EITC Can Mean Up to 5 Months Salary Returned to Taxpayers

(Wednesday, January 16, 2008) – “I may not be able to predict who will win the Super Bowl,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, “but I can predict that the people who attend Super Saturday and who take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit will all be winners. Persons attending the “Super Saturday” Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Super Saturday event may be eligible to receive up to five months salary returned in a tax credit.”

These remarks were made at a press conference announcing the plans for the 2008 Super Saturday and the EITC awareness campaign.

Super Saturday will take place on February 2, from 9am to 4pm. It will take place at the Little Rock Workforce Center located at 3901 South University Ave, Suite 24.
The EITC is available for: 1) Workers who were raising one child in their house and had income of less than $33,241 (or $35,241 for married workers) in 2007; 2) Workers who were raising more than one child in their home and had income of less than $37,783 (or $39,783 for married workers) in 2007; and 3) Workers who were not raising children in their home, were between the ages of 25 and 64 or December 31, 2007, and had income below $12,590 (or $14,590 for married workers).

Volunteer certified tax assistance experts from the IRS and AARP will help people complete and file tax returns at no cost to taxpayers. Taxpayers wishing to participate will need to bring a photo ID; Social Security cards for self, spouse, and dependents; copies of all W2s, 1099s, etc; a copy of a check for direct deposit; and spouse (if filing a joint return.) Spanish language interpreters will be on hand. 

In addition, a tailgate party will be set up featuring additional free services and information on Individual Development Accounts, bank and credit union accounts, homebuyer programs, Medicaid, food stamps, and others.

The agencies aiding in Super Saturday include the City of Little Rock Department of Community Programs, City of Little Rock, in partnership with Pulaski County Government, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Central Arkansas Development Council, ACORN, New Futures for Youth, and the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Also participating are Regions Bank, AARP, the Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union, Entergy, Catholic Social Services – Diocese of Little Rock, Central Arkansas Water, Entergy, Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Little Rock Branch, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), La Voz de Arkansas, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, TEA Career Center, UALR School of Law, United Way of Pulaski County, WorkForce Investment Board, Social Security Administration, Southern Good Faith Fund, Arkansas Work Force Centers at Little Rock.

They will also inform the public of the universal Phone Excise Tax Refund. ACORN and the City of Little Rock will distribute information on Fair Housing and Homebuyer Programs. HUD will provide information on housing opportunities in coordination with the Little Rock Housing Authority and Pulaski County Housing Agency.
Regions Bank and the Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union will open financial accounts for refund deposits. La Voz de Arkansas will provide Spanish translation services. The CADC will provide economic literacy and Individual Development Accounts. United Way’s First Call for Help will be there, and DHS will answer questions and provide information on Medicaid and Food Stamps. First begun during the 2002 tax season, the 2008 campaign seeks to raise the awareness and filing of the EITC and increased use of free tax assistance and filing sites.

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