topic Re: Non-dependent EITC in Deductions & credits

Non-dependent EITC

nicolecrit87 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:08:25 GMT

My nephew is disabled and I provide year round care and expenses, but he works two days a week and made just under $5k can he file his own return and get EITC? I've drafted my return and it says he is a "Non-dependent - for EIC/Dependent care only. What does this mean?

Re: Non-dependent EITC

DianeW777 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:32:57 GMT

First, let's review some of the rules for claiming a dependent. It's important to review because your nephew could be your qualifying relative. Review the answers to your questions to see if you made all the right selections. These links may be helpful as well.

Please provide additional details about why you think you cannot claim your nephew. Then we can be more specific about the answer to your questions.

Re: Non-dependent EITC

nicolecrit87 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:48:37 GMT

He works two days out the week and made $4900 for the year. I just want to be sure I'm filing correctly and checking all the correct boxes. I did look on the IRS site and saw that he doesn't need to file since he only made that $5k.

Re: Non-dependent EITC

Vanessa A — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:53:59 GMT

If he made $4,900 for the year from working, then yes, he can file a return for the sole purpose of claiming a refund of any taxes he had withheld. Since this income is from working, he could get $377 in EIC if he earned $4,900.

So although he does not need to file, he may want to file just to claim the EITC.