Free tax preparation and help filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are being offered to Perry County residents this tax season, through a multi-agency effort funded by a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. EKCEP is promoting the service and its Perry County JobSight is one of three locations providing the service.

Beginning January 26, staff trained by the IRS will prepare and electronically file tax returns and review details of the EITC with taxpayers at the Perry County JobSight and two locations of the Hazard/Perry County Community Ministries. Staff also can determine if taxpayers were eligible for the EITC during the past three years and help them file amended tax returns for those years in order to claim past EITC benefits.

Taxpayers who earned less than $33,692 last year may be eligible for a refund that is up to $4,200 larger if they claim the EITC.

According to IRS guidelines, families with two or more children who earned less than $33,692 in 2003 (or less than $34,692 if married and filing jointly) could get a credit of up to $4,204. Families with one child who earned less than $29,666 (or less than $30,666 if married and filing jointly) could get a credit of up to $2,547. Workers without a child who earned less than $11,230 (or less than $12,230 if married and filing jointly) could get a credit of up to $382. A person is not eligible for the EITC if he or she is "married filing separately."

The EITC free tax preparation service is brought to you through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the combined efforts of: the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP), Perry County JobSight, Hazard/Perry County Community Ministries, L.K.L.P. Community Action Council, Kentucky Department for Employment Services, Hazard/Perry County Housing Development Alliance, Little Flower Free Clinic and the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services.