Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

In partnership with the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, ASIA offers free interpreting for tax preparation service for low and moderate income families.

Through interpreting assistance, limited English proficient Cuyahoga County low-income taxpayers will receive quality tax preparation, wealth building opportunities and other services in order to strengthen our neighborhoods’ economies.

EITC is a refundable tax credit available to working adults without children earning up to $15,880 through families with at least two children earning as much as $41,646. The credit can be as large as $4,824 and the average EITC credit for Cuyahoga County in 2006 was $1,918. In highly urban areas, it is estimated that between 15 and 20 percent of those eligible for this credit do not claim it. These are dollars that do not go to the hard working families that earned them and therefore not into the Cuyahoga County economy.

The program promotes free and fair tax preparation services for middle and low-income filers. Many filers are subject to filing fees and refund anticipation loans (RALs) sold to them by private for-profit businesses. These fees and loans are avoided by using the Coalition’s free tax sites throughout the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The sites are free, quick, and an efficient alternative to paid preparers.

Finally, the program encourages financial independence and savings for middle and low-income families. Wealth-building is an important step toward home ownership, saving for higher education, and day-to-day living.

For information, please call 216-881-0330.