WASHINGTON, D.C. - As tax season approaches, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today reminded all eligible Ohio workers to maximize their tax returns by filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Last year, 874,000 Ohioans saved $1.7 billion through this federal credit, but thousands of Ohioans miss out on this credit each year by failing to apply.
"With tax day approaching, I want to ensure that each Ohioan receives the biggest refund possible," Brown said. "Ohioans should utilize free tax preparation services - both online and in-person. It is my hope that this year, all Ohio families who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit will receive the credit. I want all Ohioans to know that the Earned Income Tax Credit is a way for families who are struggling right now to get some relief."
Earned Income Tax CreditThe Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may be available to working individuals or families who earned less than $48,279 in 2009. The average credit is $2,488 for families with two children, with a maximum credit of $5,600. Last year, 874,000 Ohio taxpayers claimed the EITC, returning $1.7 billion dollars to our state's economy.
Unclaimed Funds
Millions of dollars remain unclaimed by Ohio taxpayers who are unaware of this important tax credit. The IRS estimates as many as 20 percent of Americans who qualify for the credit fail to apply. Below is a county-by-county breakdown for the maximum, projected number of eligible filers in Ohio who did not receive the EITC, according to data from 2006, the most recent county tax information available.
| Central Ohio Counties | Estimated Number of Eligible Filers Who Did Not Claim the EITC* |
| Champaign | 509 |
| Delaware | 974 |
| Fairfield | 1,642 |
| Fayette | 517 |
| Franklin | 17,747 |
| Knox | 728 |
| Licking | 2,173 |
| Logan | 636 |
| Madison | 501 |
| Marion | 1,019 |
| Morrow | 480 |
| Pickaway | 632 |
| Union | 462 |
| Total | 28,020 |
| Northeast Ohio Counties | Estimated Number of Eligible Filers Who Did Not Claim the EITC* |
| Ashland | 661 |
| Ashtabula | 1,692 |
| Carroll | 407 |
| Columbiana | 1,696 |
| Cuyahoga | 21,888 |
| Geauga | 572 |
| Harrison | 255 |
| Holmes | 446 |
| Jefferson | 1,074 |
| Lake | 2,281 |
| Lorain | 4,002 |
| Mahoning | 3,786 |
| Medina | 1,348 |
| Portage | 1,712 |
| Stark | 5,476 |
| Summit | 7,427 |
| Trumbull | 3,190 |
| Tuscarawas | 1,310 |
| Wayne | 1,312 |
| Total | 60,535 |
| Northwest Ohio Counties | Estimated Number of Eligible Filers Who Did Not Claim the EITC* |
| Allen | 1,701 |
| Crawford | 727 |
| Defiance | 513 |
| Erie | 1,134 |
| Fulton | 497 |
| Hancock | 927 |
| Hardin | 419 |
| Henry | 325 |
| Huron | 862 |
| Lucas | 7,228 |
| Ottawa | 478 |
| Paulding | 258 |
| Putnam | 308 |
| Richland | 1,878 |
| Sandusky | 878 |
| Seneca | 790 |
| Van Wert | 365 |
| Williams | 547 |
| Wood | 1,176 |
| Wyandot | 308 |
| Total | 21,320 |
| Southeast Ohio Counties | Estimated Number of Eligible Filers Who Did Not Claim the EITC* |
| Athens | 836 |
| Belmont | 1,109 |
| Coshocton | 607 |
| Gallia | 535 |
| Guernsey | 752 |
| Hocking | 501 |
| Jackson | 651 |
| Lawrence | 1,239 |
| Meigs | 423 |
| Monroe | 247 |
| Morgan | 263 |
| Muskingum | 1,539 |
| Noble | 190 |
| Perry | 617 |
| Pike | 534 |
| Ross | 1,170 |
| Scioto | 1,406 |
| Vinton | 252 |
| Washington | 971 |
| Total | 13,843 |
| Southwest Ohio Counties | Estimated Number of Eligible Filers Who Did Not Claim the EITC* |
| Adams | 535 |
| Auglaize | 500 |
| Brown | 695 |
| Butler | 4,285 |
| Clark | 2,227 |
| Clermont | 2,193 |
| Clinton | 661 |
| Darke | 679 |
| Greene | 1,663 |
| Hamilton | 12,463 |
| Highland | 776 |
| Mercer | 422 |
| Miami | 1,326 |
| Montgomery | 8,461 |
| Preble | 540 |
| Shelby | 646 |
| Warren | 1,540 |
| Total | 39,612 |
* County-by-county data based on previous EITC filings in county (2006) and national estimate that 20 percent of Americans who are eligible for EITC do not apply for it.
With the April 15th federal filing deadline approaching, Brown encourages all eligible Ohioans to take advantage of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), free online filing services, and the free tax preparation services offered throughout the state.
Free Online Filing Services
Ohioans who have access to the internet and gross incomes of $57,000 or less can take advantage of free online filing through the IRS' web site: http://www.freefile.irs.gov/. The IRS Free File Program helps some 98 million Americans each year file their taxes online in a fast, free, and secure fashion. The program gives filers access to tax preparation software that gives them step-by-step assistance toward preparing, completing, and filing their federal tax returns online.
Tax Preparation AssistanceFree tax preparation assistance is available at more than 421 sites across Ohio. For additional information, interested persons should contact the IRS for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) site locators. Call the hotline at: 1-800-906-9887 and enter your zip code for the neatest VITA/TCE site location.
The largest federal aid program, the EITC credit can provide more than $5,600 to qualifying families with children and more than $450 for single households. More information on eligibility and the filing process for the EITC can be found at http://www.irs.gov/.
###
