LAFAYETTE – Low and moderate income people and families can get help with earned income tax credit and free tax preparation at Lafayette Urban Ministry, 420 N. Fourth St. starting Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The program, sponsored by Lafayette Urban Ministry, Bison Financial Group and Lafayette Community Bank, will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. and will end April 15.

Appointments will also be taken Tuesdays and Thursdays.

With technical expertise from Bison Financial Group, certified volunteers at LUM will help low-income workers file their taxes electronically for a fast, free refund in about 10 days.

Federal law requires that employers provide W-2 forms by February 1st, and many have done so already. So, we encourage workers to wait until they get their tax information and then get their taxes done for free.

Lafayette Community Bank will open savings accounts for those clients who do not have them, thus allowing their return to be direct deposited for a quick turn around.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax break designed to help people who work but have low incomes. A worker who earned less than $48,000 last year and has three or more children probably qualifies for some EITC. Thousands of low and moderate wage workers may qualify.

Refunds can total $5,000 per family, based on earnings and family situation. Those who are eligible can “back file” for as many as three years.

The Earned Income Tax Credit can significantly benefit families, local economies and the economy of Indiana. According to Patti O'Callaghan of Lafayette Urban Ministry, “This is real money in the hands of working families who will spend it in Tippecanoe County on such things as food, clothing, rent and utilities.” This year even more credits are available due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.