The purpose is to raise awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as well as our free
income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The EITC program is the largest anti-poverty
program in the country.
MT.CAP’s mission is to assist low-income citizens to become self-sufficient. As part of our
efforts to further our mission, not only does this free service assure eligible taxpayers
receive the Earned Income Tax Credit but also passes on a savings of approximately $200
of preparation fees.
MT. CAP provides the following options for free income tax preparation for those whose
income is less than $54,000.00 for the year, meet all other qualifications & tax preparation
needs are within the VITA scope of training:
Self-Preparation – Self-Preparation is access to free online software for those who are
comfortable preparing their own tax returns. Those interested in this service may
visit this link.
Self-Preparation with assistance – Self-Preparation with assistance is provided at the
MT.CAP Community Resource Center in Marion. The cmmunity Resource Center has computers
with internet access and free tax preparation software. An IRS Certified Volunteer is
available to assist with tax questions if needed.
IRS Certified Volunteer Preparation – IRS Certified Volunteer Preparation is provided
by the MT. CAP Outreach Department. Drop off days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Please bring the following for you, your spouse and dependents:
– photo ID (taxpayer and spouse)
– Social Security Cards
– Income Statements
– Bank Information (for direct deposit)
* EITC Awareness Information *
Workers, self-employed individuals and farmers who earned $53,930 or less last year
could receive larger refunds if they qualify for the EITC. Eligible families with
three or more qualifying children could get a maximum credit of up to $6,318.
For those without a qualifying child, they could get up to $510. Unlike most
deductions and credits, the EITC is refundable. This means those eligible may get
a refund from the IRS even if they owe no tax. In 2017, almost 27 million taxpayers
received over $65 billion in EITC. The average amount of EITC received was $2,445.
The IRS recommends that all workers who earned $54,000 or less learn about EITC
eligibility and use the EITC Assistant to find out if they qualify. The tool, available
in English and Spanish, helps users determine their filing status, if they have a
qualifying child or children, if they qualify to receive the EITC and estimates the
amount of the credit they may get. If an individual doesn???t qualify for the EITC,
the Assistant explains why. The worker can print a summary of the results and keep
the summary with his or her tax records.
The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social Security numbers for
themselves, their spouse, if filing a joint return, and for each qualifying child.
They must have these SSNs before they file their return and before the due date of
the return, including extensions. For most people, the due date of the return
is April 17, 2018. Most taxpayers can extend the due date for their 2017 tax return
to Oct. 15, 2018. Thereare special rules for those in the military or for those out
of the country.
