Free Tax Help Into October
For Tax Rebates and Earned Income Tax Credit

You Must File a Tax Return for Rebate, Credit,
Even If You Don’t Owe Taxes

Low- and moderate-income families may be passing up $4,000 in tax credits and $2,100 in rebates by failing to file a tax return. But it’s not too late to file.

Trident United Way and Charleston Trident Urban League continue to make available free tax preparation for qualifying families. These families may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the economic stimulus rebate, but they must file a tax return in order to receive the money. Individuals have until October 15th to file for the economic stimulus package.

United Way and the Urban League provided free tax help at a dozen sites throughout the tri-county area until April 15. The remaining free tax site is at the Trident Urban League office, 476E Meeting Street in Charleston. Anyone seeking free tax preparation should call the Urban League at 965-4037 to make an appointment.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is the nation’s largest anti-poverty program, with Lowcountry families claiming roughly $90 million. It is available to working families generally earning less than $40,000. The average tri-county family receiving an EITC got roughly $2,000.

The economic stimulus package provides. $600 per individual and $300 per dependent to families earning income, but only if they file a return.

The free tax preparation and EITC outreach is a partnership of Trident Urban League and Trident United Way. Over the past three years, this partnership has brought approximately $8 million into the tri-county economy.