MASSENA -- Each year, the IRS joins partners nationwide to launch the EITC Awareness Day and Super Saturday outreach campaign to ensure that millions of low-and moderate-income workers get the earned income tax credit they deserve.

The EITC or earned income tax credit is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate-income working individuals and families.

To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return.

Unfortunately, not every eligible taxpayer takes advantage of this opportunity. The IRS estimates that one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to apply.

To raise awareness and provide the opportunity for low and moderate-income working individuals and families to have their income tax return prepared free of charge, SeaComm, in partnership with the Malone and Potsdam VITA sites, the Canton AARP site, students and faculty from SUNY Canton’s Accounting and Business programs and the IRS, is hosting free tax preparation during several Super Saturday Tax Events.

Free tax preparation will be offered:

• Feb. 1 at SeaComm’s Canton branch from 12:30-4 p.m.

• Feb. 8 at SeaComm’s main office from 8-11:30 a.m.

• Feb. 8 at SeaComm’s Malone branch from 1-5 p.m.

• Feb. 22 at SeaComm’s Ogdensburg branch from 8 a.m.-noon

• Feb. 22 at SeaComm’s Potsdam branch from 1-5 p.m.

• Feb. 29 at SeaComm’s Plattsburgh branch from 1-4 p.m.

IRS trained volunteers will be on hand to prepare returns for eligible workers.

Financial Service Representatives from the credit union will be available to open accounts for individuals without an account and possibly provide loans for those who need their refund in a hurry.

Appointments for Super Saturday are required, as walk-ins will not be allowed.

To make an appointment or for more information, call 1-800-764-0566.

Information is also available on the SeaComm website, www.seacomm.org.