If I am on parole does that count as being an inmate?

[IsabellaG]

No, if you were not in a halfway house, incarcerated or in a work release program . Income earned as an inmate will not qualify as earned income for the Earned Income Tax Credit. 

[Scorpio 85]

I was just told, BY THE IRS on a phone call, that being on parole is the same as being an inmate and thus I am not eligable for my tax return for money that I worked hard for after I got out of prison. So is that true or not???

[SweetieJean]

Amounts received for work performed while an inmate in a penal institution aren't earned income for the earned income credit.  This includes amounts received for work performed while in a work release program or while in a halfway house.

2021 Publication 596 (irs.gov) at. p. 20.

[NCperson]

@batmanvoodoo - which tax year are we talking about? you never stated what specific money you were not getting. 

If you had money withheld from your paychecks, filing a tax return may return those withholdings to you, depending on whether you are due a refund. 

Also, if this is the 2020 or 2021 tax return, and you did not receive the stimulus payments, that would be resolved on the tax return as well. 

[Opus 17]

@Scorpio 85 

If part or all of your refund was from the earned income credit, you are not eligible if the work was performed in a halfway house or penal institution, because that work is not considered “earned” for income tax purposes.  However, if you are due a refund because your tax withheld was more than your tax owed, you are absolutely entitled to that portion of your refund.