On EITC Awareness Day, Friday, Jan. 27, the Internal Revenue Service will partner with community-based organizations across the country to alert millions of low- and moderate-income workers about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). All across the United States, local officials and community organizations are holding events highlighting this key benefit. 

If you earned $53,505 or less last year, you could receive a larger refund if you qualify for the EITC. If you have three or more qualifying children, you could get a maximum credit of up to $6,269. Even if you don’t have children, it could mean up to $506 added to your tax refund. 

Unlike most deductions and credits, the EITC is refundable. In other words, if you’re eligible, you may get a refund from the IRS even if you don’t owe tax. Last year, more than 27.5 million eligible workers and families received almost $66.7 billion in EITC; with an average EITC amount of more than $2,400.
 
IRS-certified volunteers at free tax sites can help you find out if you quality for EITC and help you prepare your taxes for free. There is also an online tool, the EITC Assistant, available on IRS.gov. You don’t need to guess about your eligibility — use the EITC Assistant to find out for sure. And, when checking your eligibility for EITC, don’t overlook other tax credits for which you may qualify. 

Some refunds held until mid-February

A new law approved by Congress requires the IRS to hold refunds claiming the EITC and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15. By law, the IRS must hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with EITC or ACTC. This change helps ensure taxpayers receive the refund they are owed by giving the agency more time to help detect and prevent fraud. The IRS will begin releasing these refunds on February 15, but you shouldn’t expect to see them deposited into your bank accounts until the week of February 27 – assuming there are no processing issues with the tax return.

​You can track the status of your refund with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app.

If you need assistance with your tax declaration I am here to help you:

It’s tax season again, and if you owe, you’ll need to make a payment by your due date to avoid interest and penalties. You can pay online, by phone or with your mobile device. 
​
When you’re e-filing your taxes, you can use the electronic funds withdrawal (EFW) method. EFW allows you to pay from your bank account when you use tax preparation software or a tax professional to e-file your return. You can schedule your payment any time before your due date. It’s safe, easy and convenient. 

Features and benefits of electronic funds withdrawal 
• EFW is convenient. You can e-file and e-pay in a single step.
• The IRS doesn’t charge a fee to use EFW, but check with your financial institution about any fees it may charge.
• If you make an electronic payment, it eliminates the need to submit a voucher and mail a check.
• It’s safe and secure. Payment information is used only for the tax payment(s) authorized.
• Bank account information is safeguarded and won’t be disclosed for any reason other than for processing authorized payment transactions. 

Another easy way to pay is with IRS Direct Pay. Direct Pay is free, and you can securely pay your taxes directly from your checking or savings accounts whether you file electronically or on paper. You can schedule payments up to 30 days in advance and receive instant confirmation that you submitted your payment.
 
You can also pay your taxes online or by phone through any of the authorized debit and credit card processors. A convenience fee is charged by the processor. The IRS doesn’t receive or charge any fees for payments made with a debit or credit card. Go to https://www.irs.gov/Payments for authorized card processors and their phone numbers. 
Finally, you can make a tax payment from your mobile device with the free IRS2Go app and choose either Direct Pay or debit and credit card payments. You can download IRS2Go from Google Play, the Apple App Store or Amazon to make your payments when it’s convenient for you.  

​IRS YouTube videos
• IRS Tax Payment Options English • IRS2Go 5.2 - English |Spanish| ASL 

On Twitter? Send these Tweets:

• Need to make a #taxpayment? #IRSDirectPay is the easiest, quickest way for individuals to make #tax payments. https://www.irs.gov/Payments/Direct-Pay

•Try #IRS electronic payment options https://www.irs.gov/Payments#taxpayment 

• Need to make a tax payment? flyer available in English and Spanish. #IRSDirectPay #EFTPS https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5034esp.pdf
​

With tax season around the corner and the IRS announcement that they will start accepting returns by January 20, 2015 it leaves us with short time to gather all required paperwork to file our taxes. 

One very important thing that most of the time is overlooked is if you moved during any time of the year you must make sure you have updated your address with your employer. This is specially necessary if you relocated to a different state or no longer work at the same place. Otherwise your W2 may be lost in the mail. 

I have heard of people who wait until the last minute to file because they are waiting for their W2 from their previous employer. When they do not receive it they either file with out it (causing them problems) or have to wait on the phone for hours trying to get someone to tell them where their W2 went or how to obtain a copy.

You are still on time to make sure your address is updated with your employer. If for some reason you cannot contact your prior employer then you should make an address change with the United State Postal Service (USPS.com) this way all your mail will be forwarded to your new address.