IRS to Offer Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance This Weekend

Kelly Phillips Erb
Updated
Get IRS assistance with claiming the EITC, and you could see your tax refund grow this year.
Get IRS assistance with claiming the EITC, and you could see your tax refund grow this year.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the federal government's largest benefit programs for working families and individuals. Unfortunately, unlike other benefit programs, the EITC is not automatic. In order to get the credit, taxpayers must file a tax return and specifically claim the credit.

The credit can be confusing for many taxpayers, which is why the IRS has announced that special assistance is available to EITC-eligible taxpayers. The announcement coincided with the fifth Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day on Friday, Jan. 28.

On Saturday, Jan. 29, and Saturday, Feb. 5, the IRS will open selected offices to provide special assistance to EITC-eligible taxpayers. You can find an office in your state by clicking here.

Why go? The IRS estimates that one out of five eligible taxpayers may be missing the credit. Last year, more than 26 million eligible taxpayers received nearly $59 billion from the credit. The maximum credit for 2010 tax returns is $5,666 for those with three or more qualifying children; lesser amounts are available for those with fewer or no qualifying children.

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