Our nation is currently in a recession and our state is facing a fiscal crisis that is forcing many middle-class families to tighten their belts and look for ways to save money. Due to these circumstances, I want to remind my constituents to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a refundable credit for people who work but do not earn high incomes. You can find out if you are eligible by visiting the Internal Revenue Service’s Web site at www.irs.gov/eitc and filling out their short survey.
While many people have already taken advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, millions of taxpayers still do not claim their EITC. Many people who qualify for the EITC also qualify to file their federal tax return online, free of charge. The IRS will help you find the right company for you to file with by answering a few short questions about yourself. Individual company offers are based on various criteria including your adjusted gross income, the state in which you live, EITC eligibility, active military duty, or age. Free File is available only to taxpayers with a maximum adjusted gross income of $56,000. Some companies have set a lower income limit. Please note that if the adjusted gross income is not specified by the company, the maximum for the company is $56,000. To find out more about IRS Free File, and to see if you are eligible to file for free, go to www.irs.gov/efile and click “Free File” on the left column.
If you would like more information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, IRS free file or have other questions, you may visit www.irs.gov, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040, or contact me by calling my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632 or my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486.