The IRS has an interactive assistant that she can use to see if she qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC Assistant
She can also start a TurboTax return using the Free Edition - the Earned Income Credit is included with that version. And TurboTax will tell her if she qualifies for the EITC. She will answer the same questions that the IRS assistant asks, but TurboTax does all the calculations and enters the credit for her if she qualifies.
To claim the EITC, both her earned income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) may not exceed:
- $21,430 if you're not claiming a qualifying child ($27,380 if filing jointly);
- $42,158 if you're claiming 1 qualifying child ($48,108 if filing jointly);
- $47,915 if you're claiming 2 qualifying children ($53,865 if filing jointly);
- $51,464 if you're claiming 3+ qualifying children ($57,414 if filing jointly).
ALSO—if she is not claiming a qualifying child:
She (and her jointly filing spouse) can't be claimed as a qualifying child or dependent on anyone else's return, and
- She must be at least 18 if you are a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth, regardless of whether or not you are a specified student
- She must be at least age 19 if you aren't a specified student, qualified former foster youth, or qualified homeless youth
- She must be at least age 24 if you are a specified student, unless you are a qualified former foster youth, or qualified homeless youth
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