Eligible taxpayers can receive free help preparing their 2011 income tax return — and potentially increase their refunds by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — at sites hosted by MetroCASH and Henrico County.

The EITC is a refundable credit designed to help families and individuals who work and earn modest incomes — generally, families with children earning less than $49,078 and individuals without children earning less than $13,660. The benefit could provide a federal refund of $5,751 for families with three or more children and $464 for individuals.

Trained volunteers will help eligible taxpayers prepare and file returns at 13 sites throughout the metropolitan area, including two in Henrico: Dumbarton Area Library - 6800 Staples Mill Road, Thursdays Feb. 2 to April 12, 4-8 p.m., and Wednesdays Feb. 29 to April 11, 4-8 p.m.; and Fairfield Area Library - 1001 N. Laburnum Ave.; Saturdays Feb. 4 to March 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

MetroCASH works to help qualifying families maximize their tax refunds. The organization also offers eligible taxpayers a free alternative to paid tax-preparation services. Last year, volunteers helped area residents file 2,093 tax returns, generating $932,216 in EITC funds and a total of $2,577,886 in federal returns. The free service saved clients an estimated $418,600 in tax preparation fees.

Additional information is available at http://www.metrocash.org or by calling (804) 225-7915.