New EITC Assistant Debuts on IRS.gov

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled a new tool to help tax professionals determine whether their clients are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The new application is available in English and Spanish.

The EITC Assistant is another in a series of steps being taken by the IRS to maximize taxpayer participation while minimizing EITC errors.

“This tool will help tax professionals and taxpayers navigate what can be quite complex qualification standards for the EITC,’ said Mark W. Everson, IRS Commissioner. “This is part of our on-going effort to help those who qualify, but only those who qualify, claim this important benefit.’

Starting today, the EITC Assistant will help determine eligibility for the credit, help determine filing status of the taxpayers and help determine if the taxpayers´ children meet the definition of “qualifying children’ for EITC purposes. Improvements to EITC Assistant will continue. Beginning next year, tax professionals and taxpayers will be able to use it to calculate the amount of the expected credit.

The EITC Assistant also is part of an on-going effort to enhance electronic communications with tax preparers and taxpayers.

During the 2005 filing season, EITC Assistant will be prominently displayed on IRS.gov. Currently, it can be reached through the main pages for Tax Professionals, Individuals or Español on IRS.gov

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