Adjusted gross income less than 5k but only recieving partial credit? Here is what it is saying: You received an Earned Income Tax Credit of $182 because as a single filer with no qualifying children your adjusted gross income of $4,625 exceeded the $9,800 phase-out threshold. For taxpayers in your situation, the maximum credit is $600 but it begins decreasing once income surpasses $9,800. With an adjusted gross income of $4,625, your credit was appropriately reduced to $182 based on your filing status and income.
Can someone explain?
The Earned Income Tax Credit is figured on a bell shape curve. When you have $0 income, you have $0 credit. As your income goes up, the credit goes up until you reach the peak of the bell then the credit starts going back down. You were beginning or going upside of the credit. Since you are single with no dependents, the maximum credit is $600. You did not earn enough income to reach the $600 mark. Instead, your income reached the mark that would give you a credit of $182.