County Lauds Earned Income Tax Credit and Free Tax Help

Highlighting the positive impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), County Executive Isiah Leggett and the County Council proclaimed today as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. The EITC is one of the country’s most successful anti-poverty efforts. In 2015, the EITC lifted about 6.5 million people out of poverty, including about 3.3 million children. In Montgomery County, 56,000 households claim the EITC, which is available to eligible working residents earning under $54,000.

“We want to encourage families and individuals to claim the credit,” Leggett said. “EITC tax credits help workers keep more of the money they earn and the credits have a substantial impact in reducing poverty—especially among families with children.”

The federal EITC alone brings back more than $127 million in federal dollars to the County each year, and that amount is substantially higher if residents file for the Maryland credit, because Montgomery County matches it through the Working Families Income Supplement.

“I am proud of the Community Action Agency’s effort to raise awareness about the EITC, working with partners, including the United Way, CASH Campaign of Maryland and CAFE Montgomery, to help our hard working residents learn about the EITC through Ride On ads and the County’s CASHBACK website,” said County Council President Hans Riemer. “This event also allows us to recognize the work of our non-profit partners who work tirelessly in educating legislators like me about the importance of these tax credits, and how we can improve access.”

IRS certified volunteers and their partners are now helping eligible county residents earning $54,000 or less to complete their 2017 tax returns through Montgomery County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. To make an appointment or learn about walk in sites, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/CASHBACK or call 311.

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