10

Serving Immigrants

Immigrants who are working in the US but do not have a social security number face unique challenges in filing their taxes. The EITC Campaign is working to meet the needs of these taxpayers and assist them in accessing tax credits and other benefits to which they were entitled.

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that always begins with the number 9. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number in order to file a tax return and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have U.S. tax return and payment responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.

By obtaining an ITIN, a taxpayer can receive refunds from withholdings and the child tax credit. Filing taxes brings a taxpayer into compliance with tax law and may help them if/when they apply to become citizens. Taxpayers with an ITIN are not eligible for electronic filing or the Earned Income Tax Credit. However, if a tax payer obtains a social security number in the future, they can amend their return for up to three years and claim the EITC if they are eligible—this can result in a substantial refund.

15% of our customers had an Adjusted Gross Income below $35,450

Beacon Hill El Centro de la Raza

El Centro de la Raza hosted a tax site in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. El Centro has a high level of trust within the Spanish speaking and Immigrant communities. Many families came across county lines to file their taxes at this site.

In 2006 we will work closely with El Centro de la Raza to strengthen the services offered to immigrants and increase access to El Centro’s other services.

  • Returns Prepared
220
  • Total Federal Refunds
$295,123
  • Average Refund
$1,341
  • Total EITC
$87,641
  • Average EITC
$1,538
  • # EITC Claimants
57
  • % EITC Claimants
26%
  • Total Child Tax Credit
$109,751
  • Average AGI
$18,988
"A woman client was very discouraged by her condition, which was under poverty level according to her W-2 form. I encouraged her that she should keep trying to find a job and don't let herself down by the adverse conditions she have faced. I shared my medical condition and education goals with her. I told her that never, never give up. By the time her tax was filed, we prayed together. She seemed very encouraged and was looking forward to finding a job."
~EITC VOLUNTEER

DOWNLOAD EITC Report 2005(PDF*)

PDF To view PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.  You can download Acrobat Reader, free of charge, at Adobe's Web site.