At a glance
- Who it's for
- People who earned money from a job or self-employment and have income under the limits below. You can qualify with or without children.
- What you get
- For the 2026 tax year (the return you file in early 2027): up to $664 with no children, $4,427 with 1 child, $7,316 with 2, and $8,231 with 3 or more.
- How long it takes
- By law, the IRS cannot send refunds that include the EITC before mid-February. Filing online with direct deposit is fastest.
- Where to apply
- On your federal tax return. You can file for free with IRS Free File or get free help at a VITA tax site.
How much you can get
These are the amounts for the 2026 tax year, which you file in early 2027. To qualify, your income (your adjusted gross income, or your earned income if that is higher) must be below the limit for your situation.
| Children | Most you can get | Income limit: single or head of household | Income limit: married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | $664 | $19,540 | $26,820 |
| 1 | $4,427 | $51,593 | $58,863 |
| 2 | $7,316 | $58,629 | $65,899 |
| 3 or more | $8,231 | $62,974 | $70,244 |
Your investment income, such as interest and dividends, must be $12,200 or less. The credit grows as you earn more, up to the maximum, and then goes down as income gets close to the limit.
Who can claim the EITC
- You earned income from a job, a business or gig work. Social Security, unemployment, child support and pensions do not count as earned income.
- You have a Social Security number that is valid for work, and so do your spouse and any child you claim, by the due date of your return.
- A qualifying child must be related to you, live with you in the U.S. for more than half the year, and be under 19 (under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently disabled).
- Without children, you must be 25 to 64, live in the U.S. for more than half the year, and not be claimed as someone else's dependent.
Married but separated? You can still claim the EITC without filing jointly if a qualifying child lived with you for more than half the year and you either lived apart from your spouse for the last 6 months of the year or are legally separated.
What to gather
- W-2 forms from every job
- 1099 forms and records of self-employment or gig income and costs, including cash jobs
- Social Security cards or numbers for you, your spouse and each child you claim
- Birth dates for each child, and school or medical records showing where they lived, in case the IRS asks
- Last year's tax return, if you have it
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Child care provider's name, address and tax ID, if you also claim the child care credit
Make a printable EITC checklist
How to claim it, step by step
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Choose a free way to file
IRS Free File: free guided tax software for people with adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less (the IRS limit for the current filing season). VITA: IRS-certified volunteers prepare your return for free. There is no program-wide income limit, but VITA mainly helps people who make about $70,244 or less. Be careful with anyone who charges a fee based on the size of your refund.
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File your federal tax return
You must file a return to get the EITC, even if you earned too little to owe tax. If you have a qualifying child, the software or volunteer also fills in Schedule EIC with each child's name, Social Security number, birth date, relationship to you and months lived with you.
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Choose direct deposit
Enter your bank routing and account numbers. Filing online with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund.
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Track your refund
Refunds with the EITC cannot be sent before mid-February. Check the status on the IRS refunds page (opens in a new tab).
Common mistakes to avoid
- A wrong Social Security number. Check every digit for you, your spouse and each child.
- Leaving out income. Report all earned income, including cash jobs and gig work.
- Claiming a child who does not qualify. The child must have lived with you in the U.S. for more than half the year.
- Two people claiming the same child. Only one person can claim a child for the EITC.
- Not filing. If you do not file a return, you cannot get the credit.
Common questions
Do I have to owe taxes to get the EITC?
No. If the credit is more than the tax you owe, the IRS sends you the difference as a refund.
Will my refund affect my other benefits?
Federal law says tax refunds, including the EITC, do not count as income for federal benefit programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, and do not count as savings for 12 months after you get them.
I didn't claim it in past years. Can I still get it?
Usually you can claim a refund for up to 3 years back by filing or fixing (amending) those returns. A VITA volunteer can help for free.
Does my state have its own EITC?
Many states have their own earned income credit that you claim on your state return. Ask your tax preparer or VITA volunteer.
Figures on this page were checked on September 29, 2026 against the official sources below. Tax rules change each year, and the IRS makes the final decision.