News Release > A Decade of Results: Entergy’s Super Tax Day a Game Changer for Working Families

A Decade of Results: Entergy’s Super Tax Day a Game Changer for Working Families

12/11/2019

Entergy in Louisiana and partners help customers claim $126 million in EITC refunds

The 2019 tax season represented a milestone for Entergy in Louisiana’s efforts to help low-income customers break the cycle of poverty. Since 2009, Entergy’s free Super Tax Day events have helped nearly 73,000 working families in Louisiana receive $126 million in Earned Income Tax Credit refunds.

“The work Entergy has done with our Super Tax Day partners has been life-changing for customers and communities,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “Through the years, we’ve expanded our partnership networks to serve more customers at more Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, and we continue seeing the positive difference it makes for families in Louisiana who qualify for the EITC program.”

Entergy sponsors nearly 300 VITA sites where customers across its four-state service area can receive free tax prep services. Employee support has been a driving force in the growth of Super Tax Day. Entergy offers IRS-certified training for volunteers who staff VITA sites throughout tax season and during annual Super Tax Day events. This year, 124 Entergy employees logged close to 3,500 volunteer hours helping customers file taxes and claim the EITC.

“Our efforts wouldn’t be possible without the participation and enthusiasm of employees,” said David Ellis, Entergy New Orleans President and CEO. “They volunteer as certified tax preparers and serve in a variety of support roles. The amount of preparation and teamwork that goes into our Super Tax Day events is truly amazing and a testament to Entergy’s leadership in the communities we serve.”

Over the last decade, Entergy Corporation has helped nearly 150,000 working families receive $258 million in EITC refunds. Entergy and its Super Tax Day partners have tracked several success stories that demonstrate the program’s impact. With free tax assistance and EITC refunds, many customers have been able to become first-time homeowners, establish savings accounts, repair credit, pursue education and accomplish other goals that help build generational wealth and financial stability. Entergy launched the first Super Tax Day campaign throughout its service area in 2011, when around 9,600 customers received close to $13 million in EITC refunds. Within two years, the number of returns and refund amounts nearly doubled as Entergy grew its Super Tax Day efforts and partnership networks.

Growth has been steady ever since, with total annual refunds exceeding approximately $30 million and total returns topping 18,000. Entergy sponsors nearly 300 VITA sites where customers across its four-state service area can receive free tax prep services

Entergy also worked with partners to expand the services available on Super Tax Day, such as financial coaching, budget workshops, free legal services, drop-off tax prep services and more. Participating banks have helped customers open savings accounts onsite at some of the VITA locations. Additionally, incentives such as scratch-off cards with cash prizes have been effective in encouraging customers to save a portion of their refunds.

To find out more about Super Tax Day, locate nearby VITA sites and learn about qualifications and documents needed, customers can visit entergy.com/freetaxhelp.

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. It has operations in southern, central and northern Louisiana.

Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility that serves Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 200,000 customers and natural gas to more than 106,000 customers. Both companies are subsidiaries of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and nearly 13,700 employees.