EITC and unemployment

[Chelsiew707]

I'm so confused because I'm getting two different answers for this! ☹

For 2021 I have no earned income and 15k from unemployment. Single, no kids or dependents. So I wouldn't qualify for the EITC. 

I've tried filing on 3 different sites, and they all automatically put in my 2019 earned income of 7k. 

My question is, if I don't qualify in 2021, can I use 2019? Also, my AGI would be higher for 2021 than 2019 so how does that work? 

Thank you! 🙂

[DianeW777]

No. First you must have earned income in 2021. You can elect to use your 2019 earned income to figure your 2021 earned income credit (EIC) if your 2019 earned income is more than your 2021 earned income.  

Unemployment is not considered earned income for the EIC.  You can use the EITC Assistant (click the link) to see if you qualify as well.  See the image below and the error when there is no earned income.

[Chelsiew707]

Thank you. Its confusing though why turbotax would have it pop up that you can use your 2019 income. Alot of people online said they just used it although it seems like they don't even qualify.