The EITC is a federal tax refund for eligible working individuals and households. Through the EITC Coalition, United Way of Central Massachusetts is making this tax credit more easily accessible to those who need it most.
You must have earned income to apply for the EITC. Households that qualify for the EITC could receive a tax credit refund of up to $5,981.
The EITC is a tax benefit for low to moderate-income working individuals and families. Workers who qualify for the EITC and file an income tax return can receive a refund, even if they had no income tax liability for the given year.
Download the EITC December 2012 Newsletter
Each year, low-income families substantially increase their annual income by utilizing the EITC. In fact, the EITC lifts more families out of poverty than any other federal aid program, providing families an opportunity to increase savings, reduce debt, and finance education or training programs.
Reality of EITC losses: Each year, the EITC credits that go unclaimed by low-income workers represent millions of dollars of lost revenue that would otherwise boost local economies.
Families with one child who earn less than $36,920 in 2012 are eligible for a potential Federal refund of up to $3,169.
Families with two children who earn less than $41,952 in 2012 are eligible for a potential Federal refund of up to $5,236.
Families with three or more children who earn less than $45,060 in 2012 are eligible for a potential Federal refund of up to $5,891.
Workers without a qualifying child who earn less than $13,980 in 2012 are eligible for a potential Federal refund of up to $475.
* Income limits for married workers are $5,210 higher than the above amounts.
* Investment income can not exceed $3,200.
Complete the Schedule EIC in the Federal 1040 or 1040A.
FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES: THE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides IRS-trained volunteers to prepare and file tax returns for free.
Focus on Family Stability: United Way is connecting people and resources to improve the community by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: Education, Family Stability, and Health. Through the Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative, UWCM is addressing Financial Stability by helping taxpayers claim federal rebates and working to achieve its goal to reduce the child poverty rate in central Massachusetts by 10% in 2020. More about Family Stability
What we’re doing: We are part of the Worcester EITC Coalition, which is working to create awareness about the EITC and engage volunteers to help prepare taxes for free. The Coalition recruits volunteers to serve at VITA sites and helps people claim eligible tax credits. We are also working to build awareness about financial issues such as predatory lending practices, pay day loans, and predatory tax preparation services that further hinder an individual’s ability to save and build assets.
Our Partners The Worcester EITC Coalition partners include: AllCom Credit Union, Assumption College, Bank of America, Bay State Savings Bank, City Manager's Office of Economic Development, College of the Holy Cross, Community Builders/Plumley Village, Office of Congressman James P. McGovern, FDIC, Internal Revenue Service, Main South CDC, More Than Wheels, Quinsigamond Community College, Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Unum, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Veterans Inc, WCCA TV-13, Worcester Community Action Council Inc, Worcester Housing Authority, and Worcester State University.
1. Main South Community Development Corporation, 875 Main Street, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-752-6181 Opening Day: Monday, January 28, 2013. NEW Hours of Operation: Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with last appointment at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with last appointment at 1:30 p.m. WALK-INS WELCOME. Types of returns: simple only.
2. Plumley Village, 16 Laurel Street, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-770-0508 Opening Day: Saturday, February 2, 2013. Hours of Operation: Tuesday 4:00 – 7:00 with last appointment at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday 4:00 – 6:00 with last appointment at 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with last appointment at 2:30 p.m. Types of returns: simple only.
3. Worcester Community Action Council, 484 Main Street, Room 203, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-754-1186 x 234 Opening Day: Monday, January 28, 2013. Hours of Operation: Monday through Wednesday 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with last appointment at 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with last appointment at 12:00 noon. Types of returns: homeowners, (not rental properties), Schedule “C”, pensions, senior circuit breakers, amended returns, 1099’s, 1040’s, and student.
4. Worcester State University 486 Chandler Street, Sullivan Academic Building, Rm 206, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-929-8424; Email: vita@worcester.edu Opening Day: Monday, February 4, 2013. Hours of Operation: Monday and Wednesday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Types of returns: Most common individual tax issues, itemized deductions, simple self-employment. NO rental properties.
Family Stability Spotlights
by participating in the Women’s Initiative and supporting our mission to promote leadership & philanthropy and enhance the lives of women & children.”
- Patsy C. Lewis, Women’s Initiative member
