United Way of Morris County News
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Hard Working Families Missing Out on Millions
EITC Campaign Kick-Off Set for February 1st in Dover
January 17, 2007

This year, thousands of hard working residents may miss out on millions of dollars because they do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on their federal and state tax returns.  The reason?  Many working people simply do not know they may qualify for the credit, and often lose much of their return to high commercial preparation fees and “rapid refund” loans.  But, a coalition of agencies is working together to make sure people claim and keep the tax benefits they are entitled to this year.
 
Through the EITC program, working people can claim up to thousands of dollars in federal and state income tax benefits.  According to the federal government, the EITC lifts nearly four million people out of poverty each year.  A low-income family in New Jersey with two or more children could qualify for as much as $5,443 in federal and state tax credits for the 2006 tax year.  

United Way and a coalition of agencies, including NORWESCAP, the 2-1-1 Help Line, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, are working together to make sure people claim the EITC tax credit.  The extra income from EITC – sometimes thousands of dollars – could build the financial assets of a family, and move them on a path to self-sufficiency.  The coalition is also spreading the word about free tax preparation services available to Morris County residents through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Morris County.
 
The EITC kick off event is planned for Thursday, February 1, 2007 at the First Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dover, NJ at 10:30am.  Speakers at the event include Denise Perry from the Internal Revenue Service and Georjean Trinkle, associate director of NORWESCAP.  The event is free, and open to the public.  To attend, please contact Carole Hasz at haszc@norwescap.org or 973.989.5773.

United Way urges community members to dial 2-1-1 to find out more about EITC. Multilingual Help Line Specialists will help callers find out whether they can qualify for EITC benefits and tell them where to go for free tax preparation assistance from highly trained volunteers operating at dozens of sites around Northern New Jersey.