The Earned Income Tax Credit Gives Workers a Boost

Posted by: Zaher Fallahi

Posted On: Feb 06, 2014

For nearly 40 years, the Earned Income Tax Credit has been helping low- to moderate-income workers by giving them a boost to their income. Four out of five eligible workers claim EITC, but the IRS wants every eligible worker to claim and get this credit.

Here are some things the IRS wants you to know about this important credit:

Review your eligibility. If you worked and earned under $51,567, you may be eligible for EITC. If your financial or family situation has changed, you should review the EITC eligibility rules. You might qualify for EITC this year even if you didn’t in the past. Workers who qualify for EITC must file a federal income tax return and specifically claim the credit to get it, even if they do not have a requirement to file a return.

Know the rules. Before claiming EITC, you need to understand the rules to be sure you qualify. It’s important to get it and get it right. There are several factors to consider:

Your filing status can’t be Married Filing Separately.

You must have a valid Social Security number for yourself, your spouse if married, and any qualifying child listed on your tax return.

You must have earned income. Earned income includes earnings such as wages, self-employment and farm income.

You may be married or single, with or without children to qualify. If you don’t have children, you must also meet age, residency and dependency rules.

If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone, special rules apply.

Lower your tax or get a refund. The EITC reduces your federal tax and could result in a refund. If you qualify, the credit could be worth up to $6,044. The average credit was $2,355 last year.

Use free services. Don’t guess about your EITC eligibility. Use the EITC Assistant tool . on IRS.gov. The tool helps you find out if you qualify and will estimate the amount of your EITC. The best way to file your return to claim EITC is to use IRS Free File. Free brand-name software will figure your taxes and EITC for you. Combining e-file with direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to get your refund. Free File is available exclusively on IRS.gov/freefile. Free help preparing and e-filing your return to claim your EITC is also available at thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites around the country.
If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone, special rules apply. For more information, see IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. It’s available in English and Spanish on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Additional IRS Resources: Schedule EIC

For assistance with any tax matters, including the IRS representation and disclosing your unreported foreign bank accounts, you may contact Zaher Fallahi, Tax Attorney, CPA, at (310) 719-1040 (Los Angeles) or (714) 546-4272 (Orange County), or e-mail to taxattorney@zfcpa.com.

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Amir Baradaran Rafii

3 months ago

Mr. Fallahi is a great tax attorney who provided excellent service and professional guidance throughout the entire process. He is extremely knowledgeable, always made himself available, answered all of my questions, and communicated clearly every step of the way. I truly appreciated his responsiveness, attention to detail, and the confidence he brought throughout the process. I highly recommend his services.

Response from the owner:Dear Ami, Thank you very much for your thoughtful and kind words. It was truly my pleasure to assist you. I sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence you placed in me throughout the process. I strive to provide responsive communication, careful attention to detail, and practical guidance so clients can make informed decisions during what is often a stressful and complex tax matter. I am grateful that you found our work together helpful. Thank you again for your recommendation and for the opportunity to be of service. I wish you continued success and all the very best moving forward. Respectfully, Zaher Fallahi, Attorney at Law, CPA & Team

susan nezami

1 year ago

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1 year ago

I hired Dr. Zaher Fallahi to assist a client of mine with a complex tax matter. I couldn't be more impressed with his work. He demonstrated deep expertise in tax law, communicated clearly and promptly. He handled the issue with exceptional professionalism. His strategic approach led to a successful resolution that exceeded expectations. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and reliable tax attorney John Alagha

Response from the owner:Dear Mr. Alagha, Thank you sincerely for your generous recommendation and kind words. I truly appreciate the confidence you placed in me to assist your client with such a complex matter. It was a pleasure collaborating with you—an esteemed tax professional in your own right—and I’m pleased we achieved a successful outcome. Your professionalism and cooperative spirit were key to ensuring a smooth and efficient process. I look forward to the opportunity to work together again in the future. Warm regards, Zaher Fallahi, Attorney at Law, CPA & Team

Harry Allen

1 year ago

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Response from the owner:Dear Harry and the family, Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback. It was truly a pleasure assisting your family with this important real estate matter. I understand how sensitive these situations can be, especially when they involve our elderly loved ones, and I’m glad I could help bring clarity and resolution. Your valuable cooperation is also appreciated. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance in the future, and I greatly appreciate your recommendation to others. Wishing you and your family all the best. Kind regards, Zaher Fallahi, Esq., CPA

Parveez Oliaii

1 year ago

I have nothing but the highest praise for the professionalism of Dr.Fallahi and his staff.

Response from the owner:Dear Doctor Oliaii: Thank you sincerely for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. Coming from a respected member of the medical community like yourself, your praise means a great deal to me and my team. We are grateful for the opportunity to assist you since 2011 and will always strive to uphold the highest standards of service. Respectfully, Zaher Fallahi, Attorney At Law, CPA, and Team.

BABAK KHATIBLOO

1 year ago

Zahaer Fallahi is a very knowledgeable and honest tax lawyer. I have sat in numerical presentations on various aspects of tax laws. Also, on few occasions, Zaher provided me with legal counsel. Typically, tax lawyers will end their recommendations with: Check with your CPA. The good thing about Zaher is both a layer and CPA. So, you will get complete advice.

Response from the owner:Dear Babak: Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review! I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to assist you with your tax and legal matters. It's always my goal to provide clear, comprehensive guidance, and I'm glad to hear that you found the dual perspective as both a lawyer and CPA helpful. Your trust means a lot, and I look forward to continuing to support you whenever you need. Warm regards, Zaher Fallahi, Attorney At Law, CPA and Team

Bijan Sadri

1 year ago

I've had the pleasure of working with Mr. Zaher Fallahi and his CPA and Law firm since 2015, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the exceptional services provided. As a medical doctor, I particularly appreciate Zaher and his team's consistently professional, precise, and highly knowledgeable assistance on complex matters, including international taxation, FBAR filings, Foreign Gift reporting, and managing filings for both individual and small corporate entities. What sets Zaher apart is his deep understanding of tax law and his proactive, detail-oriented approach. He has successfully handled intricate tax scenarios with impressive competence, ensuring compliance while optimizing financial outcomes. His responsiveness, clear communication, and dedication to client needs have always provided reassurance during potentially stressful financial periods. I highly recommend Zaher Fallahi’s services for anyone requiring expert advice and reliable management of tax-related issues, both domestic and international. His integrity and commitment to excellence have made working with him an absolute pleasure.

Response from the owner:Dear Dr. Sadri: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with respect to taxation of individual and corporations, FBARs, foreign gifts and other international tax matters. We're pleased to have provided you with exceptional support over the years, and we appreciate your trust in our team. We're honored to have clients like you who value precision, professionalism, and proactive solutions. We'll continue striving to deliver top-notch services for you years to come. Thanks again for the recommendation! Respectfully, Zaher Fallahi, Attorney At Law, CPA and Team.

Infinity Air

1 year ago

A great lawyer with a great experience. Thank you Zaher!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an honor meeting you yesterday, and I’m really glad I could assist. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or need support down the line. Wishing you all the best! Warm regards, Zaher

Ali G.

1 year ago

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Response from the owner:Dear Captain Ali: Thank you so much for your thoughtful and generous review. It was truly a pleasure assisting you with your legal and tax matters involving sale of your international property and compliance with the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Regulations and U.S. International Tax Laws. I’m glad to hear that our guidance helped bring you peace of mind throughout what can indeed be a complex process. Your kind words about my approach and professionalism mean a great deal to me. I’m always committed to providing tailored, clear, and practical legal advice, and I’m grateful for the trust you placed in Zaher Fallahi, Attorney At Law, CPA. Wishing you continued success and all the best in your future endeavors and flights, Captain. Warm regards, Zaher Falahi, Attorney At Law, CPA, and Team

Shahid Alam

1 year ago

I had an excellent experience working with Dr. Zaher Fallahi to recover four years of tax withholdings. His deep knowledge of tax law and clear communication made the process smooth and stress-free. Not only did he help retrieve the withheld amounts, but the IRS also paid additional interest thanks to his thorough handling of the case. I highly recommend his services for anyone dealing with complex tax matters.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your generous words, Mr. Alam. It was truly a privilege to be of service to you. I thoroughly enjoyed working with your esteemed team and felt like an honorary member throughout the process. Your collective determination played a key role in persuading the IRS to resolve the matter in your favor. My warmest regards to you, your team, and the honorable Chairman of the Board. Sincerely, Zaher Fallahi, Tax Attorney, CPA

Georgina Huicochea

1 year ago

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Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Georgina. It was truly an honor to serve your remarkable team. Your cooperation, along with George’s unwavering support, played a crucial role in the successful resolution of your IRS case. Wishing continued success to all of you. Warm regards, Zaher Fallahi, Tax Attorney, CPA

Graham Mitchell

1 year ago

I've been using Zaher and Jon for 14 years and they have been great every time. Filing every year has been a breeze, and they have always answered questions promptly if I have any. Zaher has assisted me with his legal services as well, and I have been very happy. They do a great job!

Response from the owner:Wow—has it really been 14 years? It’s truly been an honor to serve you over the years. My associates and I deeply appreciate your continued trust in us, both for tax and legal matters. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. Warm regards, Zaher Fallahi, Tax Attorney, CPA

The Earned Income Tax Credit Gives Workers a Boost

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What our clients say about us