Only about 80 percent of taxpayers eligible for the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit receive it, according to the IRS.

"This credit is too valuable to overlook," said an IRS spokesman. "If you think you might be able to claim the EITC, check it out. The EITC could significantly increase your refund."

The credit is a refundable federal tax credit for lower-income individuals and families.

For example, In the state of Illinois, last year almost 828,000 Illinoisans claimed the credit and received more than $1.5 billion in refunds.

In St. Clair County, more than 22,500 tax returns claimed the credit for almost $44 million last year. In Madison County, almost $30 million in refunds went to more than 17,000 people who claimed the credits.

The qualify for the 2005 credit, taxpayers with more than two qualifying children must earn less than $35,263, less than $31,030 with one qualifying child or less than $11,750 with no children. Income limits are $2,000 higher for taxpayers whose filing status is married, filing jointly.

According to the IRS, the maximum possible credit is $4,400 for a family with two or more children; $2,662 for a family with one qualifying child or $399 for taxpayers at least 25 years old but less than 65 years old who have no
children.