By Emily Randall
Northeast News
Feb. 10, 2010

Historic Northeast resident LaToya Jones just gets by as a single mother of two.

She has had trouble finding dependable childcare, which has kept her at home with her 2-year-old and 5-month-old instead of at work. Jones filed her taxes this past Thursday at a KC CASH free tax preparation site and was excited to hear she may be receiving as much as a $5,000 Earned Income Tax Credit.

“I’m really looking forward to it because I have two kids,” Jones said, adding she’ll need that money to get her children in childcare when she goes back to school this fall to study culinary arts.

Jones is one of thousands of Kansas City residents getting much needed extra cash in their pockets this tax season. With so many out of work and struggling, more people than ever are eligible for the credit, but unfortunately, Maggie Doedtman of KC Creating Assets, Savings and Hope said, one in four people who are eligible do not end up claiming their money. This leaves $40 million unclaimed by Kansas City area residents.

“We know those funds could’ve really helped a lot of people,” Doedtman said. “This year the EITC is more important than ever.”

A low-income family with three or more children can receive an EITC of up to $5,657; a family with two or more children can receive up to $5,028; a family with one child can receive up to $3,043; and a couple or individual with no children could receive up to $457.

In order to qualify for the maximum EITC, a taxpayer’s income cannot exceed:

• $43,279 with three or more children.

• $40,295 with two children.

• $35,463 with one child.

• $13,440 with no children.

For married couples filing jointly, add $5,000 to each of the figures above. Those whose income exceeds these amounts may still be eligible to receive an EITC of a lesser amount.

The EITC is intended to ease the burden of Social Security taxes on people who work but don’t make much money, especially those with children. Although the EITC program has been around since 1975, Doedtman said many people aren’t aware of it. Each year Congress makes changes to the program, which can confuse taxpayers.

This year, however, KC CASH — a coalition working to help people build financial stability — is teaming up with the United Way of Greater Kansas City to boost awareness of EITC and see that people receive all the cash that is due to them.

The United Way 2-1-1 Hotline is offering information about qualifying for EITC and finding a KC CASH free tax preparation site. Anyone may call 2-1-1 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive this information, along with information about assistance programs out there.

United Way President Brent Stewart said 60 percent of callers to 2-1-1 recently have been looking for financial assistance or a food pantry.

“If those people get several thousand dollars back on their EITC, it would make a huge difference,” Stewart said.

KC CASH free tax preparation sites in and near Historic Northeast are:

• Salvation Army-Bellefontaine Corps, 3013 E. Ninth St. (Assistance in Spanish available)

• Housing Authority of Kansas City, Mo., 299 Paseo Blvd. (Assistance in Spanish available)

• Full Employment Council, 1740 Paseo Blvd.

To find open hours at these three sites or find another site, call 2-1-1.