The Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) is a credit for low to moderate-income taxpayers to get ahead and have more money in their pockets.
It can boost refunds significantly if you can meet the eligibility guidelines to claim it.
For example, if you are employed but your income is considered “low” by the IRS, you may be able to claim the earned income tax credit, which currently has a maximum credit amount of $6,728.
Below you will find the EIC table chart and some of the most common questions taxpayers have about the Earned Income Credit.
Table of Contents
How Much are the EIC Table Amounts?
| Number of Dependents | Maximum Credit | Maximum Adjusted Gross Income you can earn. |
| 0 | $1,502 | Single $21,430 Jointly $27,380 |
| 1 | $3,618 | Single $42,158 Jointly $48,108 |
| 2 | $5,980 | Single $47,915 Jointly $53,865 |
| 3+ | $6,728 | Single $51,464 Jointly $57,414 |
Who Qualifies for the EIC?
To qualify for the EIC, you must meet the income requirements listed in the table/chart above. If another person claims you as a qualifying child, you will not be able to claim the credit.
You also cannot file Form 2555 or any variation, and you are not allowed to have more than $10,000 in interest, dividends, or other investment income.
How Much Can You Make and Get EIC?
This credit is intended for low-income families, so if you earn “too much,” you may be ineligible. How much money can you make and still qualify?
It is determined by the number of qualified children you have (see table above). Those with the lowest incomes are eligible for the most credits.
Video – Who Qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
Does My Income Have to be Low to Qualify?
If you do not have qualifying children, you must have a low income to claim this tax credit. For 2021, you have to have earned less than $21,430 to qualify if you have no children. ($27,380 for joint filing)
However, if you only have one qualifying child, the income limit is $42,158 for singles and $57,414 for joint filing.
Do I Qualify Even if I Didn’t Have Tax Withheld From My Paycheck, and I am not Required to File Taxes?
Yes, you can qualify for the EITC and get a refund. This is a refundable credit. However, to receive it, you have to file even if you are not required to file.
How Does a Child Qualify for the EIC?
- Age or disability – The child has to be under 19 or younger than 24 if they are a full-time student for at least 5 months. The child must be younger than you. If they are permanently and totally disabled, they can be any age.
- Relationship – The child has to be your son, daughter, stepchild, sibling, stepsibling, foster or adopted child, or a descendant of any of these.
- The child must have resided with you in the US for more than six months.
- Your child cannot be required to file a joint return.
What is the Earned Income Credit Worksheet?
The Earned Income Credit worksheet will help you determine whether you’re eligible to claim this tax credit and how much of it you can claim.
As part of your taxes, you’ll be required to fill out Schedule EIC. The worksheet will help you to do that.
This is a much better alternative to hiring an accountant to do it for you. The IRS provides full guidelines on the information they need and how you can calculate whether you’re entitled to the credit.
Keep in mind that the purpose of the Earned Income Credit is to support working and lower-middle-class families.
In addition, it’s a refundable tax credit, so even if you don’t expect to owe anything to the Federal government in taxes this year, you can still get a refund from the Federal government.
After using the Earned Income Credit Worksheet, you should consider online tax preparation to quickly and easily file your taxes.
If you’re like most people, you probably dread the thought of filing your taxes. However, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task if you know how to get your W2 online and start the process early.
The good news is that obtaining your W2 form online has never been easier! Gone are the days when you had to wait for your employer to send it to you in the mail or pick it up at their office.
How Do I Calculate My EIC ?
The EIC tax credit calculator will give you an accurate view of how much you could be entitled to.
Just answer some simple questions regarding your income and your living circumstances, and you’ll get a readout on how much earned income credit you may be able to get.
Take note that you may find that you may not be entitled to this tax credit at all. However, the income limits are quite high, so the chances are you will be able to claim at least part of the credit.
The maximum amount you can claim is $6,728 for the current tax year. However, the IRS states that the average amount credited is about one-third of this.
Find out how much you qualify for with our calculator today!
Will Military Combat Pay Affect My Credit?
You do not have to disclose this information if you have received military combat pay. Usually, this income does not affect your taxable income.
However, it depends on your total earned income and family size, whether or not you will receive this credit, and the amount.
Sometimes it could be beneficial to include combat pay as taxable income so you could receive the EITC. Lastly, if you decide to include your combat pay, remember that it is “all or nothing.”
Can the Credit Be Added to My Paycheck During the Year?
The IRS used to allow the Advance Earned Income Credit throughout the year. However, this ended in 2010.
Can I Claim This Credit if My Child’s Other Parent Claims Him as a Dependent?
Usually, if your child lived with you for the majority of the year, you would be able to claim this credit without having to claim the dependency exemption.
It is important to remember that the number of children claimed as dependents are not always the same number that qualifies you for this valuable credit.
If the time evens out amongst parents, the parent with the highest AGI takes the credit. Therefore, only one person can claim the child, and noncustodial parents cannot claim children for the EITC.
Can I Go Back and Claim the EIC if I Qualified But Didn’t Do it in Past Years?
You can file an amended return to receive the EITC that you qualified but didn’t claim for past years.
If you did not get the credit because you didn’t file or were unsure if you could claim a child that lived with you, you have to file a separate return for all of the years you qualified.
However, you cannot go back indefinitely. Usually, you can only file amended returns going three years back.
How do I Claim the Earned Income Credit?
If you file online, they will ask you the correct questions, help you claim the tax credits and deductions you qualify for, and guarantee you will receive the largest refund ever.
