PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION DECLARES JANUARY 30th EITC AWARENESS DAY

BOSTON - Friday, January 30, 2009 -In keeping with its efforts to raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Patrick-Murray Administration has declared January 30 ^th EITC Awareness Day. Last year, approximately 328,000 low income Massachusetts families and individuals received EITC refunds totaling nearly $569 milliondollars. Yet the IRS estimates that up to 25 percent of Massachusetts residents who qualified for the EITC did not claim it.

"The federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit is a powerful tool meant to help lift hard working people up," said Lieutenant Governor Murray. "By raising awareness, we hope to empower more Massachusetts residents who qualify to take advantage of this benefit."

A few months ago the Lieutenant Governor recorded a public service announcement about EITC. The Administration also launched a website with information on the federal and state EITC and various state agencies have conducted outreach.

The Commonwealth has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and a number of community-based organizations from across the Commonwealth to direct low-income residents to the nearest VITA site location. For more information on the EITC and local VITA sites, or to learn how to volunteer at a VITA site, visit: www.mass.gov/anf/masseitc

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