{"id":113,"date":"2015-06-22T05:44:01","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T05:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coxmedia.thestagingurl.com\/heartoffloridaunitedway\/?page_id=113"},"modified":"2016-10-18T19:20:57","modified_gmt":"2016-10-18T19:20:57","slug":"eitc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/coxmedia.thestagingurl.com\/heartoffloridaunitedway\/eitc\/","title":{"rendered":"Earned Income Tax Credit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"EarnedUnited Way\u2019s Financial Stability Coalition assists low-to moderate-income families in claiming the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is credited with lifting more children out of poverty than any other federal program. At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, EITC dollars can be used to reduce debt, improve job skills, build savings or take other steps to improve financial stability, which is one of United Way’s primary focus areas.<\/p>\n

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What is Earned Income?<\/h3>\n
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In general, earned income is defined as wages, salaries, and tips that are received for working and that are reported on form W-2. Earned income also includes earnings from self employment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Who is a \u201cqualifying child\u201d?<\/h3>\n
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A qualifying child is a child who is your\u2026<\/strong>
\nSon, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild)
\nOr
\nBrother, sister, half brother, half sister, step brother, step sister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your niece or nephew)
\nA qualifying child is a child who was\u2026<\/strong>
\nUnder age 19 at the end of the tax year and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly)
\nOr
\nUnder age 24 at the end of the tax year, a student, and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly)
\nOr
\nPermanently and totally disabled at any time during the year, regardless of age
\nA qualifying child is a child who\u2026<\/strong>
\nIs not filing a joint return for last year (or is filing a joint return \u00a0only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid)
\nAND
\nWho lived with you or your spouse in the United States for more than half of the tax year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What if I don\u2019t have qualifying children?<\/h3>\n
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You must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of the year AND you cannot be claimed as a dependent or qualifying child on anyone else\u2019 return. If you are married filing a joint return, either you or your spouse must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of the year. It does not matter which spouse meets the age test, as long as one does.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Does filing for EITC affect eligibility for other public benefits?<\/h3>\n
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The EITC\u00a0is not <\/strong>considered income for any federally funded public benefits programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What if I already filed my tax return for the year?<\/h3>\n
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Don\u2019t worry \u2013 if you\u2019ve already filed your Tax Return this year and were eligible for the EITC, you can still get your refund! In fact, if you were eligible in the past three years and didn\u2019t claim the EITC, you can get your refund for those years too. That means you might qualify for over $20,000 in EITC refunds.<\/p>\n

To claim the EITC for up to the past three years, you simply have to fill out IRS form 1040X:<\/p>\n

-For help completing form 1040X during tax season, visit one of the VITA or AARP Tax Aide FREE tax preparation sites. Click here for a complete list of FREE tax preparation sites.<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information about amended returns,\u00a0click here to visit the IRS website<\/a>\u00a0or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What do I need to bring to my tax preparation appointment?<\/h3>\n
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