Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id OAA12693; Mon, 7 Feb 2000 14:30:22 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 14:30:22 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <000101bf7194$b4d1a580$1b7e1f26@g9qtw> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Michael O'Connor" <mikeoc@earthlink.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:2694] Literacy and the Tax System X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook 8.5, Build 4.71.2173.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1208 Lines: 28 I am conducting research for the American Tax Policy Institute on the tax preparation burdens of lower income families. The motivation for this project arises from two concerns: first that many lower income filers miss claiming valuable benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit; and other families incorrectly claim benefits and incur substantial repayment obligations to the IRS. Two principle reports, "The State of Literacy in America" (NIFL 1998) and "Literacy and Dependency" (ETS 1995) indicate that limited literacy is a major factor for lower income families. These reports suggest that most lower income families have such limited literacy skills as to require some assistance in order to successfully complete multiple, complex, tax forms. My inquiry is whether there are any studies that have directly assessed litereacy skills needed to complete individual income tax forms, and whether there are any efforts to incorporate tax forms and instructions into adult literacy curricula. Any other suggestions for further documenting this link will be appreciated. Michael A. O'Connor 1427 W. Howard St. Chicago, IL 60626 phone: 773-262-2199 fax: 773-338-8397 e-mail: mikeoc@earthlink.net
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