Assemblyman William Colton (D- 47th A.D.) is encouraging local taxpayers to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), available to married couples with children making below $49,078 a year or up to $18,740 without children. Single individuals with children can apply if their income is less than $43,998 a year or without children up to $13,660. The EITC is the Most Successful Middle-Lower Income Tax Refund.

Facts

• According to the Internal Revenue Service, New Yorkers claimed approximately $3.62 billion in total EITC tax credits and obtained an average EITC refund of $2,163 in 2011.
• EITC lifted an estimated 6.6 million people out of poverty across the U.S., half of them being children.
• Four out of five people claimed the benefit.

Assemblyman Colton advises those interested in applying for this tax break to Call 311 starting Jan. 17 to make an appointment for free tax services offered by Volunteer Informed Tax Advisors (VITA). Hundreds of volunteers are ready to help you claim your EITC benefit!

Friday, January 27 will be dedicated to EITC Awareness Day, but don’t wait, Assemblyman Colton says “Call 311 and get started today on claiming your benefits.”