Earned Income Tax Credit Partnership launches 2010 campaign

February 4 , 2010

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Mayor's Office of Weed and Seed and the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, a coalition of local nonprofits, government and corporate groups, have announced the kick-off of this season's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits program in a press conference at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services offer free tax preparation to individuals, families, or married couples whose households earned less than $48,000 in 2009. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits offer qualified taxpayers refunds of up to $5,600.

The Partnership's kickoff comes as part of the IRS's National EITC Awareness Day and encourages local residents to utilize Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites located throughout Metro Atlanta to see if they are qualified to receive the EITC and other benefits.

Qualifying families with three or more children may be eligible to receive refunds as high as $5,657. For those who qualify but have failed to claim the credit in prior years, they may apply for the EITC retroactively for a period of up to three years, for up to $12,000. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will also be offering the Split Refund Option, which gives taxpayers the option of having their refund directly deposited in up to three financial accounts, such as checking, savings, and retirement account, which can help them build assets and financial security.

"The EITC is an investment in our working families, our city and our nation, and this campaign marks another step in the journey to help these families begin to build wealth and assets," said Deborah Lum, Executive Director of Atlanta Workforce Development Agency.

In addition, qualifying low to moderate-income taxpayers can visit VITA sites to receive free tax preparation and e-filing services, which save them more money and expedite the filing process, so that these individuals and families can receive refunds. To qualify for these services and tax credits, claimants must be qualified working U.S. citizens and legal residents with valid Social Security numbers. If a legal resident with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) meets all of the qualifications, they too are able to retroactively claim the EITC for a period of up to three years once they receive their valid Social Security number.

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and the Mayor's Office of Weed and Seed have been recognized by the IRS as having one of the most successful VITA sites in the Metropolitan Atlanta area for 3 consecutive years. Last year, the center served over 1,079 clients with an average EITC credit of $4,300.

The benefits for children and working families are clear:

~ Families with three or more qualifying children who earn less than $43,279 (or $48,279 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for up to $5,657;
~ Families with two qualifying children who earn less than $40,295 (or $45,295 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for up to $5,028;
~ Families with one qualifying child who earn less than $35,463 (or $40,463 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for up to $3,043; or
~ Single workers who have no children and earned less than $13,440 (or $18,440 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for $457.

"The Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, an initiative of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, is designed to empower low-income residents of Metro Atlanta to increase their earnings and build assets. The campaign seeks to integrate and improve existing economic and educational support systems that promote long-term family self-sufficiency and food security," said Bill Bolling, Executive Director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

For more information or to qualify, individuals and working families can go to www.atlantaworkforce.org or visit the VITA Center located at 818 Pollard Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia, 30331.