About 20 percent of those eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit from the Internal Revenue Service fail to apply for their check, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce.

People must file a 2012 federal income tax return to receive the credit even if they don't owe taxes. The eligibility requirements are:

w With three or more children, an income less than $45,060 or $50,270 if married and filing jointly. Maximum refund is $5,891.

w With two children and an income less than $41,952 or $47,162 if married and filing jointly. Maximum refund is $5,236.

w With one child and an income less than $36,920 or $42,130 if married and filing jointly. Maximum refund is $3,169.

w With no children, and an income less than $13,980 or $19,190 if married and filing jointly. Maximum refund is $475.

For free tax preparation services, call 2-1-1 and ask for "free tax preparation," or go to http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.