WHEREAS,  in order to promote the federal earned income tax credit, which enhances family household budgets, we recognize January 25, 2013 as EITC Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS,  it is estimated that every year 20 percent of Maine residents do not apply for the federal earned income tax credit, which demonstrates the importance of raising awareness of this credit and urging individuals to find out if they qualify for it; and

WHEREAS,  throughout the State, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who are members of CA$H Maine and AARP Tax-Aide, a collaboration of 11 statewide coalitions including 50 nonprofit and for-profit partners, provide free federal and state tax preparation; and

WHEREAS,  in 2012, these volunteers helped Maine residents save more than $1,700,000 in filing fees and claim $5,670,000 in earned income tax credits, returning $20,000,000 to Maine residents in federal income tax refunds; now, therefore, be it