On Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, Pappas Holds Tax Filing Webinar

As tax-filing season begins, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) held an online webinar Friday with tax preparation and legal experts to share resources and information about how Granite Staters, in particular lower-income individuals or those in historically underserved communities, can get free tax help so they can qualify to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The event was part of Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, an effort spearheaded by the IRS and partners to raise awareness of the EITC to ensure every qualified worker claims and receives their EITC. The EITC could provide up to $6,700 to eligible taxpayers, but to qualify, you must file a tax return and claim the credit to receive it.

"The Earned Income Tax Credit can be a critical lifeline for Granite Staters who need extra help making ends meet, affording rent or their groceries, or beginning to put a little money away every month to save," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "You must file a tax return and claim the credit to receive it, and we know that for many in our community, that can be a challenge. That is why I was pleased to partner with 603 Legal Aid and Granite United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to get the word out about the Earned Income Tax Credit and about the resources available to help Granite Staters file their taxes to take advantage of the credit.

A full video of the webinar can be found here.

Rep. Pappas supported the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which increased the Earned-Income Tax Credit from $543 to $1,502 and expanded the EITC for over 17 million adults not raising children at home who work lower-wage jobs.

Last year, Granite United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide provided tax preparation help to community members at Rep. Pappas's Manchester District Office for those in low to moderate-income households, and underserved communities, such as those with disabilities, limited English language proficiency, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and people experiencing homelessness.

First District constituents with questions about how to access tax preparation services or are looking for more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit can contact Congressman Pappas's office at (603) 285-4300 or go to www.pappas.house.gov