Too often, hardworking families miss the opportunity to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in federal and state tax credits. These tax credits are in place to help families make their hard-earned dollars stretch just a little further.

Current programs you for which you may qualify include:

• the Empire State Child Credit, a refundable tax credit worth up to $330 per child for ages 4-16;

• the Child and Dependent Care Credit, a tax credit based on a sliding income scale for working parents who pay for child care or those who live with a spouse or dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care;

• the federal Child Tax Credit, a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 per child under the age of 17, or the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit; and

• the Real Property Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit worth up to $375 for eligible homeowners and renters.

Additionally, if eligible, you may be able to recoup portions of the income tax that were withheld from your paycheck throughout the year. In fact, through an often overlooked tax break called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), eligible taxpayers can get extra cash back from the IRS or New York State. These savings help many families cover their monthly bills and allow them to put some money away for the future.

To qualify for the New York State and federal EITC, you must:

• have worked full or part time at some point during the calendar year;

• have income below $38,511 ($43,941 if married) with one child;

• have income below $43,756 ($49,186 if married) with two children;

• have income below $46,997 ($52,427 if married) with three or more children; or

• be a worker between the ages of 25 and 65, earning less than $14,590 ($20,020 if married) with no children.

The following is a list of local sites with free income tax assistance:

Walk-in sites, no appointment required

George F. Johnson Library, Endicott; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 AM – 2 PM
Oakdale Mall, Johnson City; Tuesday-Friday 10 AM – 2 PM, Closed Fridays beginning March 14.
Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main St.; Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Your Home Public Library, 107 Main St., Johnson City; Mondays, 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Wednesdays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

Appointment only sites
Broome County Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton; Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM; call 211 or 1-800-901-2180 to schedule an appointment
Binghamton 1st Ward Senior Center, 226 Clinton St.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM; call 797-2307 to schedule an appointment
Broome West Senior Center, 2801 Wayne St., Endwell; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM; call 785-1777 for an appointment
Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM; call 797-3145 to schedule an appointment