In November 2005, the Michigan credit union community embraced a new program that has provided millions of Michigan families an affordable alternative to income tax filing companies and high interest refund anticipation loans. These services often charge excessive fees and onerous interest rates at the expense of those who can least afford it.
Dubbed the “Just file it! We’ll help. Campaign,” the initiative helps credit unions offer tax filers free resources to complete their state and federal income tax returns. Filers simply need to visit a participating credit union's website to complete their tax forms online. The process is fast, easy and free. The Just file it! We’ll help. initiative puts power and control back in the hands of the filer. Just file it! is a REAL Deal for consumers across the state when filing their taxes.
To view a list of credit unions who are participating (as of 1/10/12) in the Just file it! program this year, please click here.
Marketing materials available for those credit unions offering Just file it! in 2012.
The Just file it! We’ll help. program statistics for the last four years show the success of the program for residents of the state.
| Tax year |
Program year |
Number of Credit Unions |
Number of credit union filers |
Total number of filers |
| 2006 |
Year 2: 2007 |
59 |
807 |
2291 |
| 2007 |
Year 3: 2008 |
85 |
3733 |
7726 |
| 2008 |
Year 4: 2009 |
102 |
4533 |
5425 |
| 2009 |
Year 5: 2010 |
124 |
6376 |
10,145 |
| 2010 |
Year 6: 2011 |
124 |
6720 |
7,808 |
| Program Year |
Federal Refunds |
Earned Income Tax Credit |
State Refunds |
Total State and Federal Refunds and Credits |
| Year 2: 2007 |
$ 2,488,507 |
$ 1,029,142 |
$ 483,781 |
$ 2,972,288 |
| Year 3: 2008 |
$ 8,795,984 |
$ 2,305,086 |
$ 3,467,345 |
$ 12,852,336 |
| Year 4: 2009 |
$ 7,211,556 |
$ 1,384,280 |
$ 1,366,302 |
$ 10,380,522 |
| Year 5: 2010 |
$15,521,669 |
$ 2,704,825 |
$ 3,135,872 |
$ 21,878,630 |
| Year 6: 2011 |
$11,559,931 |
$2,102,568 |
$2,193,514 |
$16,322,755 |
The Michigan credit union community, through its broad geographic and socioeconomic reach, can serve as an effective catalyst for low and moderate income families and individuals to access much needed tax credits. These credits can significantly increase the income available to working people, either by providing refunds up to a maximum dollar amount or by decreasing the amount of taxes due to the IRS.
It’s money that families can use to put food on the table… move into better housing… invest in education… save for the future... and contribute back to the community.
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Regulatory Affairs
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