PSE&G urges New Jersey’s workforce members who are in financial
difficulty to see if they are eligible for the 2013 Earned Income Tax
Credit (EITC). This special credit reduces the amount of taxes owed by
eligible workers and sometimes provides a tax refund as well.
Depending on their income, individuals who worked full- or part-time or
were self-employed in 2013 may qualify for the credit, regardless of
whether they are married or have children. New parents, foster parents,
and grandparents raising grandchildren all may be eligible. Some
families, including those raising children with disabilities and those
in the military, often don’t know that special rules may make them
eligible, as well.
“The earned income tax credit can help working New Jerseyans who are
struggling to make ends meet,” said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G’s vice
president of customer solutions. “Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked.
We’re appealing to the public to claim this credit if they are eligible,
and also let their friends and family know about it.”
Individuals can receive a federal credit ranging from $487 to $6,044 and
a state credit ranging from $97 to $1,209. The chart below provides
income eligibility information.
Each year the EITC puts billions of dollars into the hands of millions
of lower- to middle-income workers. In 2012, approximately 568,000
eligible families and individuals claimed nearly $1.3 million in federal
EITC. Approximately 467,622 of those received an additional $232 million
in state EITC benefits. The average state EITC credit amount was $411.
New Jersey residents should know that those eligible for the New Jersey
EITC must file a state resident income tax return, even if they have no
tax liability to New Jersey and do not usually file a state tax form.
The state of New Jersey has launched a public awareness campaign to
promote the tax benefit and urges all eligible residents to take
advantage of the program. The New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Family Development, PSE&G, the Advocates for Children of New
Jersey, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are working together to
spread the word. The IRS estimate four of five eligible taxpayers
received their EITC last year. This means that millions of additional
taxpayers are getting the credit they have earned.
PSE&G includes EITC information on the company’s website at www.pseg.com/eitc
and in customer bill messages during the first few months of the year.
In addition, several of PSE&G’s 16 Customer Service Centers display EITC
information at the center.
New Jersey individuals and families whose 2013 earnings were lower than
$51,000 can get their taxes prepared free of charge. To find out where
you can get free help filing your taxes, call the NJ Community Resource
Hotline at 211 or 1-877-652-1148.
For general information, visit www.njeitc.org
For information on the Federal EITC, call 1-800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov/eitc.
For information about the New Jersey EITC, call 1-866-698-9065 or visit www.njtaxation.org.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest
and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly
three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the
ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is
a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG)
(NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).
