January 31 is National EITC Awareness Day. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the nation's largest and most powerful anti poverty program to date. Since enacted in 1975, EITC has helped tens of millions of Americans make the transition from public assistance to economic independence. Working with government, community and local businesses, United Way of Ocean County has taken the lead in bringing recognition to this program through media and community outreach.

According to the IRS, 25% of households within Ocean County appear to be eligible for EITC. Each year, Ocean County residents miss out on millions of dollars by not claiming the EITC on their federal and New Jersey state tax returns. A family in New Jersey with two or more children earning less than $39,783 may qualify for as much as $5,659 in federal and state tax credits for the 2007 tax year. Unclaimed credits can be claimed up to three years prior.

To further the awareness of EITC, United Way of Ocean County and Ms. Edele Hovnanian are sponsoring an Earned Income Tax Credit Conference on February 28, 2008 at the Ramada Inn, Toms River to area employers and human service agencies. Spend the morning at this free breakfast conference learning how employers can retain staff by increasing their take home pay at no cost to the company and help working families keep more of that they work for. This program will feature presentations from Freeholder Little, New Jersey Division of Human Services, IRS, Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness, and O.C.E.A.N, Inc. Seating is limited and by reservation only, so please contact the United Way of Ocean County at 732-240-0311