EIC comes as a federal income tax refund or reduced tax. Many eligible people miss the EIC even though they file. Avoiding the tax system, as many low-wage workers do, means that these neediest workers miss benefits that could help them find and keep better jobs. To get the regular EITC for 1998 earnings, workers must file Form 1040 or 1040A plus Schedule EIC by April 15.
Benefits vary by income and family type .
Since people who are eligible for the EIC earn low incomes, it usually doesn't make sense for them to pay for tax preparation when there is another choice. Most communities have several VITA sites, located in churches, libraries, shopping malls, community colleges, and other public places , although there are not as many in rural areas. VITA sites are open from late January or early February through April 15. VITA volunteers are trained by the IRS to fill out tax forms and answer questions . More VITA sites are becoming equipped to file tax forms electronically, or they can arrange for this to be done at a central location after the return is prepared.