Why did TurboTax say I didn’t qualify for the earned income credit when I meet all of the qualifications?

[cranium91]

I meet all of the criteria for the credit, all of my kids qualify, and my agi and earned income is below the threshold. Turbo tax included my dependent care fsa in my earned income on the software but not on my actual 1040 form.

[ChristieB]

What was the message that TurboTax gave you for the reason you didn't qualify? If you go back to the Earned Income Credit section, it will display the message again.

[cranium91]

It said my agi was too high for the credit. It showed an agi income of higher than 55,000 but looking at my 1040 after filing my agi was only 51,000.

[ChristieB]

Is there a dollar amount on Line 17a of your Form 1040?

[cranium91]

718. If that is the dollar amount of the eic credit then why was it so low? I have three qualifying children and we are married filing jointly.

[Rainman12 · Accepted solution]

You got the maximum amount of EIC allowed for MFJ with three children; $718 applies to qualifying income between $51,450 and $51,500. EIC gradually goes down as your income increases. At $54,885, your EIC would be zero. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4935.pdf 

[cranium91]

Thanks everyone for your help!