The phone bank at Heart of Florida United Way in Orlando is beefed up in anticipation of a high number of calls from those seeking tax help and have questions about the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The Internal Revenue Service describes EITC as a tax benefit for individuals and families who have low to moderate income. It reduces the taxes owed and could result in a refund.
"There are a lot of hard-working people in central Florida who qualify for it and need that extra money at the end of the year. Maybe they're working two jobs, maybe a spouse has lost their employment and this money makes a big difference at the end of the year for hard-working families," said Mark Batchelor of Heart of Florida United Way.
The United Way estimates that one in four people here qualify, but aren't aware of it. According to officials, a family making up to $52,000 could qualify.
"If' you've qualified in years past, you can still get that money retroactively up to three years," Batchelor said.
To learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit, and to find out if you qualify for tax help from Heart of Florida United Way, call 211.