Earned Income Tax Credit

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

DO YOU WANT YOUR TAX REFUND FAST?

E-File and get your refund in 10-14 days!

Are you getting what you’ve earned?

FREE tax preparation will be offered in Clinton & Essex Counties at the following locations:

Clinton County:

Senior Citizens Council-5139 North Catherine St. in Plattsburgh

Walk-ins are welcome

February 9:00 to 2:00 Mon/Tues/Fri & Sat and 9:00 to 6:00 Wed & Thurs

March 9:00 to 6:00 Wed & Thurs and 9:00 to 2:00 on Fri & Sat

April 9:00 to 6:00 Wed & Thurs and 9:00 to 2:00 on Fri

No Service will be provided on Presidents Day 2/18/08

Essex County:

CALL 1-800-675-2668 TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Adirondack Community Action Programs in Elizabethtown

St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Port Henry

The Sherman Free Library in Port Henry

The Lake Placid Public Library (518)523-3200

E I T C

COALITION OF CLINTON & ESSEX COUNTIES

Coalition members include: The United Way of Clinton & Essex Counties, Inc., OneWorkSource, Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP), Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County, Office for the Aging, Department of Social Services, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Joint Council for Economic Opportunity, Inc. (JCEO), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

It’s FAST…It’s FREE…It’s YOURS

What to bring to your appointment:

⁯ Picture ID for you and your spouse if married and filing jointly

⁯ Social Security cards and birth dates for you, your spouse, and children you are claiming

⁯ W-2 Forms for all jobs held in 2007

⁯ 1099 forms, such as 1099R, 1099G, 1099Misc, 1099Int

⁯ Any letter or notice you received from the IRS

⁯ A copy of last year's return

⁯ For a faster refund that is directly deposited, bring your bank account number and your bank's routing number.

⁯ Your spouse, if married filing jointly

OTHER RECEIPTS that may increase your tax return:

⁯ Rental information for NYS credit

⁯ If you paid for child care - documentation listing provider name, address, tax ID#, and amount paid

⁯ If you, your spouse, or a child attended college: a tuition expense statement (1098 T) and/or student loan interest statement (1098E)

⁯ Documentation of court-ordered child support

⁯ Home interest and property taxes paid

⁯ Medical bills paid

⁯ Charitable contributions made during the year

Frequently asked questions:

Volunteer tax assistance-why use it? As a service to the community, it helps working families get the money and assistance they’ve earned by providing free income tax preparation and E-filing for those who may be less able to afford a paid tax preparer.

Program eligibility-can I use the service? Typically, those who have worked in the past year and earned less than $40,000 are eligible. While most returns can be done, some may be more complex and need referral to a more specialized preparer.

EITC-what is it? The earned income tax credit is a refundable income tax credit that is available to low-income workers with "earned" income-wages or self employment income. If you earn less than $39,783, you may qualify for a credit up to as much as $4,716. If you qualify, you could reduce or eliminate your income tax, even get money back that could be used for savings, home repairs or other things.

Child and dependent care credit-What is it? If you work and have children, both the federal and state government often allows a tax credit for each child.

Refund Anticipation Loans (RALS)-are they a good idea? RALS, which borrow against your own refund, are extremely expensive. Loan fees typically range from $30-$90 which would equal an annual Percentage rate (APR) of about 60% to over 700%. RALS can eat away a big chunk of your refund.

Savings at tax time-why do it? It is quick and easy to save part of your tax refund, directly depositing into as many as three accounts. Pay yourself first by putting some in a savings account, then use the rest to pay your bills or make a purchase through your checking account.

United Way of Clinton & Essex Counties, Inc. * 45 Tom Miller Road * Plattsburgh, NY 12901