SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As tax filing season ramps up, one state senator is highlighting changes to the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit.
Low to moderate wage earners may be eligible for the credit, which has recently been expanded.
Senator Omar Aquino of Chicago says the expansion includes making the credit worth more and adding those with an Illinois taxpayer identification or “I-TIN” number instead of a social security number.
“I-TIN filers are folks that may be undocumented, however they are taxpayers, they’re paying into our tax base. So, while we’re generating revenue from them, it’s important that those type of folks, that again, are workers in our communities are able to get some of their money back into their pockets,” Aquino says.
Taxpayers who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit automatically qualify for the state credit.
According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, thousands of people each year fail to take advantage of this benefit.
To learn more about Illinois’ Earned Income Tax Credit, click HERE.