The proportion of people filing taxes who receive the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The tax credit helps low-income individuals and families by reducing the taxes they pay or in some cases providing refunds. When the credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, qualified filers receive a federal refund, bringing Federal resources to the community. Not everyone who qualities for the credit claims it.
In 2020, 11% of Essex County residents who filed taxes received the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The rate has increased from 14% in 2011 and is slightly higher than the state rate of 10% but below the national rate of 16%.
Essex County and Lake, IL had the highest rates of residents who received the credit both at 11%. Westchester, NY has a rate of 10% and Middlesex, MA had a rate of 7% in 2020. The rates for each comparison county have changed little since 2011.
People must claim the credit to receive it; therefore, these numbers do not reflect the number of people eligible for the credit. The IRS and other experts estimate that 80-85% of those who are eligible for the credit claim it. Data for Essex County, MA, Middlesex, MA and Lake, IL was not available prior to 2011.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | 14% | 14% | 15% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 11% |
| Middlesex County, MA | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 7% |
| Lake County, IL | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 11% |
| Westchester County, NY | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| Massachusetts | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | 53,255 | 54,210 | 56,030 | 56,180 | 55,650 | 54,290 | 53,500 | 52,750 | 51,430 | 48,350 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 68,314 | 68,790 | 70,820 | 70,350 | 68,640 | 65,580 | 63,350 | 61,510 | 59,330 | 56,340 |
| Lake County, IL | 41,728 | 41,390 | 42,190 | 41,860 | 41,650 | 40,550 | 39,580 | 38,110 | 38,290 | 37,910 |
| Westchester County, NY | 55,540 | 56,350 | 60,200 | 59,180 | 58,360 | 56,590 | 55,790 | 54,060 | 53,520 | 51,110 |
| Massachusetts | 408,723 | 413,040 | 426,890 | 427,300 | 421,540 | 408,450 | 400,470 | 392,430 | 380,680 | 356,180 |
| INDICATORS | TREND | ESSEX COUNTY |
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