and that of most every tax preparer in the country, I would imagine... Earned Income Tax Credit. It's a lovely thing and people who work hard and have children to claim more than deserve it. But I wish the IRS would stop advertising it to every taxpayer on the planet! They send out these slick marketing brochures - which I am sure are really aimed at getting people to file their taxes - telling them that they could be eligible for a $6500 credit. Free money? Oooh - yes! I should get it, I am deserving - the mental wheels are turning as dollar signs appear... But wait - what the IRS fails to include in this over-the-top marketing campaign are the guidelines for said tax credit. You cannot imagine how many disappointed clients I have when I explain that they A) made too much money (or have no children to claim!) to eligible for earned income credit, 2) are over 65 and are too old for said credit and d) they have no earned income. I think it would be a better idea for the IRS to save the money they spend on advertising the EITC and invest it in making the filing and refund process faster. I mean, ten days for direct deposit isn't bad at all, considering the sheer volume of tax returns and refunds they process, but if they could speed it up just a little, maybe Congress would consider outlawing those wildly expensive Refund Anticipation Loans that are designed by big business to rip small taxpayers off. But that's just me talking. I'm not eligible for earned income credit, but I did win $5 on the lottery this week.
Five bucks is five bucks.
You are so funny!
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