Low-income workers in San Diego County get $314.8 million annually in refunds through the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, according to a report released today.
According to the report by the National University System Institute for Policy Research, 13 percent of San Diego County tax filers take advantage of the tax credit, receiving an average refund of $1,778.
"For years, the EITC has been a critical tool in providing economic relief to low-income workers in San Diego County,'' said Vince Vasquez, a senior policy analyst with NUSIPR.
"With our regional economic recovery languishing, it's urgent that local elected officials redouble their efforts to close the EITC collection gap.''
About one in four EITC-eligible taxpayers failed to claim the credit, resulting in $78.7 million in missed refunds, according to the NUSIPR report.
