The state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is available to low and moderate-income workers and is equal to 5 percent of the federal EITC. It is designed to encourage and reward work as well as offset the substantial state and local tax contributions of these workers. At a critical time for working families and the state’s recovery, the state EITC should be strengthened.

The Budget and Tax Center has analyzed data from the N.C. Department of Revenue for 2009 to create the maps below demonstrating the wide-ranging and deep benefits of the state Earned Income Tax Credit to the state.

— Alexandra Forter Sirota, Director, NC Budget and Tax Center