EITC Information

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals. The EITC can help you reduce your tax liability and, in many cases, put money in your pocket. In general, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes you owe. The EITC is known as a “refundable tax credit.” This means that if the amount you owe in taxes is less than the amount of the EITC you are eligible to receive, you will receive a check from the government for the difference.

To qualify for the EITC, you must have worked during at least part of 2009, meet certain income requirements, and file your taxes. It is very important to note that you must file your taxes to receive the EITC, even if you did not earn enough money to be required to file.

The EITC benefit is retroactive for three years, so you should review whether you filed for the EITC in recent years. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have not filed for the EITC in 2006, 2007, and/or 2008, you may be entitled to an even larger refund check!

Who Qualifies for EITC?

The following income guidlines will help you determine if you may qualify for EITC. Earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:

  • $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
  • $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
  • $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
  • $13,440 ($18,440 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
Tax Year 2009 maximum credit:
  • $5,657 with three or more qualifying children
  • $5,028 with two qualifying children
  • $3,043 with one qualifying child
  • $457 with no qualifying children

For full details, visit the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) portion of the IRS website.

Free Tax Assistance

Call one of the numbers listed in your area to schedule an appointment to have your taxes done free of charge by trained volunteers. All taxes are filed electronically, which means you could get your refund in as little as two weeks! Ask about direct deposit to get your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

What Do You Need

When you go to file your taxes and apply for your tax credits, be sure to bring the following with you:

  • Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each family member
  • Valid California ID
  • All items listed that apply to your family
    • W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2009
    • All 1099 forms for other income, if any
    • Child care provider name, address, and tax ID number
    • Any other tax-related documents you have received
    • Voided bank check for automatic deposit
    • Copy of last year's tax return
  • All adults on your return need to be present to sign forms

 

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