Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is reminding taxpayers to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—a program that annually helps approximately 24 million working families with earned incomes up to $48,000.

“With the hard working families of Western New York making tough financial decisions every day, it is more important than ever for eligible families to take advantage of benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, the chief tax writing committee.  

Eligible recipients of the EITC are working people with incomes of less than $43,279 or $48,279 for those married that file jointly.  Through an increase from the Recovery Act, amounts for the EITC will vary from $457 to $5,657.  Last year, the state of New York had approximately 1.5 million recipients with the average net EITC amount of $2,011.

In 2009, more than $49 billion in EITC claims were made by about 24 million working families.  However, according to IRS estimates, roughly 5-7 million eligible people fail to claim this tax benefit each year, accounting for up to 25 percent of EITC-eligible workers.

For more information visit:

• The IRS EITC Central Website: http://www.eitc.irs.gov/central/abouteitc/
• Contact Information for IRS Taxpay Assistance Centers and Free Tax Preparation Locations in Erie and Chautauqua Counties here
• Tax Counseling for the Elderly: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html
• Military Personnel and their Families: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html