Many qualify for a tax refund yet pass it up.

This tax season, millions of low-income working families will pull themselves up over the poverty line by claiming the Earned Income Credit. This is a refundable credit, which can put up to $4,400 into the pocket, or bank account, of a low-income worker with children.

Here’s the rub – and the challenge. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of taxpayers who are eligible to receive this credit leave the money on the table. It adds up to billions of unclaimed dollars.

Why would so many people who so desperately need this extra income pass it up?

We don’t know for sure, but here are some theories about who might be missing out:

• Those who are new to the workforce – young workers and single or recently divorced parents who are entering the workforce for the first time or after a period of working in the home;

• Relative caretakers – aunts, uncles and grandparents – caring for their nieces, nephews and grandchildren;

• Laid-off workers who might be eligible for the first time this year because of their loss of income;

• Documented immigrant workers who lack experience in dealing with our tax system;

• Taxpayers without children, who can still claim a reduced credit – up to $399;

• Taxpayers whose earnings are so low that they are not required to file a tax return but who would benefit from filing in order to claim the EIC

Among those who are already claiming the EIC, most are handing over a significant percentage of their refund and credit to services like “refund anticipation loans,” also called “quick refunds” or “rapid refunds.”

While many of these commercial services may be convenient and look attractive, the rates can be usurious. A typical rate of interest charged to a taxpayer for a rapid refund can be 180 percent or more. Although commercial preparers provide a valuable service to middle- and upper-income taxpayers, the lowest-income workers need every penny they earn, and then some. They can ill-afford the costly promise of an instant payment.

In many communities around Maine, folks are getting this picture. And the infrastructure – at least part of it – is built. But to get the remaining millions into the pockets of low-income workers, we need a grassroots rally. Here are a few ideas to spur the imagination:

• You can help to steer low-income taxpayers to free tax-preparation services, so they won’t end up paying a chunk of their EIC to a commercial preparer and won’t fall victim to the costly “rapid refund” lure. The IRS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and the AARP sponsors similar free tax preparation in many sites around the state. A coalition of free help sites in Southern and Western Maine includes: Greater Portland Tax Assistance Program, 874-1000, ext. 330; Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition, 784-2951, ext.109; Western Maine Tax Assistance Program, 645-3764, ext. 5550 or 1-800-645-9636.

Better yet, if you have some time on your hands, contact the IRS or AARP about starting up a site in your area, or volunteering at an existing site. They will provide the training. For taxpayers who are less intimidated by tax forms and have Internet access, there are free online filing options. For a list of these, go to www.ptla.org/taxpayer/taxtips.htm.

• You can get a free EIC and Child Tax Credit outreach kit. It contains everything you need to know about these credits and more. It includes posters, fliers, envelope stuffers and many other tools you can use to spread the word about the credits and free tax filing options. Center for Budget and Policy Priorities e-mail: [email protected]

• You can ask Pine Tree Legal Assistance to give an EIC workshop for your employees or community group – to learn more about the credits and to develop an EIC outreach game plan.

So here’s a call to employers, town officials, social services workers, community organizers, philanthropic club members, labor advocates, state legislators, the governor and everyone else. If you’re the governor, hold a news conference. If you’re an employer, make sure your employees are informed. If you’re a retiree, volunteer at a free tax preparation center. And we can all educate our neighbors, relatives and co-workers about the EIC and free filing options.

Tax season is the perfect time to spread some goodwill – and presents all around.

Kathleen Caldwell is the statewide community education coordinator for Pine Tree Legal Assistance.