EITC Quick Check for Taxpayers with Children

Step 1: Can You Answer Yes to ALL of the Following?

  1. Both I and my spouse (if filing married) have a valid Social Security card.
  2. My children have valid social security numbers.
  3. I am filing Single or Married Filing Jointly.
  4. I am a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident all year.
  5. I do not have foreign earned income (and won’t file Form 2555).
  6. I don’t have investment income over $2,550.
  7. I worked and earned money.

Step 2: If You Have Children, Can You Answer YES?

  1. My child is one of the following in relation to me:
    • My daughter, son, stepdaughter, stepson, or a descendant of any of them, OR
    • A brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them, whom I cared for as my own child, OR
    • An eligible foster child placed by an authorized agency or court whom I cared for as my own child.
  3. My child is one of the following:
    • under the age of 19, OR
    • under 24 and a full time student, OR
    • any age if totally and permanently disabled.
  5. My child has lived with me for more than 6 months during the year?
  6. My child is not being claimed on someone else’s tax return or as a "qualifying child" of another person with a higher adjusted gross income?
  7. My earned income and adjusted gross income are less than:
    • $33,178 if I have more than one qualifying child? OR
    • $29,201 if I have one qualifying child?
    • Note: Increase income by $1,000 for married filing jointly.

    If you can answer YES to all of the above, you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. You can receive up to $4140 back at tax time!