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2 replies

IsabellaG
IsabellaG
Level 13
June 4, 2019

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. 

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S
Scorpio 85
Level 2
August 11, 2022

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???

S
Alumni - Champ
SweetieJeanAlumni - Champ
Alumni - Champ
August 11, 2022

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.

 

    N
    NCperson
    Level 15
    August 11, 2022

    @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. 

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