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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-041 RESOLUTION NO. 10-041 A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING JANUARY 29, 2010, AS "EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) AWARENESS DAY" INST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), approved by Congress in 1975, is a refundable federal income tax credit for low/moderate income working individuals and families and is the nation's largest anti-poverty program. When the credit exceeds the amount oftaxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who qualify for and claim the credit. The EITC was devised to improve quality of life by encouraging the use of this refund for necessities such as reliable transportation, safe housing, college funds or savings. This credit improves the economy by bringing in and circulating more money into the local economy. 2. Each year millions of dollars of Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed bythe working families in St. Lucie County because they lack information or affordable assistance. St. Lucie County is workingto substantially increase the number of families claiming EITC dollars, with additional goals to provide access to financial education and other asset building programs. 3. Annually many low/moderate income residents pay high prices for tax preparation services, as well as exorbitant interest on rapid refund loans. The availablityof local volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites is an additional service of which many residents are unaware. 4. This campaign, sponsored by St. Lucie County Community Services, is a unique collaboration of public, private and non-profit organizations across the four county area, supported by the Treasure Coast Community Action Agency, City of Port St. Lucie, Save Our Children, Miracle Prayer Temple, Mustard Seed Ministries, Harvest Food and Outreach, Volunteers in Tax Assistance (VITA), other businesses and community-based organizations, and many local volunteers. 5. Through this effort, citizens can receive free tax preparation by volunteer preparers atfivesitesthroughoutSt. Lucie County, ensuringthatthose eligibleforthe Earned IncomeTaxCredit will receive their full, earned share. 6. St. Lucie County is proud to share in this effort of promoting economic opportunity and financial education to our citizens: • New EITC provisions mean more money for larger families. • EITC can be a financial boost for working people hit by hard economic times. • One in four eligible taxpayers could miss out because they are not aware of EITC. • Taxpayers can get free help determining their eligibility for EITC and other credits by visiting a local volunteer tax preparation site, by visiting their local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or using the EITC Assistant at www.irs.gov/eitc. • Anyone who earned less than $49,000 and whose financial, marital or parental status changed this year should check to see if they qualify. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida: 1. This Board does hereby proclaim January 29, 2010, as "EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) AWARENESS DAY" in St. Lucie County, Florida. 2. This Board commends all those taking part in this campaign for their dedication to providingourcitizenswithknowledge and toolsfor improved financial self-sufficiency; and encourage individuals and families to take full advantage of the many benefits afforded them by the EITC. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this day of , 2010. ATTEST: BOARD OF COI~NTY CQMMISSIONERS ST. LUCI~~COUi'~TY, F ORIDA 4~ BY: ' DEPUTY CLERK F.~~~~> CHAIR ' N - ~ - ~A APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND ' ~ 1 ~s~ COUNTY A O NEY ~ ~r~' ~:x::-~s~y'