The Schedule EIC: Earned Income Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit is refundable, allowing eligible low to moderate income workers the opportunity to reduce their taxable income. If its reduced below zero, the taxpayer may receive a refund of the excess amount of the credit. The credit is adjusted each year to account for the cost of living, as well as the associated income limitations. To qualify to claim the EITC, you must meet certain tests. Those with qualifying can claim the EITC by filing Schedule with your tax return.

Eligibility

If you want to claim the EITC, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You must have a valid Social Security Number
  • You must be a U.S. or full-year resident alien
  • You must have earned income, either form wages, salaries, self-employment, or other forms, which meet the income limitations for the EITC.
  • You are not a qualifying of another taxpayer

If you are married, but file a separate return from your , you won't be eligible to claim the EITC. Additionally, those who file Form 2555 or 2555-EZ, or have more than $3,400 in in 2016 are also ineligible for the credit.

You do not need a qualifying child to claim the EITC, as long as you aren't a of any other taxpayer, are between the ages of 25 and 65, and live in the US for more than half of the year.

Qualifying Child

When you file Schedule EIC, you are claiming one or more qualifying children (up to three different children). A qualifying child meets the following requirements:

  • Lives with you for over half the year
  • Is under the of 19 at the end of the year (24 if considered a full-time student)
  • Does not file a
  • Is either your son, daughter, sibling, step-sibling, or legal foster child

A child can only be claimed by one taxpayer. If a child is eligible to be claimed by more than one person, the IRS must employ a tie-breaker rule.

The EITC amount increases with the addition of each qualifying child – but maxes at a total of three. The earned income limit that taxpayers can make in 2016 is up to $53,505. The credit can result in up to $6,269 for three qualifying children (the credit decreases with less children).