January 28, 2022 is Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, and that means tax season is upon us. Unfortunately, countless Athenians are joining others around the state and nation in leaving millions of dollars on the table. Wil Golden is the Assistant Project Manager for the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, Project at UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
“We’re estimating five million goes unclaimed in earned income tax credits in Athens-Clarke County.”
The EITC is a refundable credit for those who quality, and Golden says many more taxpayers qualify than realize.
“You could make up to $50,000 and still get earned income,” according to Golden. “I think there’s a stigma, or a thought that I make too much money.”
UGA’s EITC Project sends trained students to provide free tax filing for most who ask. Last year, they completed 1500 tax returns for a total of $2.4 million in Athens.
“In 2021 the earned income tax credit was worth up to $6,728. For single individuals, older than 18, the maximum credit for 2021 is $1,502,”
For more information, to schedule an appointment or view the list of pop-up locations and hours, visit, www.fcs.uga.edu.