Low-income Philadelphians are being encouraged to take advantage of free tax preparation services in the hopes that they will maximize their tax benefits.

“Every year, thousands and thousands and thousands of Philadelphians, unfortunately, lose millions of dollars in benefits that they’re eligible for,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “We need to make sure that people get every dime that they are owed as citizens of the United States of America. That starts with getting information about the tax credit.”

In an effort to raise awareness, Nutter declared Jan. 27 Earned Income Tax Credit Savings Day.

He was joined by The Campaign for Working Families and the Urban Affairs Coalition, who announced the opening of nine sites across the city where volunteers will prepare tax returns for low-income residents

“We can put money in your pocket,” said Khadijah Jones, director of the Campaign for Working Families.

Among the most overlooked benefit is the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is available for families making less than $50,000 and individuals with an income less than $20,000.

The refundable credit is worth as much as $5,751.

According to statistics provided by the Internal Revenue Service, only about 5 percent of eligible families take advantage of the tax credit.

“How is that possible?” asked James Daugherty, territory manager with the IRS. “People go in and out of EITC population all the time.”

Income fluctuations, employment, marital status, children living at home, all affect eligibility which means many people are either unaware that they are eligible, or don’t want to be bothered, he explained.

It’s worth the effort to find out.

“It’s generally going to bring a couple of thousand dollars into a community,” he said. “Money that comes into a community stays in a community.”

Nationally, about 26 million people received $59 billion in EITC in 2011, said Lourdes Padilla, deputy secretary of the state Department of Public Welfare. Among them were 900,000 Pennsylvanians who received average refunds of more than $2,000

Over the last nine years, volunteers with Campaign for Working Families have prepared 102,820 tax returns, netting $168.7 million for families in Philadelphia. In addition, they saved those families an estimated $22.3 million in tax preparation services and fees.

“Numbers like these certainly justify devoting a special day for EITC awareness,” she said. “We want to spread the word to even more Pennsylvanians about this valuable resource.”

The average income of the Philadelphia families served by the campaign over the last nine years was $21,489.

Sites are open throughout the city through April 17.

They are: The Mayor’s Offices of Community Services, 1113 Chestnut St. and at 7315 Castor Ave.; PA CareerLink Northwest, 235 Chelten Ave.; Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Ave.; Impact Services, 1952 E. Allegheny Ave.; Diversified Community Services, 1529 S. 22nd St.; United Communities, 2029 S. 8th St.; Ebenezer Temple Church, 5649 Christian St., Mount Pisgah Church, 428 N. 41st St.

In addition, two mobile sites are available at www.myfreetaxes.com/philly and selfserve.thebenefitbank.com.

For hours or for more information call 311 or visit www.CWFPhilly.org.

Contact staff writer Eric Mayes at (215) 893-5742 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .