Op/Ed: Get Your Earned Income Tax Credit

By Luis Alejo

Despite signs that the economy is improving, many people are still struggling to make ends meet. These days, every dollar counts.

This is why it is so important that local residents are made aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—which could mean an additional $5,751 for your family. You may be entitled to this even if you didn’t earn much in 2011.

Each year millions of Californians qualify for the EITC due to a change in their marital, parental or financial status, but they simply don’t know about it. Last year over 800,000 Californians were eligible for the EITC but did not claim it.

The EITC program was originally designed as an anti-poverty measure for low to moderate income wage earners so they and their families could keep more of what they earn.  Some, especially younger Californians, earned little in 2011 and may not be required to file their taxes. But, by not filing they also may be cheating themselves out of money they are owed by the government! 

To help constituents with this issue, my office will be hosting . It will feature with bilingual tax preparers from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and local tax preparers to answer questions and setup appointments for free tax preparation for those who qualify. 

At the resource event, you will be given all the information you need to file your taxes and to see if you qualify for the EITC.

The “Earned Income Tax Credit” resource event will be hosted at the Mi Pueblo Foods Shopping Center at 1437 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville on Saturday, March 17, and is open to the entire community. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. I encourage everyone to come out to this event to get their tax questions answered. 

For help finding a local VITA site call your local 211community resource live, the IRS at 1-800-906-9887, or my district office at (831) 759-8676.

Editor's note: This story was corrected on March 14 to state not filing your taxes is not illegal.

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Luis Alejo represents the 28th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of San Benito County, the Salinas Valley, North Monterey County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville