Awareness Day News Release for Promoting EITC and Volunteer Tax Assistance Copy, paste into your template, and fill in your organization's information where indicated in [green italics]. Or use this example to create your own.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR EITC? GET IT, AND GET IT RIGHT WITH FREE TAX HELP
([city], [state])— Workers may get a larger tax refund this year because of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But to get it, you must file a tax return and claim it.
Today, January 26, 2024, marks the 18th anniversary of Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about EITC and free tax preparation sites. This year, IRS is promoting EITC and providing information on other refundable tax credits that you may be eligible for. This includes the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
Nationwide, as of December 2023, approximately 23 million taxpayers received over $57 billion in EITC. [Localize this statistic by using your state's information]
If you worked last year and had income of less than $63,398 check out your eligibility for EITC. EITC can mean up to a $7,430 refund when you file a return if you have qualifying children. Workers without a qualifying child could be eligible for a smaller credit up to $600. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average amount credited for 2022 was $2,541.
Why is it important to have an EITC Awareness Day each year? One-third of the EITC population changes each year. The IRS estimates that four out of five workers claim the EITC they earned. This leaves billions of dollars on the table each year. We want to get the word out to those who are eligible to file a tax return even if they don’t owe any tax to claim the EITC. It’s money workers can use for groceries, rent, utilities and other bills.
EITC is complex. It varies by income, family size and your filing status. To be eligible, you must have earned income or certain disability income. This means you must have income from working for someone or working for yourself.
Volunteers – trained by the Internal Revenue Service – ask you the needed questions to find out if you qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits. Volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, also prepare and e-file (electronically file) your tax return at no cost to you.
"Our community volunteers help you get EITC and the maximum refund you’re due. Our goal is to help you get it and get it right. This is money you can save or use to pay off bills, buy that car to get to work or make a down payment on a home. Let us help make your life a little easier, “said [Enter spokesperson's name and name of organization]
Let us help you get it and get it right. Visit our free tax preparation site at:
[Choose one or more of the following options that fit your community and your organization:
- list your sites, locations, hours
- Find a volunteer free tax return preparation site at IRS.gov Locator Tools
- Call 211 or 311 to find a volunteer free tax return preparation site]
Bring the following to make sure our volunteers get you the right amount of credit you deserve:
- A valid driver's license or other photo id card
- Social security cards, a social security number verification letter 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
- All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest, or real estate taxes
- Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
- Dependent childcare information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker's SSN or other tax identification number
- If you purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Form 1095-APDF, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
- Both spouses to sign forms to e-file a joint tax return
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More News Releases
- News Release for use throughout the filing season
- News Release for use throughout the filing season for those with Volunteer Tax Assistance Sites
- EITC Awareness Day News Release
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