If you're a direct-care worker or you work with direct-care workers, you might want to help spread the word about the earned income tax credit (EITC). Direct-care workers who file a federal tax return this season could be eligible for thousands of dollars in state and federal credits and refunds, mainly through the federal EITC, which will return up to $4,716 per person to eligible low-income taxpayers. As much as a quarter of all EITC funds go unclaimed each year because so many people don't know they're entitled to them.
Workers who file a federal return may also be eligible for an EITC from their state or for one of the economic stimulus payments being made this year by the federal government. The economic stimulus payments will generally range from $300 to $600 for individuals and from $600 to $1,200 for joint filers, plus $300 for each qualifying child.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website has a useful section on the national EITC. Its online toolkit includes a calculator to estimate how much of a return to expect, tips on how to get taxes prepared free of charge, how to file electronically to get your money back fast, and more.
Another useful website is I-CAN, an online tax filing system that helps low-income taxpayers file their federal forms free of charge and includes information about the EITC. Taxpayers in California, Michigan, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania can also file their state taxes free through I-CAN.
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