Home » State urges Kentuckians to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit

State urges Kentuckians to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit

Approximately 400,000 Kentuckians are eligible for assistance

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2012) – Governor Steve Beshear Monday joined Congressman Ben Chandler, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray and others at the United Way of the Bluegrass to launch his annual campaign to urge eligible Kentuckians to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families.

“This tax credit is an extremely valuable resource for low-wage earning taxpayers struggling in this difficult economy, and I want to make certain that every Kentuckian eligible for this benefit receives it,” Beshear said. “In addition, an estimated 97 percent of received funds from this credit are infused back into local communities, thus boosting Kentucky business and benefiting local economies.”

In tax year 2010, Kentuckians filed nearly 400,000 EITC claims for a total of more than $876 million in benefits statewide. The average awarded credit was $2,200. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), an estimated 15 to 20 percent of eligible workers still do not claim their EITC benefits, mostly due to lack of awareness.

Beshear announced a list of nearly 200 free tax preparation sites across the state where trained and IRS-certified volunteers will assist Kentuckians with filing their taxes and applying for EITC. To find information about these sites, including addresses, phone numbers and if appointments are required, visit assistance.ky.gov.

In addition, beginning Jan. 17 Kentuckians living in central and northern Kentucky areas can dial 2-1-1 to find information on free tax preparation sites near them. Counties who can access 2-1-1 include Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Bullitt, Campbell, Carroll, Clark, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, Oldham, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble and Woodford.

For information about tax preparation sites outside the 2-1-1 calling area, taxpayers may call Community Action Kentucky at (800) 456-3452.

Eligibility for the EITC is based on income and household composition, as is the amount of the credit. Families who earned up to $49,078 in 2011 can be eligible for EITC. More extensive qualification information is also available at assistance.ky.gov.

The Governor applauded the many organizations across the state working to bring awareness and provide easily accessible and free tax assistance to Kentuckians.

These partners and coalitions include the IRS, the United Way of Kentucky, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association, Community Action Kentucky, Department of Revenue, AARP Tax Aide, Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project, Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Green River Asset Building Coalition, Barren River Asset Building Coalition, Eastern Kentucky Asset Building Coalition, Northern Kentucky Asset Building Coalition, Northeast Kentucky Asset Building Coalition and the Purchase Area Asset Building Coalition.

“United Way’s goal is to help families meet their basic needs while gaining the financial capability to plan for, and accomplish, their long-term financial goals,” said Bill Farmer, president of United Way of the Bluegrass. “Ensuring access to EITC through free tax preparation is critical not only to hardworking individuals receiving these important services and credits, but to the economic vitality of our community as a whole.”