National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day January 30, 2015(UPDATED 1/28) Friday, January 30th is National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day and organizations are coming together to celebrate and spread awareness of this powerful tax program.

United Way Free Tax Prep sites across the Mid-South will officially be opened during a ribbon-cutting celebration at the Raleigh Springs Mall Free Tax Prep Super Site, 3403 Raleigh Springs Mall at 1:00 p.m. Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir and City of Memphis Councilman Myron Lowery will be in attendance, along with other representatives from City and County government. Agnes Newman from the Internal Revenue Service will be present and Jean Morton, who is a United Way Board Member and Chairwoman of United Way’s Community Impact work (in addition to her role as Senior VP & Manager, Not For Profit and Government with SunTrust Bank), is serving as host for the event.

Jean Morton

Jean Morton, SunTrust Bank

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is a very important part of the tax code that helps low-to-moderate income individuals and families in their tax returns. In some cases, it can increase tax refunds to the point that they represent a significant percentage of a person’s annual pay,” said Dave Skorupa, VP of Communications for United Way of the Mid-South.

“While some tax preparation organizations encourage filers to come so they can ‘get more’ on their returns, we take that several steps better and promise that filers ‘get all’ of their money, since our service comes with absolutely no costs, fees, or other charges.”

United Way, the Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance volunteers are providing numerous Free Tax Prep sites across the Mid-South. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s most effective anti-poverty programs. It is a financial boost for working people, particularly those still struggling in a recovering economy.

“We know that many individuals and families who could really benefit from this credit may be completely unaware that the program exists. Some sources expect millions of workers to qualify for the EITC for the first time this year. It’s a program that can really make a difference,” Skorupa said.

Nationally, only four out of five people who are eligible for the credit have been claiming it on their tax returns. The United Way Free Tax Prep Sites make sure eligible people are connected with the credit and receive other information that can help improve their overall financial stability.

For more information about the Free Tax Prep location near you and what documents to bring when filing, call the 2-1-1 information line or its backup number, 901.415.2790.

(Note: This article was updated 1/28/15 to share additional information about attendees.)