Civil Rights Coalition Lauds Introduction of Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act

Washington, DC – This morning the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) joined Senate Democratic Conference Vice-Chair Charles Schumer and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel to introduce new legislation that will help expand the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

LCCR executive vice president Nancy Zirkin made the following statement:

“The Earned Income Tax Credit isn’t an infomercial promising magic money.  It’s the real deal – a program that lets working Americans keep more of their money, lifts families out of poverty, and helps them save for the future.

Yet millions of working Americans don’t take advantage of the program because they don’t know about it or that they are eligible for it.

Now there’s legislation that enjoys broad bipartisan support – the Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act of 2008. This legislation requires employers to let their workers know they’re qualified for EITC so that they can take advantage of the program.

A recent analysis by the Joint Economic Committee found that in 2004 there were approximately $8 billion in unclaimed earned income credits. This legislation will allow millions of working Americans who didn’t know they were eligible to use the EITC to increase their incomes.”