Sample News Release for Use During the Filing Season

 

Sample News Release for Promoting EITC. Copy, paste into your template, and fill in your organization's information where indicated in [green italics]. Or, use this sample to create your own.

 

WORKERS MAY QUALIFTY FOR FEDERAL TAX CREDIT

([city], [state])--[Enter your organization's name] wants to make life a little easier for workers by alerting them about a special tax credit that can put money in their pockets.

If you work, EITC can be a boost to you, your family and your community. As part of our commitment to the communities we serve, we want our customers to know about EITC so they get all the money they're due, said [Spokesperson's name and title]. 

With the exception of some who receive certain disability income, you must work for wages, or run a business or a farm to qualify for EITC. Workers who made less than $50,270 should see if they qualify for EITC at www.irs.gov/eitc by using the EITC Assistant, an interactive tool that shows who qualifies for the credit and the amount of the credit. Those who qualfiy for the credit can get free return preparation through volunteer sites. IRS certified volunteers will prepare your return and determine if you qualify for the EITC and other refundable credits. Find a location for free tax return preparation near you at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers  [Eliminate the following if 211 or 311 is not available in your community] or locate a volunteer site through your community's [elininate one] 211 or 311 number.

Join the millions who already received the EITC they earned. Last year, the credit returned close to $62 billion dollars to over 27 million workers. [You may want to localize this statistic by using your state's information]  EITC varies by income, family size and filing status. It can mean up to $475 in EITC for people without children, and up to $5,891 for those with three or more qualifying children. The average EITC amount last year was $2,200.

Workers who qualify for EITC must file federal income tax returns-even if their income is below the filing requirement-and specifically claim the credit to get it. You earned it, now file, claim it and get it.

But, make sure you get the right amount of credit due you. If you have someone prepare your return, make sure to bring the following to your preparer:

  • A valid driver's license or other photo id card
  • Social security cards, a Social Security number (SSN) verification letter or the Individual Taxpayer Identifying Number (ITIN) for all persons listed on the return
  • Birth dates for all persons listed on return
  • All income statements: Forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security, unemployment, and other statements, such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld. If you run a business or farm, records of all income earned.
  • All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest or real estate taxes. And, if you run a business or farm, records of all related expenses.
  • Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available
  • Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
  • Dependent child care information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker's SSN or other tax identification number
  • Both spouses to sign forms to e-file (electronically file) a joint tax return

 

"EITC is a financial boost for working people, and their families and it allows more funds to flow into our community. It's money that can make lives a little easier," said [Enter spokesperson's name]

[Add information about your organization]

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Last Updated 1/16/2013