How can i reduce earned income?

[swykrent]

So my husband and I made about $120 too much last year to qualify for the earned income credit. Is there any way I can reduce the amount of "earned income" now, such as contributions to an IRA??

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

No you cannot reduce your income in order to qualify for EIC.  If it is any comfort, when you are right on the edge of qualifying for EIC, the EIC amount you could receive would be very little.

When you enter your dependents and your income into your tax return, TT automatically calculates and includes EIC if you qualify for it. So it is already showing in your refund. If you do not understand the amount of EIC you are receiving, please look at the chart for EIC—look for the number of children you claimed and your income, and you will see how much EIC you are supposed to be getting.  

There is a table that starts on page 29 of IRS publication 596 regarding EIC and the amount you can receive for your earned income:

www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p596.pdf