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411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Mayor Ness Declares Jan 30 as EITC Awareness Day in Duluth, Short News Conf Scheduled for 10:30 AM
BY: Daniel Fanning, Communications & Policy Director - Mayor's Office
Mayor Ness Declares Jan. 30 as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day in Duluth
Eligible taxpayers can file their taxes for free and claim up to $6,143 from the EITC
Short News Conference Scheduled for 10:30 AM at the Duluth Public Library
Duluth – Mayor Don Ness has declared Friday, January 30th, as EITC Awareness Day in Duluth, encouraging eligible taxpayers to claim the EITC through free tax preparation. Taxpayers can get free in-person assistance in preparing their own tax returns tomorrow, Friday, January 30, 10 am - 2 pm at Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St. According to the IRS, an estimated one in five EITC-eligible taxpayers do not claim it.
“Eligible taxpayers in Duluth should take advantage of filing their taxes for free on Friday at the library or at one of Community Action Duluth’s free tax sites from now until April 15,” said Mayor Ness. “It’s important for low- and moderate-income taxpayers to claim 100% of the refunds they’re entitled to.”
According to the Brookings Institution, the EITC is the nation’s largest and most effective tool in helping low- and moderate-income taxpayers cover basic needs and move out of poverty. Last year, Community Action’s free tax site volunteers helped taxpayers claim $3.5 million in refunds, with nearly $1 million comprised of the EITC alone. Mayor Ness, Community Action, Duluth Public Library and the Claim it! campaign, are partnering to ensure that taxpayers know about the EITC and free tax preparation.
The City of Duluth and Community Action Duluth will hold a short news conference tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30 AM at the Duluth Public Library (Main Branch, Downtown) to explain more details and be available for questions.
Who is eligible for the credit?
Eligibility for the EITC primarily depends upon the amount of earned income and number of dependents. Families who make under $53,000 and individuals who make less than $14,000 might be eligible for the EITC and should visit www.youclaimit.org to see if they qualify.
Who’s likely to miss out on the credit?
People who live in rural areas or those whose income is low enough that they’re not required to file a return are examples of workers who may be missing out on the Earned Income Tax Credit.
How can people claim the EITC after January 30?
Community Action tax prep clinics are held at 2424 West 5th Street, Suite 102, (the old Lincoln Park School), and operate until April 15. Doors open for walk-in service every Monday and Tuesday at 4:30 pm, every Saturday starting at 8:45 am, and at 4:30 pm on Tax Day, April 15. No appointment is needed. Households and individuals with income up to $53,000 are eligible for volunteer-assisted tax service. Prior year and amended returns are also prepared by appointment. For more information, contact Community Action at 218-726-1665.
Taxpayers with an email address and who earned $60,000 or less in 2014 can do their own federal and state income tax returns online, for free, at www.myfreetaxes.com. This can be a convenient and easy, especially for individuals with W2 forms from just one job and no dependents.
About Claim it!
Claim it!, managed by Prepare + Prosper, is a statewide public awareness campaign created in 2006 to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation for low- to-moderate income Minnesotans.