The Blog

Dan McConnon, Deputy Director, Community Services and Housing, Department of Commerce

02/06/12

Did you know that each year about 20 percent of Washington taxpayers miss out on receiving up to $5,751 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) payments from the Internal Revenue Service?

This federal tax credit is available to thousands of low- and moderate-income working families and individuals, but many do not claim it simply because they don’t realize they are eligible.

Last year, 426,124 people in Washington applied for the credit, bringing about $847 million into the state’s economy. That money was a welcome boost for these taxpayers and to businesses in their communities.

Our challenge is to let people know that they must file a 2011 federal income tax return to receive the EITC – even if they owe no tax.

Free tax help is available by dialing the state information line at 2-1-1 or by visiting www.irs.gov.

We are working hard to spread the word so that every person entitled to an Earned Income Tax Credit gets one.

Joining Commerce and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Economic Services in this campaign are the IRS, AARP Tax Aide, Community Action agencies, Asset Coalitions, Employment Security, Department of Agriculture, United Way agencies and Washington State Libraries.

We thank Gov. Gregoire for her support in this important effort here in Washington. For more information about EITC and eligibility requirements, please see and share the link to the press release at www.commerce.wa.gov.