Louisiana earned income tax credit could be worth hundreds of dollars to working families

The Louisiana Department of Revenue reminds Louisiana families preparing their 2011 state individual income tax returns about a refundable tax credit for working people with low to moderate incomes.  More than a half-million Louisiana families claimed the Louisiana Earned Income Tax Credit in 2011 for an average benefit of $91.

The Louisiana Earned Income Tax Credit is equal to 3.5 percent of the federal EITC. For the 2011 tax year, the federal EITC is worth a maximum of $5,751, depending on such factors as filing status, income level and number of children claimed as dependents. According to the IRS, the income thresholds for the federal EITC are:

$13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child

$36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child

$40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children

$43,998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children

The maximum amounts of the federal EITC are as follows:

$5,751 with three or more qualifying children

$5,112 with two qualifying children

$3,094 with one qualifying child

$464 with no qualifying children

To calculate the amount of the Louisiana earned income credit, multiply the federal EITC amount by .035 (3.5 percent). Some examples:

If your federal EITC is $5,751, you would be entitled to claim a Louisiana earned income credit of $201.

If your federal EITC is $5,112, you would be entitled to claim a Louisiana earned income credit of $179.

If your federal EITC is $3,094, you would be entitled to claim a Louisiana earned income credit of $108.

If your federal EITC is $464, you would be entitled to claim a Louisiana earned income credit of $16.

Eligible Louisiana residents can claim the state earned income credit on line 21 of the Louisiana Resident Individual Income Tax Return in the section titled “Refundable Tax Credits.”