AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci will be the special guest of several Earned Income Tax Credit statewide CA$H coalitions on Thursday, Jan. 31, EITC Awareness Day, in the Hall of Flags. Baldacci will join EITC advocates, including members of the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition, at 1 p.m. to spread the word of a tax credit available for eligible low-to-moderate income workers.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is the federal government’s largest program benefiting working families, and EITC Awareness Day marks a nationwide effort to increase public awareness about the tax credit and free tax preparation sites.

IRS-certified volunteers host numerous sites throughout Maine, including the Multi-Purpose Center in Lewiston and Auburn City Hall. Seven other Maine coalition free tax-preparation sites can be tapped into by calling 211. The sites and asset-building information/opportunities promote financial stability and are touted as a “step toward prosperity.”

Joining Baldacci at the podium will be Tess Armstrong, IRS stakeholder relationship tax consultant; city of Lewiston’s Dottie Perham-Whittier, co-chairwoman of the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition; Mark Millar, division director of Casey Family Services; and tentatively a representative from Sen. Olympia J. Snowe’s Office. Coalition representatives will be available at the Hall of Flags from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Coalition Co-Chairman Androscoggin County Head Start Training Coordinator Chris Adler said, “Maine’s CA$H coalitions are all about putting money back into the pockets of hardworking residents and into the economy of local communities, especially at a time when, seasonably, household budgets are already stretched. CA$H represents ‘Creating Assets, Savings and Hope.’ “

EITC helps offset Social Security taxes and provides an incentive for work. For 2006 federal income tax returns, more than 22.4 million taxpayers received more than $43.7 billion in EITC. However, in spite of extensive awareness campaigns by the IRS and active coalitions, it is estimated that 20 percent more taxpayers may be eligible but may not be aware of the tax credit’s existence.

The new EITC maximum credit for eligible 2007 income is $4,716 for a family with two or more children; $2,853 for a family with one child; and $428 if there are no children. If there are no children, investment income must be $2,900 or less. Children must meet certain age, relationship and residency requirements.

For additional information, interested parties may contact 211 for a list of statewide coalitions offering free tax preparation sites or visit the LA Coalition’s Web site at http://www.ci.lewiston.me.us/news/eitc/eitc.htm.