Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched a public awareness campaign on Wednesday to inform low-income taxpayers about the Earned Income Tax Credit.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC or EIC, is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income,” according to the Internal Revenue Service website.

To qualify, you must file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax.

This year, a family of three or more making roughly $56,000 can claim an Earned Income Tax Credit as high as $6,557 if they file jointly as a married couple.

But the credit is notorious for being unclaimed. Bottoms said she planned on sponsoring television, radio and newspaper advertisements to inform city residents about the credit.

“Obviously we want our residents to have more money in their pockets,” Bottoms said. “But also very selfishly, when people have more money in their pockets quite often they spend more money.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

Credit: AP