Federal and State Tax Credits Can Return Money to Low-Income Households
Low-income taxpayers can benefit from a variety of federal and state tax credits, which can help reduce taxes owed or provide refunds to the taxpayer. These tax credits can significantly increase the financial resources available to low-income households.
The federal tax credits include the Earned Income Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the Dependent & Child Care Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Making Work Pay Credit. Michigan tax credits include the state Earned Income Credit (now at 20 percent of the federal credit), the Home Heating Credit, the Homestead Property Tax Credit, and the Child Deduction. Some of these credits are available to individuals who are exempt from filing requirements. In addition, some credits are retroactive and can be claimed after the normal income tax filing deadline of April 15.
The assistance provided through these tax credits can make a difference in the lives of low-income families. Agencies and organizations across the state can help low-income taxpayers benefit from these credits by participating in outreach efforts that may include distribution of informational materials (including articles in newsletters), convening meetings and training sessions and setting up taxpayer assistance clinics during the tax filing season. Outreach should include educating low-income tax filers on the drawbacks of using expensive rapid-refund services that diminish the size of their refund. Free and ethical taxpayer assistance is available in most communities.
The Michigan EITC Statewide Coalition has established a website (www.MichiganEIC.org) to assist tax filers, service providers, and volunteers. Filers can visit the website to find out more about the EITC and whether they qualify, and they can use the website’s free I-CAN! E-File program (also available at www.icanefile.org) to prepare and file their taxes online. Filers and volunteers can also find out about free Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) sites in their communities by going to the website or calling 2-1-1.
Get the Facts about the HPV Vaccine
Beaumont Hospital will host an educational seminar about the HPV vaccine on Saturday, February 6, at 2 p.m. at the Harper Woods Public Library, 19601 Harper Ave. This event is geared to adolescent girls and their mothers and/or female guardians.
In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that 11,070 women will have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,870 women will have died of the disease in 2008. There is an HPV vaccine that is FDA-approved for girls and young women ages 9-26 and it has been shown to be 100 percent effective at preventing infection of the two types of HPV that cause approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases in women who were not previously infected. However, HPV testing is still the best way to identify high-risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
To register for this free program, call the library at 313-343-2575.
Senator Scott represents the 2nd Senate District, which includes areas of Detroit and the cities of Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and all of the Grosse Pointes. She serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senator Martha G. Scott, Post Office Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909
1-800-726-8878 (toll-free from the Detroit area) or 517-373-7748
Fax: 517-373-1387
E-mail: SenMScott@senate.michigan.gov
Web site: www.senate.michigan.gov/scott/
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