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PRESS RELEASES - January 2008
January 31, 2008
Governor’s Office Proclaims January 31 as EITC Awareness Day!
Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed Friday, Jan. 31 as Earned
Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to encourage and recognize the
importance of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in our
communities. EITC dollars help underserved individuals and families
preserve income and develop assets, thereby advancing the health and
vitality of our region.
While the popularity of this tax program continues to grow, over
1 billion EITC dollars go unclaimed each year due to limited
community awareness. Free tax assistance is available to help
eligible workers claim EITC and other tax credits.
Workers are cautioned not to waste their money on commercial tax
preparation or devastating Refund Anticipation Loans (RALS), which
are high-interest loans that can have interest rates of over 180
percent.
EITC refunds have the ability to boost Texas families’ annual
income by 35%, lifting 500,000 Texans, many of whom are children,
out of poverty in 2008. The Texas 2-1-1 System has already connected
thousands of working Texans to hundreds of Community Tax Center
sites throughout the state, helping Texans file and claim their EITC
dollars. Filing is free.
“Arlington is proud to support a program that rewards hard work and
promotes financial stability in our workforce,” said Mayor Robert
Cluck. “The Earned Income Tax Credit refunds are a vital asset for
the working families in our community.”
For information on the closest tax assistance center, call United
Way’s information helpline at 2-1-1. Specialists are available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
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