The Earned Income Tax Credit - EITC or EIC

The Earned Income Tax Credit - EIC or EITC - is a refundable tax credit for taxpayers who have low or moderate incomes. This credit is meant to supplement your earned income, which is income you have earned by working for yourself - being self-employed - or working for someone else - employment or W-2 income. Learn more about taxable income and tax free income.

Am I Eligible for the EITC?

If you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, you can reduce your taxes and increase your tax refund. The EITC allows you to keep more of your hard-earned money. The credit is based on your total earned income or your total Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), whichever is higher. For example, if you have unemployment compensation, it is not considered earned income, but will be included in your AGI since unemployment is taxable income. The income limits get adjusted every year, so even if you did not qualify for the EITC in the past, you might qualify now and be able to claim it this year on your return. Start the EITCucator tool below to see if you qualify for this credit and learn what your credit amount may be.

Note: For Tax Year 2021, the eligibility for single taxpayers with no dependents had been widened for more people to qualify; the calculator below accounts for this. This will be updated for 2022 Returns as these changes are no longer relevant. Additionally, the IRS allowed taxpayers to use their 2019 adjusted gross income if was is higher than their 2021 AGI. You may use this in the calculator to compare the results.

The Taxpert Earned Income Credit Tool

Can I Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?
Tax Year 2021

Start EITCucator

Can I Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?
Do you, your spouse (if filing jointly), AND all qualifying children have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)?
Do you have earned income, such as taxable wages, salaries, tips, or net self-employment earnings?
Select your Filing Status
Were you a U.S. citizen or resident alien for ALL of the tax year?
Are you a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien with whom you are filing jointly?
Are you able to be claimed as the qualifying child of another taxpayer for the purpose of the Earned Income Credit?
Are you filing Form 2555/2555-EZ (Foreign Earned Income)?
Is your investment income for the tax year less than $10,000?
How many qualifying children younger than you do you have that meet any of the following scenarios?
  • - Age 18 or younger as of December 31 of the tax year.
  • - Age 23 or younger at the end of the tax year and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year.
  • - Any age and permanently or totally disabled at any time during the year.
Were you at least 19 years old on the last day of the tax year?
Did you live in the U.S. for more than half of the tax year?
What is your Adjusted Gross Income?
$

No. According to the information you have provided, you do not qualify for the Earned Income Credit.

There may be other tax credits available for you. When you prepare your tax return on Taxpert, the online tax software will identify and calculate every credit for which you qualify.

Email Me My Results, Promo Codes We will not share your email with anybody; you can unsubscribe at any time.
Start a return now on Taxpert for more personalized results before you e-file your taxes.
Yes, based on the information you entered, it looks like you qualify for the Earned Income Credit! It looks like you may qualify for a credit of up to  . Start a tax return on Taxpert to claim your credit!
Email Me My Results, Promo Codes We will not share your email with anybody; you can unsubscribe at any time.
Start a return now on Taxpert for more personalized results before you e-file your taxes.

How to Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for a Previous Tax Year

If you need to claim the EITC for a previous year for the first time or by filing a tax amendment for an accepted return, start by determining your eligibility with these calculators on our Earned Income Credit page.

Prepare to prepare your next tax return with Taxpert and see why Taxpert has become trusted amongst taxpayers. The Taxpert platform will not only claim the credit for you, but will calculate the maximum amount you are entitled to. See our promises and compare to other tax preparation services to see for yourself!