(Miami, FL)— Workers may get a larger tax refund this year because of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But to get it, you must file a tax return and claim it.
January 28, 2022 marked the 16th anniversary of Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about EITC and free tax preparation sites. This year, IRS is promoting EITC and providing information on other refundable tax credits that you may be eligible for. This includes the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
Nationwide, as of December 2021, approximately 25 million taxpayers received over $60 billion in EITC. In Florida, approximately 2.1 million residents received over $5.1 billion in EITC, averaging a total of $2,390 per EITC claimed.
If you worked last year and had income of less than $57,414 check out your eligibility for EITC. EITC can mean up to a $6,728 refund when you file a return if you have qualifying children. Workers without a qualifying child could be eligible for a smaller credit up to $1,502. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average amount credited for 2021 was $2,411.
One-third of the EITC population changes each year. The IRS estimates that four out of five workers claim the EITC they earned. This leaves billions of dollars on the table each year. We want to get the word out to those who are eligible to file a tax return even if they don’t owe any tax to claim the EITC. It’s money workers can use for groceries, rent, utilities and other bills.
EITC is complex. It varies by income, family size, and your filing status. To be eligible, you must have earned income or certain disability income. This means you must have income from working for someone or working for yourself.
Volunteers – trained by the Internal Revenue Service – ask you the needed questions to find out if you qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits. Volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, also prepare and e-file (electronically file) your tax return at no cost to you. Your income must be under $57,000 per year to qualify for the free tax services. The average income in Miami-Dade county is about $25,000 and about 80% of residents make under $57,000.
Affirming YOUth Foundation’s staff is trained on VITA and ready to help you get EITC and the maximum refund you’re due. Our goal is to help you get it and get it right. This is money you can save or use to pay off bills, buy that car to get to work, or make a down payment on a home. Let us help make your life a little easier.
Let us help you get it and get it right. Visit our free tax preparation site at:
Affirming YOUth Foundation, Inc.
150 NW 79th Street, Suite 341
Miami, Florida 33150
Bring the following to make sure our volunteers get you the right amount of credit you deserve:
- A valid driver’s license or other photo id card
- Social security cards, a social security number verification letter for all persons listed on the return
- Birth dates for all persons listed on the return
- All income statements: Forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security, unemployment, and other statements, such as pensions, stocks, interest, and any documents showing taxes withheld
- All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest, or real estate taxes
- Copies of last year’s state and federal tax returns, if you have
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
- Dependent child care information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker’s SSN or other tax identification number
- If you purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Form 1095-A PDF, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
- Both spouses to sign forms to e-file a joint tax return