EITC information

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for low-  to moderate-income working families and individuals. The EITC can help you reduce your tax liability and, in many cases, put money in your pocket. In general, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes you owe. The EITC is known as a “refundable tax credit.” This means that if the amount you owe in taxes is less than the amount of the EITC you are eligible to receive, you will receive a check from the government for the difference.

To qualify for the EITC, you must have worked during at least part of 2011, meet certain income requirements, and file your taxes. You must file your taxes to receive the EITC, even if you did not earn enough money to be required to file. The EITC benefit is retroactive for three years, so review whether you filed for the EITC in recent years. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have not filed for the EITC in 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 you may be entitled to an even larger refund check!

Who Qualifies for EITC?
The following income guidelines for the 2011 Tax Year will help you determine if you may qualify for EITC.

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:

• $43,998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
• $36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

Tax Year 2011 maximum credit:

• $5,751 with three or more qualifying children
• $5,112 with two qualifying children
• $3,094 with one qualifying child
• $464 with no qualifying children

For full details, visit the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) portion of the IRS website.

Free Tax Assistance
Call one of the numbers listed below in your area to schedule an appointment to have your taxes done free of charge by trained volunteers. All taxes are filed electronically, which means you could get your refund in as little as two weeks! Ask about direct deposit to get your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

The sites listed offer tax preparation and other services such as benefits screening. For additional sites, call 2-1-1.

Want to help? Click here to learn about becoming a free Tax Prep Volunteer.

Central
Alliance for African Assistance: 619-286-9052
Home Start: 619-283-3624
San Diego Housing Commission: 619-578-7451
MAAC Project: 619-426-3595, ext. 1260

East
Home Start: 619-283-3624
MAAC Project: 619-426-3595, ext. 1260

South
San Diego Housing Commission: 619-578-7451
South Bay Community Services: 619-420-3620
MAAC Project: 619-426-3595, ext. 1260

North Central
SAY San Diego: 858-974-3603
Chinese Service Center: 858-505-9906
NAAC: 858-537-1500

North Coastal
Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas
North County Lifeline: 760-842-9225
Community Resource Center: 760-753-8300, ext. 1404
MAAC Project: 760-929-7814

North Inland:
Escondido, San Marcos
Interfaith Community Services:760-489-638
North County Lifeline: 760-842-9225

What Do You Need?
When you go to file your taxes and apply for your tax credits, be sure to bring the following with you:

• Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each family member
• Valid California ID
• All items listed that apply to your family
• W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2011
• All 1099 forms for other income, if any
• Child-care provider name, address, and tax ID number
• Any other tax-related documents you have received
• Voided bank check for automatic deposit
• Copy of last year's tax return
• All adults on your return need to be present to sign forms