Page 14 - The Indian EYE 083024

COMMUNITY OP-ED AUGUST 30, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

The EITC: Helping Working

Families Afford to Live in the Greatest

City in the World

It is a simple and straightforward way to make sure working-class New Yorkers, especially parents with

children, get their fair share. I understand the struggle to make it in this city

ERIC ADAMS

orking people and families
make life in our city possi-
Wble. Their work and contri-
butions in every sector — from public
safety to business, hospitality, health
care, and more, enable our city to
function. Here in New York City, we
believe that working people and their
families should get a fair shot at get- The EITC is one of the most effective support programs we have to help low-income families and workers get a boost
ting ahead and reap their fair share of
the many benefits our city has to offer. as they climb the ladder of success (File/Agency photo)
That is why we are building a
city that works for all New Yorkers, their children and now get ahead. of money received for filers increased ple. New Yorkers can file their taxes
a city that expands opportunity and The EITC has been putting mon- by 332 percent. This money helps for free at any one of our NYC Tax
prosperity to every neighborhood ey in Americans’ pockets since 1975. New Yorkers pay their bills, helps Prep locations or online at getyour-
and community. One major way we But, there was more that could be keep a roof over their heads, and refund.org/nyc.
are doing this is by putting more done to boost eligibility and improve helps put groceries on the kitchen ta- I know that New Yorkers work
money in the pockets of New York- access — especially here in New York ble. It is money that working people hard every day, but many people feel
ers through the Earned Income Tax City. That’s why when I ran for may- have worked for, money they have like the deck is stacked against them
Credit (EITC). or, I made a promise to expand the earned, and money that they deserve. and that the American Dream is out
The EITC is one of the most ef- EITC. And, two years ago, I joined What’s more is that our adminis- of reach. But our administration
fective support programs we have to my colleagues in Albany to expand tration is committed to helping New is working hard every day to make
help low-income families and work- the program for the first time in 20 Yorkers learn about their eligibility the American Dream a reality for
ers get a boost as they climb the lad- years because promises made must and receive the resources they need all New Yorkers. Since day one, our
der of success. be promises kept. to actually claim this benefit. Many administration has been driven by a
It is a simple and straightfor- Since then, the EITC has al- New Yorkers were able to receive clear mission: protect public safety,
ward way to make sure working-class ready had a substantial impact on support by applying for the EITC rebuild the economy, and make this
New Yorkers, especially parents with New Yorkers’ lives. As a result of our at our NYC Free Tax Prep locations city more affordable and livable for
children, get their fair share. I under- advocacy and partnership, in tax sea- across the five boroughs. Our tax working-class New Yorkers.
stand the struggle to make it in this son 2023 we put $280 million more preparers will help working-class That is what the EITC is all
city. My mother worked a double back into the pockets of New York- New Yorkers receive the EITC if about, putting more money back
shift as a cleaner to support my sib- ers compared to the previous year. they qualify for it. into the pockets of working people,
lings and me. There are thousands That means 746,000 New Yorkers You can visit nyc.gov/getcredit to so they can continue to afford to live
of New Yorkers doing the same to- in low-income communities have re- see if you qualify for this cash back. If in the greatest city in the world.
day, but thanks to the help of this ceived a total of $345 million to help you do, you can apply for this credit Eric Adams is the Mayor of
tax credit, they’re able to provide for them get by, and the average amount while filing your taxes. It is that sim- New York City, NY

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