Archive: Around Town

This tax season will probably be more difficult than most for local families as they face economic uncertainty and rising costs. Now more than ever, it is critical that working families know exactly what tax benefits they are eligible for so they can keep more of their hard-earned money.  This is why I am reaching out to my constituents in every corner of our district to make sure they know about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well as where to go for free help preparing their tax return. I urge everyone to check to see if you are eligible for this tax credit and take advantage of free tax help.

The EITC is the federal government’s largest program benefiting lower earning workers. It is available to workers with earned income of or below $38,646 ($41,646 if married filing jointly) for families with two or more children; $33,995 ($36,995 if married filing jointly) for families with one child or $12,880 ($15,880 if married filing jointly) for individuals with no children. Everyone within these income brackets should check to see if they qualify. Some individuals and families may qualify for the credit for the first time this year because of unemployment or other changes in financial, marital or parental status.

For a family with two children, the EITC could put as much as $4,824 back into the family budget; $2,917 for a family with one child, or up to $438 for a worker with no children. In New York, approximately 1,525,175 recipients received $2,992,046,210 in benefits in 2007 – an economic stimulus for working families.

Even though this tax credit exists, too many families don’t know about it and don’t get the tax help they need to claim it. The IRS estimates that 20 to 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to claim the EITC.

One reason some people don’t claim this tax credit is because to get the EITC you must file tax returns, even if you aren’t required to file. Claiming the EITC can seem like a complex process, which is why free help is available to help workers determine eligibility and claim the credit. Throughout the area there are volunteer tax assistance sites or, for those who cannot visit a site during hours/days of operation, local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers.

I hope everyone takes advantage of community centers and tax preparation sites to claim the EITC. Please contact one of my district offices toll free in NYS at 1-800-235-2525 and my staff can direct you to the nearest tax help center or you can visit my website . You can also get more information on the IRS website .

Helping families connect with free tax assistance and claim the EITC is just one of the many things I am doing to make sure local families keep more of the hard-earned money. I will continue to support efforts in Congress to alleviate the tax burden on working families and fight for critical tax relief.

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