Per the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), EITC Awareness Day marks the kick-off of a nationwide multilingual communication effort intended to increase awareness of EITC eligibility, encourage participation, and emphasize the filing of accurate returns. The day also highlights free tax preparation and electronic filing through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites and Free-File.
Why is Awareness Important? IRS estimates four of five eligible taxpayers claim and get the EITC. Best of all, EITC combined with the CTC/ACTC/ODC is a financial boost for working people and your local economy. EITC and the CTC greatly reduce poverty for working families. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities asserts that in 2018 the EITC lifted 5.6 million people above the poverty line, including nearly 3 million children, based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The EITC and Child Tax Credit together lifted 10.6 million people above the SPM poverty line and made poverty less severe for 17.5 million others in 2018. (CBPP, April 28, 2023, Chuck Marr, Kris Cox, John Wancheck and Stephanie Hingtgen).
Additional Resources:
Internal Revenue Service:
- Check if You Qualify
- How to claim this credit - Get instructions on how to claim the EITC for past tax years. Find information on how to avoid common errors.