County offers help for residents eligible for earned income tax credits

Westchester County is offering assistance to low and middle-income residents who may be entitled to tax credits. The county is teaming up with volunteers to help residents determine if they qualify, and also how to apply for federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced the endeavor and said there would be teams available to help residents in White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Valhalla, Ossining and Peekskill Feb. 4 through April 15. “Last year through this program, we helped 6,604 residents get income tax refunds of about $7.5 million, including $3.4 million in tax credits,” Astorino said. “Every dollar we get back for someone not only helps that taxpayer but returns money into our local economy.”

The program is open to households with incomes below $51,000. Eligible taxpayers could get up to $7,953 on their 2012 tax return, based on their income, household size, and filing status.

According to the IRS, thousands of eligible Westchester residents do not apply for the EITC, either because they don”™t know about it or they have trouble with the appropriate forms.

The initiative is a collaboration of several county institutions including the Office of the County Executive, the departments of Social Services and Consumer Protection, the Westchester Chapter of the AARP, Westchester Community College, The Volunteer Center of United Way, and United Way”™s  2-1-1 Hudson Valley Region.

For more information call 2-1-1, United Way”™s Help Line, or visit westchestergov.com/eitc.