The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. The EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may give you a refund.

There is an estimated 40,000 Philadelphia residents who are eligible but don’t apply for EITC, leaving nearly $100 million in tax credits unclaimed. The 2016 maximum income level for claiming the EITC refund ranges between $14,880, and $53,505, depending upon whether a person is filing as single, head of household, or married filing jointly, as well as the number of qualifying children they claim. Many of the Philadelphia residents who qualify for the EITC find it challenging to make ends meet, support their loved ones and provide a quality life for themselves and their families. Whether it’s a few hundred dollars or a couple thousand (maximum benefits range from $506 to $6,269), this extra money can make a huge difference in their lives.

The City can help:

• Visit youearneditphilly.com, now available in nine languages, to find free tax preparation from IRS-Certified preparers at 20 locations throughout Philadelphia for qualified applicants. These sites opened on January 23 with longer and more flexible hours than last year.
• Text “FILE” to 99000 to get information on the EITC and updates on when a site opens near you.
• Call our multi-lingual telephone hotline: (215) 686-9200.

The filing deadline for the 2016 Federal EITC is April 18, 2017. Eligible taxpayers can also still file or amend returns for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 EITC if they haven’t already. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is encouraging filing sooner rather than later.