DETERMINING YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Eligible taxpayers may receive up to $4,400.00 back at tax time, if they file for the Earned Income Credit.

Taxpayers who file electronically will usually receive their tax refunds, and the Earned Income Credit, much sooner than those who file by mail.

In determining eligibility, we evaluate each taxpayer's situation individually.

We serve low-income taxpayers who have disputes with the IRS.

We serve low-income taxpayers in Rhode Island for whom English is a second language.

We help taxpayers who do not already have representation in their case and who cannot afford to pay for legal representation or tax assistance. We will not handle cases with more than $50,000.00 in dispute.

The factors we consider in accepting a case are:

  • current income and income on the return;
  • domestic violence;
  • physical or mental disability;
  • number of family members; and
  • nature and complexity of the tax issue 

To find out if we can help, call us at 401-274-2652, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (EST). After you call or visit, an advocate will arrange an interview for you. We may ask you to send or bring copies of tax returns, IRS notices, IRS correspondence, and other documents about your tax problem.

We will contact you in writing, usually within 10 days, to say whether we can represent you. If we cannot represent you, we will try to help you find an attorney, accountant or volunteer who may be able to help.

NOTE

:
This information cannot take the place of advice from a lawyer. Each case is different and needs individual legal advice
(Click your taxpayer status to toggle between showing and hiding the collapsible answer content)

Part A. CAN YOU ANSWER YES to ALL of the following:

  1. BOTH I and my spouse (if filing married) have a valid Social Security card
  2. My children have valid social security numbers
  3. I am filing Single or Married Filing Jointly
  4. I have been a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident all year
  5. I do have foreign earned income (and will not file Form 2555)
  6. I do not have investment income totaling more than $2,700.00
  7. I worked and earned money

Part B. If you have children, can you answer YES to the following questions?

  1. My child is related to me in the following manner:
    • My daughter, son, stepdaughter, stepson, or a descendant of any of them; OR
    • A brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them, who I cared for as my own child; OR
    • An eligible foster child placed by an authorized agency or court whom I cared for as my own child
  2. My child is:
    • Under the age of 19; OR
    • under 24 and a full time student; OR
    • any age if totally and permanently disabled
  3. My child has lived with me for more than 6 months during the year
  4. My child is not being claimed on someone else's tax return or a "qualifying child" of another person with a higher adjusted gross income.
  5. My earned income and adjusted gross income are less than
    • $35,263 if I have more than one qualifying child; OR
    • $31,030 if I have only one qualifying child
    • PLEASE NOTE: You may increase your income by $2,000 if you are married filing jointly

If you can answer YES to all of the above, you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and can receive up to $4,400.00 back at tax time

Part A. CAN YOU ANSWER YES to ALL of the following:

  • I have a valid Social Security card
  • I am filing Single or Married Filing Jointly
  • I have been a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident all year
  • I do not have foreign earned income (and will not file Form 2555)
  • I do not have investment income totaling more than $2,700.00
  • I worked and earned money

Part B. If you DO NOT have children, can you answer YES to the following questions?

  • Are you (or your spouse if married filing jointly) between the ages of 25 and 64 ?
  • Are you NOT the dependent of another person ?
  • Are you NOT the qualifying child of another person ?
  • Did you live in the U.S. for more than half of the year ?
  • Is your earned income and adjusted gross income less than $11,060 if you are single, or $12,060 if you are married filing jointly ?