It’s your money – you earned it.
You may not file taxes because you don’t make enough. Did you know that you may qualify to get money from the government? Get money back, don’t leave money on the table!
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC or EITC) is a tax credit for low and moderate-income wage earners. For the 2021 tax year, the earned income credit ranges from $543 to $6,728 depending on tax-filing status and number of children.
In 2020, 22 million workers received about $57 billion in EITC refunds. One-third of the EITC population changes each year. The IRS estimates only four out of five workers claim the EITC they earned. This leaves billions of dollars on the table each year. It’s money that workers can use for groceries, rent, utilities and other bills.
EITC is complex. It varies by income, family size and your filing status. To be eligible, you must have earned income or certain disability income. This means you must have income from working for someone or working for yourself.
Find out if you are eligible using the EITC Assistant; it’s available in both English and Spanish. The Assistant helps you:
- find your filing status,
- find out if you have a qualifying child or children,
- verify if you are eligible for EITC, and
- estimate the amount of your credit.
Avoid the debt with tax loans, take advantage of VITA.
United Way’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides Greater Atlanta’s working individuals and families help to simplify the tax filing process and claim important tax credits.
About VITA
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a national initiative of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that offers FREE tax help to low- to moderate-income ($56,000 and under) individuals and families. Taxes are prepared in–person by IRS trained and certified volunteers.
Where you can find VITA
VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, churches, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. VITA ensures that eligible working families are receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other federal credits for which they may be eligible.
This year, VITA is serving Greater Atlanta with free in-person tax preparation as well as virtual opportunities. More information is coming to this page soon.
Beulah Baptist Church
Clayton State University
Center for Pan Asian Community Services
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Atlanta
Ebenezer Baptist Church/ MLK Community Resource Complex
Elizabeth Baptist Church
Greenbriar
Hillcrest Church of Christ
IRS – NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Lovejoy Community Center
Midway – NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
North Fulton Community Charities
Osborne High School
Saint Philip AME Church
Schaffer Road Church of Christ
St. Philip Benizi AME Church
St. Vincent de Paul-Chamblee
St. Vincent de Paul-Lakewood (Sullivan Center)