There’s Still Time for Families to Claim Valuable Tax Credits

(Washington, D.C.)  As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and its partners are educating eligible families about federal and state tax credits and how to get help filing their tax returns.

“With wages stagnant and prices rising, many families are struggling to make ends meet,” said NWLC Co-President Nancy Duff Campbell. “So it’s especially important that eligible individuals and families take advantage of federal and state tax credits.”

Families filing tax returns may be eligible for: 

• Up to $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, designed to offset some child and dependent care costs that families pay in order to work.
• Up to $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit, intended to help families offset some of the costs of raising children. Families who owe little or no income tax can receive at least some of this credit as a refund if they have at least $3,000 in earnings.
• Up to $5,981 from the Earned Income Tax Credit, providing a wage supplement to eligible families and available as a refund for families owing little or no income tax.

In addition to the federal credits, families may be eligible for similar state credits.

“Individuals and families must file tax returns in order to receive these benefits,” Campbell added.  “For help in filing a return, families can take advantage of free tax preparation assistance that’s currently available. 

NWLC conducts a tax credits outreach campaign each year and offers outreach materials and information about both these federal and state tax credits available in each state at www.nwlc.org/loweryourtaxes. For further information about free tax preparation services, individuals should call the IRS toll-free at (800) 906-9887 or visit http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/.

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