2025 TurboTax desktop EITC error

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
February 15, 2026
1 reply
27 views

During error checking it asks for the EITC box to be checked. I have No dependents. EITC is not applicable to me.

JohnB5677

Level 15

You don't need dependents to get the Earned Income Tax Credit.

"To qualify for the EITC, you must:

Have earned income
Have investment income below the limit
Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your return (including extensions)
Be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien all year
Not file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income
Meet certain rules if you are separated from your spouse and not filing a joint tax return"

See the IRS circular on Who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit

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dgsimmAuthor

Level 2

You are missing the point. I am not trying to qualify for EITC. I simply went thru error check and it presented the screen below asking me to check the EITC box. Why? Please open a support ticket for this issue. [email address removed]

AnnetteB6

Level 15

Based on the screenshot you shared, the checkbox is for the Illinois EITC. The qualifications for the Illinois EITC are different than the qualifications for the EITC on the Federal return. You may qualify for the state EITC when you did not qualify for the Federal EITC.

The error condition is asking you to check the box so that it can be determined if you qualify for the Illinois EITC. If you do qualify, then your refund/balance due for your state will be affected. TurboTax is trying to be sure you are claiming every credit that you may be qualified to claim to get your best possible results.

Checking the box does no harm. It then allows the program to determine if you meet the qualifications for the state EITC.

To learn more, see the following information from the Illinois DOR:

How do I qualify for the Illinois EITC?

@dgsimm

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