You will qualify for the earned income credit if the following applies to your situation:
- Have earned income; and
- Have been a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year; and
- Have a valid Social Security number (not an ITIN) for yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and any qualifying children on your return; and
- Not have investment income exceeding $3,400; and
- Not be filing a Form 2555 or 2555-EZ; and
- File a return with the Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower filing status, even if you're not required to file a return.
The earned income and adjusted gross income limits are as follows:
- Zero qualifying children - Single, HoH, or Surviving Spouse: 14,880 dollars. Married Filing Jointly: 20,430.
- One qualifying children - Single, HoH, or Surviving Spouse: 39,296 dollars. Married Filing Jointly: 44,846.
- Two qualifying children - Single, HoH, or Surviving Spouse: 44,648 dollars. Married Filing Jointly: 50,198.
- Three qualifying children - Single, HoH, or Surviving Spouse: 47,955 dollars. Married Filing Jointly: 53,505
If there are no qualifying children, the following must apply:
I Don't Have a Qualifying Child
If you and your spouse, if filing a joint return, meet the basic EITC rules for everyone,
you qualify for EITC
if:
- You resided in the United States for more than half of the year; AND
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent or qualifying child on anyone else's return; AND
- You must have been at least 25 but under 65 years old at the end of the tax year.
