You can see if your received the earned income credit by checking the tax return. The earned income credit can be found on the following lines of the 1040 and 1040A:
- Form 1040 Line 66a.
- Form 1040A Line 42a
If those lines are blank, you did not receive the earned income credit. You can amend your return to claim the earned income credit if you qualify. To file an amended return in TurboTax, follow the directions at this TurboTax webpage: TurboTax FAQ - How to amend (change or correct) a tax return you already filed. The qualifications are as follows:
You qualify for EITC if:
-
you have earned income and adjusted gross income within certain limits; AND
- you meet certain basic rules; AND
- you either:
Filing Status
You must file:
- Married filing jointly
- Head of household
- Qualifying widow or widower
- Single
You can't claim EITC if your filing status is married filing separately.
Income Earned During 2016
- Your tax year investment income must be $3,400 or less for the year.
- Must not file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income or Form 2555-EZ, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
- Your total earned income must be at least $1.
- Both your earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must be no more than:
- For Single, Surviving Spouse, or Head of Household filing status, the income must be under 14,880 dollars if there are no dependents, 39,296 dollars with one child, 44,648 with two children, and 47,955 dollars with three or more children claimed.
- For Married Filing Joint filing status, the income must be under 20,430 dollars if there are no dependents, 44,846 dollars with one child, 50,198 with two children, and 53,505 dollars with three or more children claimed.
I Have a Qualifying Child
If you, and your spouse if filing a joint return, meet the criteria above and you have a child who lives with you, you may be eligible for EITC. Each child you claim must pass the relationship, age, residency and joint return tests to be your qualifying child. See the
Qualifying Child Rules
for guidance.
I Don't Have a Qualifying Child
If you and your spouse, if filing a joint return, meet the basic EITC rules for everyone,
you qualify for EITC
if:
- You resided in the United States for more than half of the year; AND
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent or qualifying child on anyone else's return; AND
- You must have been at least 25 but under 65 years old at the end of the tax year.
