EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EIC/EITC)

FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

CONNECTICUT EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

The following is primarily summarized from information about the Earned Income Tax Credit posted on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
website: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html

WHAT IS THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or Earned Income Credit (EIC), is a tax benefit for working people with low or moderate incomes. The EITC/EIC is designed to reduce the tax burden on eligible income workers and to supplement their wages. Workers who qualify for the EIC and file a federal tax return can have some or all of the federal income tax that was taken out of their pay during the year refunded to them. Workers whose earnings are too small to have paid taxes can also obtain an EITC/EIC. The EITC/EIC also reduces any additional taxes eligible workers may owe.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EARNED INCOME CREDIT?

• Families with one child who earn less than $36,920 in 2012 (or less than $42,130 for married workers filing jointly) can get up to $3,169 – plus $950 from CT-EITC.
• Families with two or more children who earn less than $41,952 in 2012 (or less than $47,162 for married workers filing jointly) can get up to $5,236- plus $1,571 from CT-EITC.
• Families with three or more children who earn less than $45,060 in 2012 (or less than $50,270 for married workers filing jointly) can get up to $5,891 - plus $1,767 from CT-EITC.
• Workers without a qualifying child who earn less than $13,980 in 2012 (or less than $19,190 for married workers filing jointly) can get up to $475 - plus $143 from CT-EITC.

Many legal immigrants can also qualify for the EITC/EIC, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. In most cases, the EITC/EIC does not affect eligibility for other benefits received by the worker such as cash assistance ("welfare"), Medicaid, SNAP/Food Stamps, SSI, or public or subsidized housing. However, undocumented workers cannot claim an EITC/EIC.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN EARNED INCOME CREDIT

Workers who raised children must file either Form 1040 or 1040A and must fill out and attach Schedule EIC. Workers with children cannot get the EITC/EIC if they file form 1040EZ or fail to attach Schedule EIC. Married workers must file a joint return to get the EITC/EIC. Workers who are not raising children can file any tax form - including the 1040EZ. These workers write "EIC" (or the dollar amount of their credit) on the Earned Income Credit line on the tax form. They do not need to file Schedule EIC. Schedule EIC forms can be obtained by mail or downloaded from the website of the IRS: http://www.irs.gov Forms can also be obtained at libraries, post offices and local IRS offices.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTICUT EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT?

Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit (CT EITC), adopted in 2011, is a way to help working individuals and families during these difficult economic times. To qualify for the state credit, Connecticut residents need to be working, earning, and eligible for the federal earned income tax.

Connecticut Department of Revenue Service has a link on their website at, http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=4165&Q=491140&PM=1, which will give you information on the program. For a copy of the Connecticut EITC Tax Form, link to: http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2012forms/incometax/schedulect-eitc.pdf

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

In order to qualify for the Connecticut State Earned Income Tax Credit, filers must meet the criteria outlined above for the Federal EITC program and would then calculate 30% of the federal benefit for the Connecticut EITC benefit amount, see below.

• 3 children or more - $5,891 (Federal EITC), $1,767 (30% CT EITC benefit amount)
• 2 children - $5,236 (Federal EITC), $1,571 (30% CT EITC benefit amount)
• 1 child - $3,169 (Federal EITC), $950 (30% CT EITC benefit amount)
• No children - $475 (Federal EITC), $143 (30% CT EITC benefit amount)

FORMS TO BRING TO A TAX ASSISTANCE SITE

When visiting a TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) or VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site, bring the following:

• All W-2 forms for household
• 1099 Forms (if any)
• Social Security Card(s) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number(s) for all household members
• Last Year's Tax Return (if you have one)
• Child care provider name, address and tax ID number
• Education expenses and student loan information
• For direct deposit, a check or savings account number with routing number
• Copies of payments to municipalities (local property taxes such as automobiles) for state tax returns
• Any other tax-related documents you have received

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

Search by service name: EITC

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SOURCES: 2-1-1 database; Internal Revenue Service website
INTERNET PAGE PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2013