Do You Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?

The earned income tax credit (EITC or EIC) has been available since 1975, but it has recently become more attractive to help people deal with the economic effects of the coronavirus. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has expanded the number of people eligible for the EITC and tripled the maximum tax credit.

Here's how the EITC works and how to determine eligibility so you can keep more of your tax dollars and possibly get a tax refund.

The EITC gives low- to moderate-income workers a refundable tax credit on their federal tax return. A tax credit means you get your tax liability reduced directly by the amount of the EITC. If you don't owe any taxes, the IRS will send you a check or make a direct deposit into your bank account. You may be able to get cash from the IRS even if you haven't had any taxes withheld from your earned income.

​Consider also:​ Tax Credits: What Are They & How Do You Qualify?

These are the qualifications for the EITC:

• Must have earned income
• Investment income cannot be more than ​$10,000​
• Must have a valid Social Security number
• Must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year
• Can't claim foreign earned income exclusion on Form 2555
• Can't be the dependent or qualifying child of another taxpayer

The following types of income qualify as earned income:

• Wages and salaries where federal income tax is deducted on Form W-2
• Income from gig type jobs – such as providing professional services, freelance work, running errands or selling goods online – where the employer doesn't withhold taxes
• Earnings from self-employment
• Union strike benefits
• Certain disability benefits
• Nontaxable combat pay

These incomes do not qualify as earned income:

• Social Security
• Interest and dividends
• Pensions or annuities
• Unemployment benefits
• Alimony
• Child support

Your earned income and adjusted gross income must be below the maximum limits. If your filing status is single, head of household or qualifying widower, your maximum income for tax year 2021 cannot exceed:

• ​$51,464​ with three or more qualifying children
• ​$47,915​ with two children
• ​$42,158​ with one child
• ​$21,430​ if you're not claiming any children

If you're married and filing a joint return, your maximum allowable income is:

• ​$57,414​ with three or more qualifying children
• ​$53,865​ with two children
• ​$48,108​ with one child
• ​$27,380​ if you're not claiming any children

Even if you don't have a qualifying child, you may still be eligible for the EITC if you meet the income requirements.

A qualifying child must meet these requirements:

A qualifying child can be a son, daughter, an adopted child, a stepchild, a foster child or grandchild. In addition, a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister and a stepbrother or stepsister will also qualify

The child must be less than 19 years of age at the end of the year and younger than you and your spouse when filing a joint return. However, the age limit increases to 23 if the child was a full-time student.

For the tax year 2021, the EITC for individuals with no children maxes out at ​$1,502​ and reaches a maximum of ​$6,728​ for filers with three or more children. The amount depends on your filing status, income and number of qualifying children. Even taxpayers without children can qualify for the EITC.

It's not easy to calculate the amount of your EIC. The simplest way is to use an online calculator.

Even if you don't have a qualifying child, you may still be eligible for the EITC if you meet the income requirements. To qualify, you must meet these three conditions:

• You must have lived in the U.S. for six months or more
• No one else is claiming you as a dependent or qualifying child on their tax return.
• You must be at least age 19, unless you were a student for more than five months of the year, in which case, you must be at least age 24.

​Consider also​: Don't Overlook The Earned Income Tax Credit

You must file a tax return, even if you're not required to file and don't owe any taxes. If you're filing for the EITC with a qualifying child, you'll need to complete Schedule EIC and include it with Form 1040.

Your filing status can be:

• Single
• Head of household
• Married filing jointly
• Qualifying widow or widower

Generally, if you're married, you must file jointly to qualify for the EITC. However, there is an exception. You can be eligible for the EITC if you had a qualifying child who lived with you for more than six months of 2021, and you either lived separately from your spouse for the last six months of 2021, or you have a legal separation agreement and didn't live with your spouse at the end of the year.

The federal EITC is not the only tax credit available. Check this site for state and local governments with EITCs to see if your state also offers a tax credit.