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United Way 2-1-1: Connecting Working Families with Tax Benefits

Larimer County, CO (Feb. 16, 2006) – Families in Larimer County seeking information on the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit need only to call 2-1-1 for free information.

The Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has been available to lower-income working individuals and families in the United States since 1975. When the amount of taxes owed is exceeded by the EITC, those who qualify and claim the credit are entitled to a refund.

The EITC can increase a household income by as much as $4,400 per year in certain cases. In 2005 alone, the EITC returned $393 million to Colorado’s economy and 250,000 lower-income working families. Although the number of families credited is staggering, it is estimated that 15 percent of eligible families in Colorado did not claim their credits. Due to a lack of information, many families do not realize they qualify, or they do not know how to claim their credit.

United Way 2-1-1 offers referrals to organizations that can verify families’ eligibility and claims for the EITC. By calling 2-1-1, individuals can also be connected to agencies that provide tax preparation and filing information.

To qualify for the EITC, there are certain requirements individuals must meet, and every claimant must file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be legally obligated to file one.

To find out where and how families may qualify for the tax breaks they deserve, call United Way 2-1-1 at 2-1-1, or visit www.uwaylc.org and click on 2-1-1. If you’re a professional seeking to offer tax assistance to the community at low or no cost, Dial 2-1-1 to add your name to the database of available services.

United Way of Larimer County is focused on bottom-line results: The lives changed and communities shaped. That is what matters in Larimer County.

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