Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day reminds Mainers to check their eligibility

Posted: January 25, 2019 | Senator Vitelli

Sherry Locke, Gilda Nardone, Sen. Vitelli, Sue Marjerison, Janet Smith and Beth Campbell in the Senate Chamber.

AUGUSTA — Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, is urging all Mainers to determine whether they are eligible for the Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC), a state and federal program that boosts tax refunds for working-class Americans.

The Maine Legislature on Thursday passed a joint resolution to declare Jan. 25 as EITC Awareness Day. The joint resolution also thanked the volunteers who work with CA$H Maine, which is a collaboration of 10 statewide coalitions including more than 50 nonprofit and for-profit partners, and AARP Tax-Aide provide free federal and state tax preparation.

“The EITC gives money back to hardworking, taxpaying, low-and middle-income Mainers,” said Sen. Vitelli. “Unfortunately not every Mainer who could qualify for the EITC claims it, which means thousands or Mainers are leaving money on the table. CA$H Maine’s volunteers are a vital part in helping more Maine families learn about the EITC.”

In 2016, the Legislature amended Maine’s tax code to make the state credit refundable, meaning low-income Mainers would see a guaranteed refund, even if their tax liability was already low or they do not owe any income tax.

Sen. Vitelli has introduced LD 104 “An Act To Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit in Maine” which would increase Maine’s EITC from 5 percent to 15 percent of the federal EITC amount, bringing Maine more in line with other states’ credit.

The EITC is more important than ever as Maine’s rate of extreme child poverty has grown over recent years. According to CA$H Maine’s website: “Studies of EITC have found that children living in households who receive the credit have improved health and educational outcomes. For such a modest program, it goes a long way to helping keep people out of poverty.”

For more information about the EITC, and to determine your eligibility, visit www.eitcoutreach.org/.

Individuals and households with less than $55,000 in income can get their taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers through CA$H Maine. To find a local CA$H Coalition, visit https://www.cashmaine.org/free-tax-prep/.