WASHINGTON, D.C. – With tax season approaching, 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). In 2012, nearly 945,000 Ohioans saved more than $2.1 billion through this federal credit, but thousands of Ohioans miss out on this credit each year by failing to apply.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit program is an important way for Ohio families to get more of their money back at tax time.”  Brown said. “With tax day approaching, I want to ensure that each Ohioan receives the biggest refund possible. It is my hope that all Ohio families who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit file for it this year.”

The EITC is a refundable tax credit that encourages work, helps families make ends meet, and improves the health and education of children. In 2012, the average EITC family in Ohio received $2,310. But in contrast to the EITC for working families with children, the EITC for noncustodial parents or workers without children remains extremely small — too small even to fully offset federal taxes for workers at the poverty line. As a result, low-wage workers not raising minor children are the only Americans that can be taxed into poverty.

In advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address – which emphasized critical tax relief for working families – Brown called for making the current credit permanent and expansion of the EITC for workers without children by reducing the EITC eligibility age from 25 to 21 and increasing the size of and eligibility for the credit. Below is an analysis of the number of Ohioans who would be helped by Brown’s proposed expansion of the childless EITC in the seven largest metropolitan areas of Ohio.

Metro Area

NEWLY ELIGIBLE

INCREASED  ELIGIBILITY

INCREASED BENEFITS

TOTAL AFFECTED

AVERAGE EITC

 CHANGE IN AVERAGE EITC 

OHIO TOTAL

308,000

100%

310,000

618,000

$710

$450

Akron, OH

22,400

110%

20,700

43,100

$760

$480

Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN

52,200

90%

56,700

109,000

$680

$450

Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH

48,000

85%

55,100

103,100

$700

$440

Columbus, OH

48,700

110%

43,900

92,600

$710

$460

Dayton, OH

24,800

120%

20,900

45,600

$700

$450

Toledo, OH

25,700

140%

18,700

44,500

$720

$450

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA

12,600

75%

16,700

29,300

$700

$420

With the April 15th federal filing deadline approaching, Brown encourages all eligible Ohioans to take advantage of the EITC, free online filing services, and the free tax preparation services offered throughout the state.

Free Online Filing Services

Ohioans with access to the internet and gross incomes of $60,000 or less can take advantage of free online filing through the IRS website: http://www.freefile.irs.gov/. The IRS Free File Program helps many 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 Assistance

Free tax preparation assistance is available at sites across Ohio. Interested persons can locate Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) providers through the IRS website (http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep) or by calling the hotline at: 1-800-906-9887.

More information on eligibility and the filing process for the EITC can be found at http://www.irs.gov/.

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