Date:   January 31, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 1ST IS EITC AWARENESS DAY; UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY HELPING SPREAD THE WORD

(AKRON, OHIO) – The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families.  Thursday, February 1, 2007 has been deemed EITC Awareness Day on a national and local level, and Summit County residents are encouraged to investigate the guidelines and discover if they are eligible to benefit from the government’s largest cash assistance program targeted to low-income Americans.

Those guidelines include:

• Families with one child who earn less than $32,001 in 2006 (or less than $34,001 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $2,747.

• Families with two or more children who earned less than $36,348 in 2006 (or less than $38,348 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $4,536.

• Individuals who do not have a qualifying child, but are between the ages of 25 and 64, with earned income of less than $12,120 in 2006 (or less than $14,120 for married workers filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $412.

The City of Akron and Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. are offering free electronic tax filing assistance to low-income individuals.  To set up an appointment, call 1-866-861-6401, or for more information call 330-376-6660.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.