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Rep. Woolsey Encourages Marin Working Families to Take Advantage of Earned Income Tax Credit

2/18/10

WASHINGTON DC - The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) continues to be one of America’s most powerful anti-poverty and work support programs.  Each year, the credit helps approximately 24 million working families make ends meet, lifting nearly five million out of poverty. However, it is estimated that five to seven million eligible taxpayers nationwide do not claim benefits they are entitled to through the EITC.


“In these bad economic times, it is more important than ever that eligible families in Marin County take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma). “Because of the Recovery Act’s temporary EITC expansion and current economic conditions, it is likely that there are taxpayers who may be eligible for the EITC for the first time. I encourage my constituents to take advantage of free tax preparation sites and resources, including those provided by the IRS, to make sure that they receive the benefits they deserve this tax filing season.”

Taxpayers who earned $52,000 or less from wages, self-employment, or farming in 2009 may be eligible to earn an EITC of $5,600 or more.

For free help determining their EITC eligibility and claiming the credit, taxpayers can visit the IRS’ Taxpayer Assistance Center in Santa Rosa at 777 Sonoma Ave., or in San Francisco at 450 Golden Gate Ave. Help is available from IRS staff and trained volunteers from Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Taxpayers may also receive assistance at IRS offices and at more than 180 tax assistance sites in the Bay Area. In 2009, Earn It! Keep It! Save It! sites in Marin County processed 2,971 returns which resulted in $665,448 EITC dollars and $2,410,458 in total refunds to Marin County taxpayers.

To locate a free tax preparation site near them, taxpayers can call 2-1-1.