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Who is eligible for EITC? Who is eligible for EITC? If you worked in 2007 and you are eligible, you may receive:
What children can be counted? An eligible child includes a son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, grandchild or eligible foster child who is less than 19 years of age; a full-time student who is less than 24 years of age; or a child who is permanently and totally disabled. The eligible child must have lived with you in the U.S. for more than six months during the year, or for fewer than six months if a full-time student. What tax forms do I need to file? If children were raised in your home in 2005, file IRS Form 1040 or 1040A, and complete and attach Schedule EIC. If children were not raised in your home in 2004, file IRS Form 1040 or 1040EZ. How can I get help filling out these forms? Two organizations provide free assistance. IRS sponsors trained Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sponsors trained Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteers at various sites. VITA volunteers prepare basic income tax returns for individuals who have low to moderate incomes, disabilities, or who do not speak English; Tax Counseling for the elderly is available to taxpayers with middle to low income, with special attention to those 60 and older. How can I find the nearest VITA or TCE location? For the nearest locations, Dial 2-1-1, your toll-free connection to community services in West Virginia or check the Internet at www.wveitc.com. Please call the VITA site ahead of time to find the hours and times of operations. What if I haven’t filed a tax return for the past few years? You could still qualify for EITC. If you are eligible, you can claim EITC for three years back. If you owe back taxes, EITC may reduce your tax debt. Who can receive advance payments of EITC? Most employees who have at least one child living with them can file to receive advance EITC payments in their paychecks. You must complete a W-5 form, the Earned Income Tax Credit Advance Payments Certificate, which is available from your employer. You can file a W-5 anytime during the year, but you must file a new W-5 at the beginning of each year to continue receiving EITC in your paycheck. If you get advance payments, you also must file an annual tax return and a Schedule EIC. Where can I get the necessary tax forms? You can often pick up IRS tax forms at your local U.S. Post Office or public library. Tax forms also can be downloaded from the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Can I receive the Earned Income Credit if I receive public benefits? EITC is not considered as income and should not affect benefits like welfare or TANF, food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, adoption assistance, or public housing. Can I receive the Earned Income Credit if I am homeless? Yes, you can claim EITC if you qualify. You should use the address of a shelter or another facility. Can I receive the Earned Income Credit if I am not a U.S. citizen? Many employed legal immigrants are eligible for EITC, including green card holders, refugees, and others legally authorized to work. Receiving this credit does not affect your immigration status. What should I take with me to a VITA or AARP tax assistance site? • Your
Social Security Card or the current Social Security number of you, your
spouse, and children. Additional tax credits for families with children: Depending on income, families raising children also may qualify for the Child Tax Credit for up to $1,000 per dependent child under age 17 in 2007. In addition, families who pay for child care to work or look for work may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if they have children under age 13 or a disabled adult who lives with the family. Call IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or go to the IRS website: www.irs.gov for more information. What are some meaningful ways that I can use my EITC refund? For families that work hard, the EITC credit provides a windfall that can support the achievement of long-term family economic success. Meaning, the Bounce Back campaign does not end with tax preparation. Although filing for the EITC claim is our short-term goal, our outreach efforts this year focus on helping those who claim it do something meaningful with it. Whether individuals want to go back to school, buy a home, or start a new business, creating assets and savings is the first step to reaching dreams. Working with financial institutions and community development organizations, the grassroots efforts of the Bounce Back campaign will strive to link families and individuals to asset building resources so they can pay bills, open a checking account, attend a local college or university, buy a better car, improve credit or build savings. |