With the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), eligible people either lower their tax bill or get money back. This money comes in the form of a tax refund. That means you only get it if you file your taxes.
To qualify for the EITC, you must meet certain requirements. These are some—but not all—of those requirements:
- You must be a U.S. citizen, or a resident alien for the full tax year.
- You must have a valid social security number.
- If you don’t have kids, you must be between 25 and 64 years old.
This chart shows the maximum Earned Income Tax Credit you may be eligible for, depending on additional details:
| How many children? | You are single, income less than… | You are married, income less than… | Maximum tax credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $18,591 | $25,511 | $632 |
| 1 | $49,084 | $56,004 | $4,213 |
| 2 | $55,768 | $62,688 | $6,960 |
| 3+ | $59,899 | $66,819 | $7,830 |
Pro tip: if you qualify for the EITC, you may also qualify for these and other credits:
- Child Tax Credit and the Credit for Other Dependents
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Education Credits
Not sure what you qualify for? Ask the IRS, talk with a volunteer, or try the automated EITC Assistant.
