The EITC is a tax benefit for working people who earn lower or moderate incomes. The credit offsets taxes and supplements wages.

What is the EITC?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides relief for some workers at tax time. If you qualify, the tax credit lowers the amount of taxes you are required to pay. It is refundable, which means that if the credit is worth more than you owe, you get the rest of the money back in your tax refund.

Am I eligible?

There are three main eligibility requirements to claim the EITC:

1. You must work and earn income. Earned income can come from wages, salary, tips, employer-based disability, self-employment income, military pay, or union strike benefits.
2. Your income must be below certain limits. The income limits vary based on your filing status and number of qualifying children. You can check whether you meet the income requirements using the estimator above. Additionally, anu investment income must be below $11,950 in 2025.
3. You must have a valid Social Security number. You, your spouse (if filing jointly), and any children claimed for the EITC must have Social Security numbers that permit work and were issued on or before the due date of your tax return (including extensions).

See our eligibility chart for more details.

How do I claim the EITC?

To claim the EITC, workers with children must file Form 1040 and submit the Schedule EIC. (Workers without children do not need to complete the Schedule EIC.)

Free tax preparation assistance is available in-person and online. You can file your taxes in-person by visiting your local IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide site. Alternatively, you can file your taxes online for free at My Free Taxes.