Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway is reminding Madison residents who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to take the steps necessary to claim their benefits. While the Credit can provide significant cash payments to eligible residents, each year millions of dollars are forfeited because residents fail to submit their claims.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal benefit designed to boost the incomes of lower-wage workers. It may give you money back at tax time or lower the federal taxes you owe. You can claim the credit whether you’re single or married, have children or not. The main requirement is that you must earn money from a job.

The credit amount depends on your income, marital status, and family size. For tax year 2022, the credit is worth up to $6,935. The credit amount rises with earned income until it reaches a maximum amount, then gradually phases out. Families with more children are eligible for higher credit amounts. See attachment for table.

You cannot get the EITC if you have investment income of more than $10,300 in 2022. Investment income includes taxable interest, tax-exempt interest, and capital gain distributions.

“This benefit can be a real lifeline for working individuals and families. A large percentage of the population who are eligible miss out on this tax credit because they don’t know about it or how to claim it. There are many free resources in the City of Madison you can use to help you determine your eligibility. Even if you didn’t qualify for it last year, circumstances may have changed to make you eligible this year,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

Three Madison Public Library sites offer free tax service this year by appointment:

• Lakeview (AARP) on the north side. Appointments are booked for the season, however, there’s a chance more appointments will open up. Call 608-246-4547.
• Sequoya (AARP) on the west side. Appointments are available in March and early April.  Call 608-266-6385
• Central (VITA) downtown. February is currently filled, but more appointments for March and April will open up on February 22. Call 608-266-6300.

Click here for more information on library tax services.
           
Other sites offering free tax services are:

• Goodwill (VITA), various sites in South Central Wisconsin, Madison. Click here to make an appointment.
• Richard Dilley Tax Center (UW Extension) at 2300 South Park St. in Madison. Click here to make an appointment.

Mayor Rhodes-Conway is also calling on employers in the Madison area to help get the word out about the EITC to their employees, customers and clients. “Please communicate to hardworking families that it’s worth checking out this benefit to see if they’re eligible,” she said.

Media Inquiries:
Liz Stanislawski, Dept. Of Planning & Community & Economic Development
Public Information Officer
dpced@cityofmadison.com