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What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

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Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces tax bills for low-to-moderate-income working families. It’s a tax credit that ranges from $560 to $6,935 for the 2022 tax year depending on your filing status, number of children and earned income. Taxpayers often work with a financial advisor to guide them through claiming different types of credits. Let’s take a look at how the EITC works, as well as how you can qualify and file for it.

History of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Tax credits reduce your tax burden dollar for dollar. Typically, these tax breaks are designed to benefit specific groups of taxpayers.

The EITC, was introduced in 1975 to provide temporary tax relief to the working poor who had to pay Social Security taxes amid increases in the cost of energy and food. Three years later, it became a permanent tax break under the Revenue Act of 1978. Over the years, the EITC has been expanded and altered in order to reduce poverty and encourage low-income individuals to find work.

It’s also refundable, so you can increase your refund even if the credit reduces your tax bill to zero. According to a 2020 report from the Congressional Research Service, 17% of all taxpayers (26.5 million) received $64.9 billion in 2018, making it “the largest need-tested antipoverty program that provides cash for benefits.”

The Congressional Research Service says that families with children got 97% of the 2018 EITC money, with a greater share filed in some southern states when compared with other parts of the country. Families with three or more qualifying children will get a maximum credit of $7,430 for the 2023 tax year ($7,830 in 2024).

How the EITC Works

Earned Income Tax Credit

The EITC offers a subsidy to low- and moderate-income Americans and their families. The amount that each worker qualifies for depends on various factors, including their earned income, adjusted gross income, filing status and whether or not they have a qualifying child. Under the EITC program, workers with qualifying children tend to receive bigger tax credits than those without kids.

For tax year 2023, the maximum credit amount for individuals without qualifying children is $600 ($632 in 2024). For working families with at least three qualifying children, the maximum credit amount is $$7,430 for tax year 2023 ($7,830 in 2024).

Qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit

In order to qualify for the EITC, you’ll need to meet certain rules. For one thing, you’ll need to have earned income, or taxable income from working for a company, running a farm or owning a small business. You cannot claim the tax credit if you don’t have a Social Security number or you’re married and you’re filing a separate tax return.

You’re also ineligible for the EITC on your 2023 taxes if you have more than $11,000 in investment income ($11,600 in 2024) and your adjusted gross income exceeds a certain threshold.

For the tax year 2023, you cannot claim the tax credit if you are married filing separately. The table below offers a more complete breakdown of the EITC income limits depending on your filing status and how many qualifying children you’re claiming.

  Earned Income Tax Credit Rules for Tax Year 2024 (Due April 15, 2025)
Number of ChildrenMaximum Earnings for Singles and Heads of HouseholdMaximum Earnings for Joint FilersMaximum EITC
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

For comparison, this table offers a complete breakdown of the EITC income limits based on filing status and the number of qualifying children that you will claim for the tax year 2023:

  Earned Income Tax Credit Rules for Tax Year 2023 (Due April 2024)
Number of ChildrenMaximum Earnings for Singles and Heads of HouseholdMaximum Earnings for Joint FilersMaximum EITC
0$17,640$24,210$600
1$46,560$53,120$3,995
2$52,918$59,478$6,604
3+$56,838$63,398$7,430

While having more children can increase the size of the credit you’re eligible for, your kids will have to meet a series of benchmarks if you want to claim them under the EITC program. Unless your children are completely disabled, they can only be considered qualifying children if they’re under the age of 19 by the end of the tax year or they’re full-time students under the age of 24. Your children must live in your home for more than six months out of the year and must be related to you (i.e. the child is your son, nephew, grandchild or foster child).

Finally, if you have a child who’s married, they can only be a qualified child if they’re not filing a joint tax return (or they are only filing a joint tax return in order to get a tax refund). If you don’t have any qualifying children, you may be eligible for the EITC if you’re between the ages of 25 and 64 and no one else can claim you as a dependent. Special rules apply to disabled individuals, ministers, clergy members and members of the military.

Those who qualify for the EITC may also be able to get additional savings from the Child Tax Credit.

Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit

Earned Income Tax Credit

If a worker wants to take advantage of the EITC, they must file taxes and have earned some income to claim the credit. Keep in mind that workers cannot claim the EITC if they file Form 2555 for foreign-earned income, or Form 2555-EZ for foreign-earned income exclusions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents, and have a valid Social Security number issued on or before their tax return due date.

To estimate the amount of your credit, you can use the worksheets included with the instructions for Forms 1040. If you need assistance, you can use the EITC assistant provided by the IRS.

Bottom Line

The Earned Income Tax Credit offers working individuals and families an incentive if their income falls below the thresholds set by the IRS. Before claiming the credit, it’s important to ensure that you meet all of the qualifications and double-check that the information you’re providing on your tax return is accurate. To help you claim all of the credits and deductions that you qualify for, it’s a good idea to choose a good tax filing service. A good service will walk you through the filing process and get you the maximum refund available to you.

Tips on Lowering Your Tax Liability 

  • There are plenty of tax credits and deductions you may not even be aware of. A financial advisor can help you find them to minimize your tax burden each year. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • You can also make filing taxes easier by using one of the many software options out there. To help you find the right one, we published a report on the best tax software available.
  • If you want to figure out how much you will likely pay in income taxes, SmartAsset’s free income tax calculator can help you plan ahead.

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