EITC Awareness Day news release for promoting EITC. Copy, paste into your template, and fill in your organization's information where indicated in [bolded text]. Or use this example to create your own.
Are you eligible for EITC? Get it, and get it right
([City], [State]) — 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.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reaches a major milestone in tax year 2025. Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of EITC and the significant role it plays in strengthening America’s working families.
Today, January 31, 2025, marks the 19th anniversary of Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about the EITC and other refundable credits. 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) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) and/or the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
Nationwide, as of December 2024, approximately 23 million workers and families received about $64 billion in EITC. [Localize this statistic by using your state's information]
If you worked last year and your income is less than $59,899 ($66,819 if married filing jointly), check out your eligibility for EITC. EITC can mean up to a $7,830 refund when you file a return and have qualifying children. Workers with no qualifying children could be eligible for a smaller credit, up to $632 dollars. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average EITC credited for 2023 was $2,743.
Why is it important to have an EITC Awareness Day each year? One-third of the EITC population changes each year. The IRS estimates only 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. Its 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.
Find out if you are eligible by visiting IRS.gov/eitc.
Also, if you make less than $67,000, you may qualify for free tax return preparation through volunteer sites. IRS-certified volunteers prepare your tax return and find out if you qualify for EITC and other refundable credits. Find a location for free tax return preparation near you at irs.gov; search VITA [Eliminate the following if 211 or 311 is not available in your community] or locate a volunteer site through our [eliminate one] 211 or 311 number.
Make sure you get the right amount of credit due you. If you have someone prepare your return, bring the following to make sure you get the right amount of credits or deductions you deserve:
- A valid driver's license or other photo ID card
- A valid Social Security card, or Social Security number verification letter, for all persons listed on the return
- Birth dates for all persons listed on 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. If you run a business or farm, records of all income earned.
- All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest or real estate taxes. And, if you run a business or farm, records of all related expenses.
- Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
- Dependent childcare 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, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement PDF.
- Both spouses to sign forms to e-file (electronically file) a joint tax return
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