Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined leaders from the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Internal Revenue Service at a press conference to promote Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness (EITC).
 
The event signaled the launch of a public-awareness campaign to urge Atlantans to take advantage of this often-overlooked tax credit which is available to moderate and low-income residents.
 
“Too many eligible residents are leaving money on the table by not filing for this tax credit, which could add thousands of dollars to their pockets through their tax return,” said Mayor Bottoms. “This is a credit that has been earned by taxpayers, and we urge everyone who may be eligible to work with the United Way to maximize their returns by filing for the EITC.”
 
The United Way of Greater Atlanta provides free tax preparation throughout the region with its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where certified, IRS-trained tax experts help residents file for their rightful claim to the Earned Income Tax Credit and recoup the money they deserve. The 2019 tax season concluded with 552 VITA volunteers preparing 15,442 returns, which accounted for more than $14 million in refunds returned to hard-working families, single parents and individuals.
 
For tax year 2014, 47,643 City of Atlanta residents filed for and received the EITC, earning credits totaling over $136 million in value, or $2,861 on average per filer. According to the Internal Revenue Service, approximately one out of five taxpayers nationally who are eligible for the EITC do not receive it. Many taxpayers are either unaware of the EITC or their eligibility for it. In Atlanta, this would mean that 12,000 eligible residents are not receiving funds they are entitled to receive, worth potentially more than $34 million annually.
 
An Earned Income Tax Credit Community Resource Fair took place in the City Hall atrium directly following the announcement to allow the public and employees to speak with representatives and partners about the Earned Income Tax Credit.
 
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