White Plains, NY - Once again, Westchester County and trained volunteers are teaming up to help low- and middle-income residents get the tax credits they may be entitled to, particularly the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

County Executive Robert P. Astorino said that the free service will be available to qualified residents at locations in White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Valhalla, Ossining and Peekskill between Feb. 4 and April 15 . He urged people to call 2-1-1, United Way’s Help Line, to find out if they qualify. Further information is also available at www.westchestergov.com/eitc.

“Last year through this program, we helped 6,604 residents get income tax refunds of about $7.5 million, including $3.4 million in tax credits,” Astorino said. “Every dollar we get back for someone not only helps that taxpayer but returns money into our local economy.”

The IRS estimates that thousands of eligible Westchester residents fail to apply for the EITC --  either because they don’t know about it or are unable to fill out the appropriate forms.

It is open to taxpayers with household incomes below $51,000. (See chart for more information on eligibility.)  Eligible taxpayers can receive earned income tax credits of up to $7,953 on their 2012 tax return, based on their income, filing status and household size.  

This initiative is a collaboration of the following county departments and community organizations: Office of the County Executive; the departments of Social Services and Consumer Protection; SingeStop USA; Educational Opportunity Center of Westchester; Westchester Chapter of the AARP; Interfaith Council for Action; Westchester Community Action Program, Community Capital Resources; Westchester Community College; The Volunteer Center of United Way; United Way’s  2-1-1 Hudson Valley Region;  the Business Council of Westchester; the Westchester County Library System; and the Child Care Council of Westchester.

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