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A variety of federal and state tax credits can help you to increase your family’s income, but you must file a federal tax return to receive federal credits and a state tax return to receive state tax credits. These tax credits can be worth more than $5,000 for you each year, so be sure to check to see if you are eligible. Even people who are not required to file a tax return and do not owe taxes may be eligible. Some people are eligible for tax credits for up to three years, so if you missed filing for a tax credit this year or in the past two years, you may still be able to receive it. Here are some major tax credits described below.
At the bottom of this section is information about where you can go to get free income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is both a federal and state tax benefit for people working full or part-time. It is designed to reduce your tax burden and add to your wages. If you are eligible, the federal Earned Income Tax Credit could be worth up to almost $5,000 each year but you must file a federal and state tax return to claim it. The eligibility for both the federal and SC EITC is the same. You must have worked for at least part of the year. Eligibility then depends on the amount of your earned income, whether you are married or single, and the number of children you have (none, one, or two or more). You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident alien and have a valid social security number for yourself, spouse, and all children. The income guidelines for the EITC increase each year to keep pace with the rising cost of living. Or go to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov and use the search box and enter “EITC eligibility.”
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit supports families raising children by providing a credit at tax time. The maximum amount of the credit is $1,000 for each qualifying child. The Child Tax Credit may be limited depending on the amount of your tax liability and your modified adjusted gross income. Or go to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov and use the search box and enter “Child Tax Credit eligibility.”
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available to tax filers if you had to pay someone to provide care for a child or other dependent (for example a parent or spouse) who is not capable of taking care of themselves. In order to be eligible, the person claiming the credit must have paid a caregiver in order to be able to go to work. Expenses for summer camp programs are also eligible if you are using the camp as child care while you are at work. Or go to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov and use the search box and enter “Child and Dependent Care Credit eligibility.”
Credit for the Elderly or Persons with Disabilities
The Credit for the Elderly and Disabled is available to those who are age 65 or older or to those younger than 65 who are retired because of permanent and total disability. The eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or resident as well as restrictions on both sources and amounts of income. Or go to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov and use the search box and enter “Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled.” Or call the AARP at 919-755-9757 or TTY 919-508-0290.
Check out the National Women's Law Center's write-up of other Family Tax Credits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to help low-income taxpayers with the preparation of returns and also to help them obtain eligible tax credits and deductions, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, Education Tax Credits and Child Care tax deductions. Anyone who files a basic tax return can have taxes prepared at one of the VITA sites.
VITA tax season starts at the end of January and lasts through April. If you file a basic tax return, please visit one of the locations to have your tax returns prepared FREE of charge. We have established nine sites this year, each staffed by volunteer tax preparers who are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax preparer volunteers ensure that individuals claim all of the tax credits for which they are eligible. All taxes are filed electronically.
2009 VITA Sites
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United Ministries
503 Vardry St. Greenville, SC 29601
Call (864) 242-0917
No appointment needed
Site Coordinator: Dr. Suzy Summers
Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. January 27 - April 14
Site Coordinator: Welch Bostick
Friday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. January 30 - April 10
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. January 31 - April 11
Northwest Crescent Center
925 North Franklin Rd. Greenville, SC 29617
Call (864) 355-4080
No appointment needed
Site Coordinator: Dr. Suzy Summers
Monday: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. January 26 - April 13
Taylors First Baptist Church Ministries Center
(Old Taylors Post Office building)
200 West Main St. Taylors, SC 29687
Call (864) 382-3325 for appointment
Site Coordinator: Duane Bates
Monday and Tuesday: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
February 2 - April 11
Center for Community Services
1102 Howard Dr. Simpsonville, SC 29681
Call (864) 688-2243 for appointment
Site Coordinators: Fred Echeverria and Dennis Meyers
Monday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
February 9 - April 10
Spanish available on Tuesdays and Fridays. |
Fountain Inn Library
311 North Main St. Fountain Inn, SC 29644
(864) 862-2576
No appointment needed
Site Coordinator: Tom Sheaffer
Saturday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. January 31 - April 11
Closed March 14
Greer Relief
202 Victoria St. Greer, SC 29652-1303
Call (864) 848-5355 for an appointment
Site Coordinator: Nathan Ilg
Thursday: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. February 12 - April 9
Foothills Family Resources
3 Main St. Slater, SC 29683
Call (864) 382-3325 for appointment
Site Coordinator: Welch Bostick
Monday: 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. February 9 - April 13
Phillis Wheatley Association
40 John McCarroll Way Greenville, SC 29607
Call (864) 382-3325 for appointment
Site Coordinator: Welch Bostick
Tuesday: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. February 10 - April 14
Piedmont Emergency Relief
Piedmont Community Building
3 Main St. Piedmont, SC 29673
Call (864) 845-5535 for an appointment
Site Coordinator: Monica Shealy
Thursday: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. February 19 - April 9
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Where else can I go to get tax help?
For further tax assistance help check out: www.irs.gov
If you are having difficulty resolving a tax problem (such as one involving an IRS bill, letter or notice) through normal IRS channels, the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help. For more information, you can also call the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778, TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059. In some cases, you may qualify for free or low-cost assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITCs are independent organizations that represent low income taxpayers in tax disputes with the IRS. Find information on an LITC in your area.
Greenville South Carolina Legal Services 1-888-346-5592 Provides help in Spanish in addition to English. Types of services offered: Both Controversy and ESL clinic.
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