I was married in 2019, how would I calculate Earned Income for just me? I want to be able to get the EITC

[LeonardS]

Could you please clarify did you file a 2019 tax return, did you claim any dependents in 2019 if you filed?

[lauritacorreab17]

Yes I filed a 2019 return, and did not claim any dependents. I was married in 2019 and no longer am. I want to be able to get the Earned Income Tax Credit. According to TurboTax if my 2019 earned income was more then what I made in 2021 then I can apply that earned income to my taxes. How would I calculate that earned income from 2019 if I was married then and we filed together.

[GeorgeM777]

Here are the basic requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  To qualify for the EITC, you must:

• Have worked and earned income under $57,414
• Have investment income below $10,000 in the tax year 2021
• Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2021 return (including extensions)
• Be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien all year
• Not file Form 2555 (related to foreign earned income)

If you meet the above requirements, then you may likely qualify for the EITC.  TurboTax will calculate what, if any, EITC you are eligible to receive.  

You mentioned that when you filed your 2019 return, you did not claim any dependents.  We do not know whether you will claim any dependents for 2021, but here are the requirements for claiming the EITC without also claiming dependents.

• Meet the EITC basic qualifying rules.  These are the rules listed above.  
• Have your main home in the United States for more than half the tax year
  • The United States includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. military bases. It does not include U.S. possessions such as Guam, the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico

• Not be claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else's tax return

• Be at least age 18 at the end of the tax year (usually Dec. 31)
  • The minimum age to claim the EIC is generally age 19; however, if you are a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth, you need to be at least age 18.
  • If you are a specified student (other than a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth), you need to be at least age 24.

Lastly, you can elect to use your 2019 earned income to figure your 2021 EITC if your 2019 earned income is more than your 2021 earned income.

[AmeliesUncle]

You need to figure out what YOUR Earned Income was.  You need to look at YOUR W-2s, self-employment profit on Schedule C or F, and usually Partnership income (Box 14 of a 1065 K-1)