Metro Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia on Thursday launched its annual “Claim Your Money PHL” campaign, promoting free tax preparation services and encouraging residents to claim federal and state tax credits they may be owed.

Led by the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO), the campaign focuses on increasing participation in the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), while also educating residents about the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) at the state level.

City officials estimate that more than 40,000 Philadelphians fail to claim the federal EITC each year. The average EITC refund is $2,743 and can reach up to $8,046. Residents who qualify for the federal credit automatically qualify for the new state WPTC, worth 10 percent of their EITC, up to $805.

Eligible parents and guardians can also receive up to $2,200 per child through the federal CTC. Taxpayers who missed credits in prior years can still file or amend returns for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

“Your money. These are the pivotal words of the campaign,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Philadelphians have earned these credits. The money belongs to our residents and should not be left on the table. We want to see these credits working for our residents.”

The campaign emphasizes that residents do not need to pay to claim these credits. CEO and partner organizations offer free, in-person and virtual tax preparation services at more than a dozen locations citywide. Partners include the Department of Commerce, Working Families, Ceiba, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, and Universal Financial Solutions.

CEO Executive Director Orlando Rendon said the effort is designed to remove barriers to filing by providing free, multilingual and culturally responsive services in neighborhoods across the city.

Residents eligible for the EITC, WPTC, or CTC are encouraged to file by the April 15 tax deadline.

To qualify for the federal EITC, individuals must have a valid Social Security number and meet income and age requirements. Those who qualify for the EITC automatically qualify for the WPTC. The CTC is available to parents, guardians, and others who can claim a child as a dependent, including grandparents, adoptive parents, and foster parents.

City officials stressed that EITC and CTC funds do not need to be repaid, have no restrictions on use, and do not affect eligibility for benefits such as SNAP or Medicaid.

More information about eligibility and free tax preparation services is available at ClaimYourMoneyPHL.com.