It could mean health or dental care that all too often is deferred by these families because the money is simply not available. However, fewer than 1 percent of Americans eligible for the credit are getting the advance payments. Last year IRS undertook an extensive publicity campaign to inform employees about EITC and the advance payment option. This year IRS is also focusing on employers throughout the country to help spread the word about the availability of advance payments. Associations can be a tremendous catalyst in making sure their members know about the advance payments, said Commissioner Richardson, because many of them represent employers with lower income workers.
Many eligible workers get the credit when they file their tax return.
Employees get the other 40 percent when they file their taxes in the next year. And for employers, there is minimum reporting, and it doesn't cost them a dime. So, workers get to use the money now instead of waiting for the government to give it back to them in the next year.