LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 1, 2016) – Little Rock residents are encouraged to come out to Super Saturday to check their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and get help with tax return preparation.

The theme for participants this year is “Prepare Your Future,” which will emphasize the tools and resources that can help people invest in their retirement, buy a home, make improvements to their home, start their own business, and protect themselves from scams.

This year’s Super Saturday will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Arts and Crafts Building. Free tax preparation will be provided. While reservations are not required, those wishing to secure a time may call 501-682-0228.

“It is our hope that residents will take advantage of this opportunity to see whether they are eligible for the credit and to get assistance on tax preparation,” Mayor Mark Stodola said. “Economically, the EITC empowers working families and benefits communities such as ours.”

The Earned Income Tax Credit is for low- to moderate-income workers. According to the IRS, four out of five eligible workers, self-employed people, and farmers claim and receive their Earned Income Tax Credit. Many workers may also qualify for other tax credits.

This year, married couples with three or more children with incomes of $53,227 or less from wages, self-employment or farming might qualify for the EITC and save up to $6,242.

In Arkansas, the average credit received was $2,608 per family for tax year 2014.

"This year we want to let the working families of Little Rock know that the refund money they receive and the additional funds that they save by seeking free tax filing assistance can be directed toward retirement plans, college and educational accounts, home mortgage loans and improvements, even to help them start their own business," said W.J. Monagle, executive director of the Little Rock Workforce Development Board.

To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring the following items, and both spouses must be present to sign joint returns:

• Photo proof of identification
•  Social Security cards for themselves, their spouse and all dependents claimed
•  All income statements including forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security, unemployment, and other statements such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld. Self-employed participants will need records of all their income
•  All records of expenses including tuition, mortgage interest or real state taxes. Self-employed participants will need records of all their expenses
•  Copies of their prior year federal and state returns, if available
•  Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of their refunds
•  Dependent child care information, including name and addresses of those who were paid for the services, including caretaker’s Social Security Number or other tax identification number.

The EITC Coalition includes the City of Little Rock, the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, Entergy Arkansas, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Central Arkansas Development Council, among others. 

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