topic Re: EIC Lookback Question in Deductions & credits

EIC Lookback Question

southerngirlz24 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:40:59 GMT

So in 2019 I worked and had a W2. This year i only had unemployment. Am i able to use my 2019 income for my EIC credit? Its not letting me in the program.

Re: EIC Lookback Question

MaryK4 — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:05:40 GMT

Unfortunately, unemployment is not earned income. The American Rescue Plan of 2021 has a “lookback” provision that allows you to use your 2019 earned income instead of your 2021 earned income to calculate the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your 2021 tax return if doing so makes the credit larger.

Re: EIC Lookback Question

Hal_Al — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:17:08 GMT

Q. Am i able to use my 2019 income for my EIC credit?

A. Yes

Earned income lookback rule: For tax year 2021, the taxpayer may elect to look back two years and use 2019 earned income instead of 2021 earned income for purposes of calculating the credit. This is optional and can be used if the 2019 earnings will increase the amount of credit that can be claimed. Reference: https://proconnect.intuit.com/taxprocenter/tax-law-and-news/earned-income-credit-tax-law-changes-for-tax-year-2021-and-beyond/

I have Desktop (download) TT Deluxe and it is working properly. To get the page to make the 2019 selection,

In TurboTax (TT), enter at:

Federal Taxes Tab (Personal for H&B version)

Deductions & Credits

-Scroll down to:

-You and your family

--Earned Income Credit