The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to individuals and families earning less than $49,000 in 2010. This is the federal government's largest anti-poverty measure and can be up to $5,666 depending on income and family type.

The "Earn It, Keep It, Save It" program is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that recruits volunteer tax preparers to provide free preparation and e-filing of Federal and State Income Tax Returns to taxpayers with low incomes. VITA benefits these taxpayers in two basic ways. First, by eliminating the cost of commercial tax return preparation; and secondly, it secures valuable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Click here for a 2011 VITA Flyer (pdf)

2011 EITC Sites: Sites Open January 31, 2011 - April 16, 2011

• Social Security card for each family member or ITIN number for the working adult
• W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2010
• All 1099 forms for other income
• Child Care provider information: name, address, and Tax ID (if available)
• Picture I.D. for each adult filing
• For direct deposit of refund - bank routing and account number

VITA's "Earn It, Keep It, Save It" program is a community initiative led by the Business and Employment Services Department of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, United Way of Ventura County, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, and the IRS.

Individuals who need more information should contact (805) 485-6288, ext. 226.
For more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit Program, please visit www.irs.gov.