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United Way Promotes EITC Awareness Day

United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), in partnership with the South Alabama Free E-File (SAFE) Coalition, wants to make life a little easier for workers by alerting them about a special tax credit that can put money in their pockets. January 29, 2016, marks the 10th Annual EITC Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation sites available to eligible tax payers throughout southwest Alabama.

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Pictured (L to R): CEO of Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast Frank Harkins, Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne, and UWSWA President & CEO Clifford Grimes

UWSWA brought together representatives from local, county, and federal governments to expand the public’s understanding about tax credits and the free tax preparation opportunities available throughout southwest Alabama. In attendance at the EITC Day Awareness event held on EITC Day were Representative Bradley Byrne, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, and Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who read a Mobile County Commission proclamation declaring it EITC Awareness Day in Mobile County.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credits, and other similar tax credits provide work, income, education, and health benefits to its recipients and their children,” Representative Byrne said. “These tax credits help low-income families get an income boost and studies have shown that children in families receiving these tax credits do better in school, are more likely to attend college, and can be expected to earn more as adults. This means a stronger future economy for the Mobile area, as well as for the state of Alabama and our nation as a whole.”

Last year, more than 500,000 workers in the state of Alabama received more than $1.4 billion dollars in EITC refunds. The amount of EITC, though, varies by income, family size, and your filing status. In Mobile County last year, the EITC amounted to an average of $1,466 added to tax refunds. At the 20 SAFE Coalition tax preparation sites last year, volunteers helped eligible tax payers receive a total of $1,438,017 in Earned Income Tax Credit.

“EITC is a tax benefit for working people and their families and it allows more dollars to flow into our community. It’s money workers can use for groceries, rent, utilities, and other bills,” said UWSWA President and CEO Cliff Grimes. “We want workers who may qualify for EITC to have all the information they need to get the EITC and get it right.”

The participation rate of eligible tax payers who claimed EITC in 2014 was 82%. UWSWA and its partners are striving to increase that participation rate so that all individuals and families who are eligible to receive this tax credit do so.ssi_badge_umbrella

Volunteer tax preparers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations in southwest Alabama are trained by the Internal Revenue Service to ask tax payers the needed questions to find out if they qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits. These volunteers also prepare and electronically file tax returns at no cost for families whose 2015 household income was $54,000 or less. Individuals who are 60 years or older are also eligible for free tax preparation by VITA volunteers through Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). These tax credits, coupled with the free tax preparation opportunities available through the SAFE Coalition, help families afford the things they need to keep working, like child care and transportation.

“Our community volunteers help you get the maximum refund you’re due,” stated Grimes. “Our goal is to help you get as many refunds and rebates as you are eligible for because 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.”

If you qualify for EITC, you must file a tax return, even if you have no tax to pay, to claim the credit. UWSWA and other members of the SAFE Coalition are here to help with that as well. For more information, please click here or contact the United Way 2-1-1 helpline by just dialing 2-1-1 or 1-888-421-1266.

You are also eligible to electronically file your federal and state taxes for free using MyFreeTaxes if your household income for 2015 was $62,000 or less last year. Unfortunately, many families are unaware of their options and pay, on average, more than $200 to file their federal and state tax returns. MyFreeTaxes.com is the only free online platform that can be used to file federal and state taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This online tool allows taxpayers to self-file for free using a simple step-by-step process that includes free telephone, email and online chat support from IRS-certified specialists.

You earned it, now file, claim it, and get it!

 

About SAFE Coalition

The SAFE Coalition is a group of community organizations that provide low and moderate income and the elderly free income tax return preparation. We also refer to other services, such as opening bank accounts, budgeting, and credit counseling. Members of the SAFE coalition include Boat People SOS, Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, Impact Alabama, Mobile Community Action Agency, RSVP of Mobile County, United Way of Southwest Alabama, New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Church.

About MyFreeTaxes

MyFreeTaxes provides free federal and state tax preparation and filing assistance, both online and in person, to individuals and families with household incomes of $62,000 or less in 2015. MyFreeTaxes.com is the only free online platform that can be used to file federal and state taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for those who qualify. The national initiative is funded by a $4.1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation and championed by three leading nonprofits: Goodwill Industries International, the National Disability Institute and United Way. To learn more visit MyFreeTaxes.com or follow us on Twitter @MyFreeTaxes and find us on Facebook at MyFreeTaxes.