Jan. 25 is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day

Thursday, January 24, 2019

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For 2019, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day is being observed on Jan. 25. Created in 1975, the EITC is widely regarded as the federal government’s most effective antipoverty program. However, the program remains underutilized, with only an estimated four out of five eligible workers claiming the EITC they’re entitled to.

The purpose of EITC Awareness Day is to promote the program so that all households that qualify for the credit claim it on their tax return. Qualifying taxpayers can get a check back even if they don’t owe any taxes—but they must file in order to claim the credit, even if their income is so low that they normally would not file a tax return.

For the 2018 tax year (2019 tax filing season), the EITC can put as much as $6,431 back into the pockets of low- and moderate-income working parents, and up to $519 for workers without children.

For more information about qualifying for and claiming the EITC, read Consumer Action’s updated Get Credit for Your Hard Work, available (free) in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.