Take Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit

February 28, 2007

Washington, D.C. - It's Tax Time again, but there is good news! Working families may qualify for credits that reduce their tax burden.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an important anti-poverty and work incentive program that is targeted to individuals and families who earn low to moderate wages. But lots of Americans don't even know about it. According to EITC Carolinas, a non-profit network of community tax resources for the Carolinas, eligible taxpayers in North Carolina lose between $93 million and $176 million of their own money each year because they do not claim federal taxes due back to them through the Earned Income Tax Credit.

To qualify for the EITC, you (or your spouse) must have a job, have wages below a certain level, and file a federal tax return. For tax year 2006, workers with no children must have earned income below $12,120 to receive the credit. Workers with one child must have an earned income below $32,001 to be eligible, and workers with two or more children must be below $36,348 in earned income to qualify for the EIC (these limits are $2,000 higher for workers filing a joint tax return).

Based on the income guidelines, the EITC lowers or even eliminates income tax liability. If taxes have already been deducted from an eligible worker's pay check, or if the credit is larger than taxes owed, the worker will receive a refund check from the IRS after filing their return.

To find out if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, contact the IRS at www.irs-eitc.info or 1-800-Tax-1040 (829-1040), or EITC Carolinas at www.eitc-carolinas.org or 1-888-927-3230.

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers

For general assistance with:

• Accepting Cash payments

• Account Inquiries (help with letters, notices and levies on your wages or bank account)

• Adjustments (changes to tax account information or payments)

• Alien Clearances (Sailing Permits)

• Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order (ATAO)

• Copies of Tax Returns & Transcripts (Verifiable extreme hardships only; such as victims of Hurricanes, medical emergencies, etc.)

• Help with preparing Form 2290 (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax)

• Multilingual Assistance (over 150 languages translated)

• Federal Tax Return Preparation (If you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or your Income is less than $39,000.00)

• Payments/Payment Arrangements