Bourbon Co. taxpayers receive EITCs

More than 1,500 Bourbon County taxpayers received more than $3.33 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) last year.

"This year, the EITC can put an extra $457 to $5,666 into the pockets of low-income working individuals and families," said IRS spokesman Michael Devine. "If they qualify and claim the credit, they could pay less federal tax or even receive a refund beyond the amount of tax withheld."

The EITC was created in 1975 in part to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and to serve as a work incentive. More than 214,000 Kansas individuals and families claimed and received more than $451 million.

The IRS estimates that four out of five eligible taxpayers claim this tax credit, but some do not because they are unaware of the EITC or they don't know how to claim it.

Those eligible to claim EITC but don't include non-English speakers, individuals who are self-employed or have service jobs in private households, childless taxpayers, rural residents, and recipients of other types of public assistance such as food stamps. New parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and foster parents may not realize they qualify. Some families, such as those in the military and those raising children with disabilities, may not realize there are special rules that may help them qualify.

People can help determine their eligibility for the credit by using the EITC Assistant at the irs.gov web site. This step-by-step online program helps answer questions about eligibility, filing status, qualifying children and credit amount. The EITC Assistant also is available in Spanish.

For more information about EITC or any IRS program, visit "1040 Central" at www.IRS.gov.