Our Services

We offer a variety of direct services to help Illinois' low-income families move from falling behind to getting ahead.

Tax Help

• Provide low-wage workers with free, high quality tax preparation and an alternative to paid tax preparers. We operate volunteer-driven tax sites in more than 30 Illinois communities – making the Center’s free tax prep program the largest and one of the oldest statewide program of its kind.


• Through our tax clinic, provide free, professional legal services to low-wage taxpayers facing an IRS controversy. Since 2005, we have resolved over 500 cases, saving families about $835,000 in taxes.


• Offer tax training for small businesses, such as childcare providers, to establish sound business practices, build their knowledge of record keeping and self-employment tax laws.


• Develop tax resources for foster care families including a tax guide, tax training, and advocacy -- ensuring foster parents receive the maximum financial benefits to meet their foster child's needs.

• Promote financial education and sound money practices -- helping cut ties to predatory financial services. We have helped over 5,000 families open bank accounts and offer workshops in Chicago’s underserved communities to reach thousands more.
  


• Educating low-wage workers at the workplace. Working with employers, we make it easy for workers to receive one-on-one financial counseling and apply for and receive tax credits and public benefits such as children’s health insurance. Learn more.