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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Community groups and organizations can begin signing up for free computers as part of a program initiated by the Cherokee Nation and the Internal Revenue Service.

The Cherokee Nation will distribute 300 computers to communities and community organizations within its jurisdictional area, with a goal of increasing the money returned to Cherokee people through use of the Earned Income Tax Credit. The communities will have to agree to provide volunteers, who will be trained for tax assistance to low-income individuals.

"Communities can use the computers for other purposes throughout the year", said Ustee Grass, who heads up the project for the Cherokee Nation. "But during tax season, we’ll have trained volunteers available to help people file their returns electronically and see if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit."

IRS data shows that many Native Americans do not claim the EITC, even though they are eligible. Claiming the credit could mean a significantly larger tax refund; the average refund for households claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit was $1700 nationwide.

The Cherokee Nation Adult Education staff completed more than 725 federal tax returns last year, working with just 8 computers. Three hundred of those returns qualified for the EITC, with the average credit being more than $1200, resulting in more than $350,000 coming back to local communities and individuals.

"The potential impact of utilizing 300 computers is very exciting", Grass said.

The Cherokee Nation will evaluate the location of the computers based on each community or organization’s success in filing season. Communities interested in participating in this program must complete a two-page application by noon on August 27. Applications are located in Cherokee FIRST at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. For more information, or to have an application sent to you, call 918-456-0671 (ext. 2843 Ustee Grass) or (ext. 2933 Sandy Long).