Entergy Customers May Qualify for Federal Tax Credit, Free Tax Help

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Feb 01, 2011, 01:00 ET

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation is trying to make life a little easier for customers by alerting them about a program that puts cash in their pockets and millions of dollars into the economy.

The company, in partnership with groups such as United Way, community action agencies and colleges and universities, is supporting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance centers to provide free tax preparation help and to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit to potentially eligible residential customers. Customers who earn about $49,000 or less may qualify for free tax preparation assistance and tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service. To find the assistance site nearest you, call 800-906-9887 or go to www.irs.gov.

"The EITC can provide a significant financial boost for working people hit by tough economic times. This is money that can make their lives a little easier, especially families with three or more children who get an extra boost with a larger credit this year," said Linda Barnes, manager of low income initiatives at Entergy.

"Our work to help spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit and the free tax preparation sites is another way Entergy tries to help our low-income customers," Barnes said. "The EITC helps reduce poverty. Studies estimate it has lifted 6.6 million people out of poverty, including 3.3 million children, making it one of the most effective anti-poverty programs operating."

The IRS estimates as many as 20 to 25 percent of eligible people are not aware of the program.

Entergy's efforts complement the IRS campaign to educate taxpayers about the EITC and requirements to claim the credit. Along with supporting the VITA centers, the company is mailing bill inserts about EITC to customers who receive paper bills, placing outbound calls to select customers and including messages about the credit on bills. The EITC is a federal income tax credit for low-income workers who are eligible for and claim the credit. Taxpayers who qualify for and claim the credit can reduce the amount of tax they owe, pay no tax or get a refund. For a complete list of EITC requirements, interested applicants should review publication 596, which is available by calling the IRS at 1-800-TAX FORM (1-800-829-3676) or by visiting the IRS website at irs-eitc.info/.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and approximately 15,000 employees.

Entergy's online address is entergy.com

SOURCE Entergy Corporation