TY - JOUR AU - Varcoe, Karen P. AU - Lees, Nancy B. AU - López, Martha L. TI - Rural Latino families in California are missing earned income tax benefits JF - California Agriculture JO - Calif Agr Y1 - 2004/01/01 VL - 58 IS - 1 SP - 24 EP - 27 PB - University of California Agriculture and Nature Resources SN - 0008-0845 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3733/ca.v058n01p24 L3 - 10.3733/ca.v058n01p24 AB - When properly accessed, the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can boost a family's yearly income by more than $4,000. A study in Kern and Madera counties indicated that many, perhaps most, qualified low-income Latino families living in rural California communities may not be receiving the EITC. About 80% to 86% of eligible households nationwide receive the EITC, compared with about 36% of eligible California families in the study. The primary reason appears to be lack of accurate information and limited access to tax-preparation assistance. UC Cooperative Extension advisors and staff are well situated to provide information about the EITC.