FEDERAL EARNED INCOME CREDIT (EIC)
Where to Get Help in Completing Your Tax Form
NOTE: Glossary words appear in blue. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are places where tax filers can go to get free help with their federal tax forms. VITA sites are located in community centers, libraries, churches, shopping malls, retirement homes, and similar locations.
To find a VITA site near you, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. VITA sites are open during tax season, usually from January through April.
With the assistance of a volunteer tax advisor, you may be able to electronically file your tax return at one of these VITA sites. Electronic filing (referred to as "e-file" by the IRS) is free and can speed up receiving a tax refund from the U.S. Treasury (who issues checks for the IRS).
If you go to a VITA site you should bring the following tax records:
- A copy of your last year’s tax return, if you have one.
- Your Social Security number.
- If you are married, your spouse’s Social Security number.
- If you care for one or more children, those children’s Social Security numbers.
- W-2 forms for all your jobs and, if married, your spouse’s job(s). If you do not have a W-2 form, bring your end of year pay stub.
- Form 1099-G if you or your spouse received unemployment insurance.
- Form 1099-NT if you or your spouse received any bank interest.
- If you own a home, your mortgage interest statement.
- Any other forms related to income or finances that you think might be important.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS will calculate the amount of Earned Income Credit you may claim if you request them to do so. Specific instructions on how to have the IRS compute the EIC for you can be found on the IRS web site: 2009 Publication 967: The IRS will figure your tax.
For tax year 2009 forms, these instructions tell you to do the following:
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For Form 1040EZ, print "EIC" in the space to the left of line 9a.
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For Form 1040A, print "EIC" in the space to the left of line 41a.
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For Form 1040, print "EIC" on the dotted line to the left of line 64a.
Then, do not fill in any lines on the form you use that relate to your total payments, overpayment, refund, or amount of tax you might owe. The IRS will calculate the EIC amount and then compute the other figures, once this amount is determined.
If you have a qualifying child, you must fill in Schedule EIC (Earned Income Credit) and submit it with your tax return.
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