Jan 29, 2007- Kaptur Reminds Working Families to Check Eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit

"The Earned Income Tax Credit brings hundreds of thousands of tax dollarsback to our community," said Congresswoman Kaptur. "The Earned Income Credit isthere for working families who qualify, but to get it, they have to claim it ontheir tax forms.

The Earned Income Credit, Kaptur explained, is a tax credit for people whowork but do not earn high incomes. If they qualify and claim the credit, theycould pass less federal tax, possibly pay no tax at all, or even receive arefund beyond the amount of federal taxes they had withheld.

"Unfortunately, we learn every year about families who might have beeneligible for the credit but fails to claim it. Everyone needs to help buildawareness of the Earned Income Credit so that no one misses this opportunityfor money to help make ends meet."

For example, Congresswoman Kaptur said that more than 34,000 Lucas Countyresidents claimed the Earned Income Credit during the previous tax year (2005),for a total amount of $64.3 million. However, an estimated $16 million was leftunclaimed because taxpayers failed to request the credit when filling out theirtax forms.

The total amount that eligible taxpayers in the Ninth Congressional Districtfailed to claim probably exceeded $20 million.

This credit is called the "earned income" credit because, toqualify, the potential claimant must have worked and had earned income in thetax year 2006 under $38,348. If married taxpayers are filing jointly, at leastone spouse must have worked and earned income. Congresswoman Kaptur said heroffice has a toolkit available for anyone with questions about the EITC. Sheurged people with questions to call her office at 419-259-7500 or 800-964-4699.She also noted that Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs will be inoperation again this year to provide free help with tax forms for low-incomeresidents and senior citizens.