My gross adjusted income is $36,000 and I have one dependent child. Why am I eligible for such a small Earned Income Credit amount @ $502?

[DoninGA]

You are near the top of the range for maximum income with one child.  See this IRS website - <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eitc-income-limits-maxim...>

[Rachel_W · Accepted solution]

Think of the Earned Income Credit as a Bell Curve Graph.  

When your Earned Income is very low, the Earned Income Credit is very low too.  

As your Earned Income increases, the Earned Income Credit increases as well…. up to a point.  

Once your income hits a certain level (the Peak of the Bell Curve), the Earned Income Credit actuall...

In your case, you have passed the Peak of the Bell Curve, and as your income continues to increase, ...