opportunities to build community infrastructure and programs that could help EITC and other tax dollars remain in Native communities and serve as leverage for further asset building.

Funding Partners: Annie E. Casey Foundation, First Nations Development Institute, and Native Financial Education Coalition.

---

Principal Investigators

Contact