SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
(By Senators Wells and Foster)
Designating Friday, February 13, 2009, as "Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC) Awareness Day".
Whereas, It is estimated that close to 25 percent of eligible
tax payers fail to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit; and
Whereas, Of those who do claim EITC, over 70 percent file
their tax returns through a paid tax preparer and pay fees up to
more than $2 billion annually; and
Whereas, In 2007, through the use of Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) free preparation sites, West Virginia families
received over $6.6 million in EITC refunds and more than $24
million in total refunds; and
Whereas, In West Virginia, nearly 30,000 free returns were
completed at VITA sites in 2007, an increase of nearly 30 percent
over 2006; and
Whereas, In 2008, more than 400 volunteers will run 87 VITA
sites at locations across the state; and
Whereas, West Virginia is the only state to provide statewide
coverage and involvement in every county; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates Friday, February 13, 2009,
as "Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to representatives of Earned Income Tax
Credit (EITC) Awareness Day.