Op-Ed | The EITC: Helping working families afford to live in the greatest city in the world

Working people and families make life in our city possible. Their work and contributions in every sector — from public safety to business, hospitality, health care, and more, enable our city to function. Here in New York City, we believe that working people and their families should get a fair shot at getting ahead and reap their fair share of the many benefits our city has to offer.

That is why we are building a city that works for all New Yorkers, a city that expands opportunity and prosperity to every neighborhood and community. One major way we are doing this is by putting more money in the pockets of New Yorkers through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The EITC is one of the most effective support programs we have to help low-income families and workers get a boost as they climb the ladder of success.

It is a simple and straightforward way to make sure working-class New Yorkers, especially parents with children, get their fair share. I understand the struggle to make it in this city. My mother worked a double shift as a cleaner to support my siblings and me. There are thousands of New Yorkers doing the same today, but thanks to the help of this tax credit, they’re able to provide for their children and now get ahead.

The EITC has been putting money in Americans’ pockets since 1975. But, there was more that could be done to boost eligibility and improve access — especially here in New York City. That’s why when I ran for mayor, I made a promise to expand the EITC. And, two years ago, I joined my colleagues in Albany to expand the program for the first time in 20 years because promises made must be promises kept. 

Since then, the EITC has already had a substantial impact on New Yorkers’ lives. As a result of our advocacy and partnership, in tax season 2023 we put $280 million more back into the pockets of New Yorkers compared to the previous year. That means 746,000 New Yorkers in low-income communities have received a total of $345 million to help them get by, and the average amount of money received for filers increased by 332 percent. This money helps New Yorkers pay their bills, helps keep a roof over their heads, and helps put groceries on the kitchen table. It is money that working people have worked for, money they have earned, and money that they deserve.

What’s more is that our administration is committed to helping New Yorkers learn about their eligibility and receive the resources they need to actually claim this benefit. Many New Yorkers were able to receive support by applying for the EITC at our NYC Free Tax Prep locations across the five boroughs. Our tax preparers will help working-class New Yorkers receive the EITC if they qualify for it.

You can visit nyc.gov/getcredit to see if you qualify for this cash back. If you do, you can apply for this credit while filing your taxes. It is that simple. New Yorkers can file their taxes for free at any one of our NYC Tax Prep locations or online at getyourrefund.org/nyc.

I know that New Yorkers work hard every day, but many people feel like the deck is stacked against them and that the American Dream is out of reach. But our administration is working hard every day to make the American Dream a reality for all New Yorkers. Since day one, our administration has been driven by a clear mission: protect public safety, rebuild the economy, and make this city more affordable and livable for working-class New Yorkers.

That is what the EITC is all about, putting more money back into the pockets of working people, so they can continue to afford to live in the greatest city in the world.