Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations

Designed by CEMVO, the RAISE project aims to tackle financial exclusion experienced by minority ethnic communities by running a number of community based events to raise awareness and educating minority ethnic communities in Britain about Tax credits, the Child Trust Fund scheme and obligations to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HM Revenue & Customs) on tax and VAT related issues.

The take up of Tax credits and the Child Trust Fund has traditionally been low due to lack of awareness about where people can seek help and advice. As part of this innovative project CEMVO is also running a series of workshops to help individuals and small organisations address a range of tax and VAT related issues.

Tax credits are payments from the government to help with everyday costs. If you're responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may be eligible for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but earn low wages, you may be eligible for Working Tax Credit.  Tax credit is not a tax – it is money that you receive regularly and it is not deducted from your tax bill either - in fact you can get it even if you do not pay tax.

The Child Trust Fund is a long-term savings and investment account, designed to give children a financial head start in life.  The money in it belongs to your child and is locked away until they are 18, so it has a long time to grow.  If your child was born on or after 1st September 2002 and is eligible for a Child Trust Fund account, they will automatically receive a £250 voucher to kick start their savings.

As well as distributing benefits, the Government collects tax to pay for public services. Key taxes that may have to paid include: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, Stamp Duty, VAT and other duties. The RAISE project aims to help individuals, small to medium enterprises and voluntary and community organisations understand the necessity to pay tax, national insurance and VAT in order to meet legal obligations to HM Revenue & Customs.

CEMVO hopes to have reached out to hundreds of individuals, families and community based groups from minority ethnic communities across England and Wales by the end of the project through conducting;

• A series of information sessions to raise awareness of and help clients to apply for Tax credits and Child Trust Fund scheme.
• Community based workshops to raise awareness and help clients to address a range of tax and VAT related issues such as self employment, registering for a National Insurance number etc.

The events will run until the end of March 2008 throughout England and Wales.

To find out more about events happening in your area, please see our project information leaflet for contact details.