Senator Golden Reminds Those Eligible to File for the Earned Income Tax Credit

Brooklyn - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) is today reminding eligible New Yorkers to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit, as part of the nationwide campaign designating January 29, 2010, “EITC Awareness Day”.

The Earned Income Tax is a refundable credit for low income employees, designed to help eligible taxpayers lower their taxes or receive refunds. National estimates indicate that 15 to 20 percent of eligible workers do not claim their Earned Income Tax Credit benefits at the federal or municipal level. Last year, the average EITC amount was $2,000.

The income eligibility level is as follows: $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children, $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children, $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child, and $13,440 ($18,4440 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.

Senator Golden stated, “I am proud to take part in EITC Awareness Day, in an effort to try and get the message out to eligible taxpayers, to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Now, more than ever in these trying economic times, individuals and families should be claiming all credits and refunds available to them. Americans want to keep more of what they earn and I want to make sure that they know about this credit so to claim it.”

Further, Senator Golden is reminding local residents that his office is again providing free income tax preparation service beginning February 4, 2010. Appointments, which are necessary, are available to those earning $30,000 or less on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, at Senator Golden’s District Office located at 7408-5th Avenue in Brooklyn.

For more information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, please contact Senator Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044 or visit the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov, or their Brooklyn office at 625 Fulton Street, which can be reached by calling (718) 488-2068.