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Why am I not receiving the EITC? I do not have a child. But I do meet the rules on the IRS website for not having a child. I do have a dependent.

And my 2019 income was more than 2021. Also according to the IRS website :
Claim the EITC Without a Qualifying Child
You are eligible to claim the EITC without a qualifying child if you meet all the following rules. You (and your spouse if you file a joint tax return) must:

Meet the EITC basic qualifying rules
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
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2 Replies
LenaH
Employee Tax Expert

Why am I not receiving the EITC? I do not have a child. But I do meet the rules on the IRS website for not having a child. I do have a dependent.

It depends. 

 

To qualify for and claim the Earned Income Credit you must:

  • Have earned incomeand
  • Have been a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year; and
  • Have a valid Social Security number (not an ITIN) for yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and any qualifying children on your return; and
  • Not have investment income exceeding $10,000; and
  • Not be filing a Form 2555 or 2555-EZ; and
  • File a return with the Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower filing status, even if you're not required to file a return.

In addition, both your earned income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) may not exceed:

  • $21,430 if you're not claiming a qualifying child ($27,380 if filing jointly);
  • $42,158 if you're claiming 1 qualifying child ($48,108 if filing jointly);
  • $47,915 if you're claiming 2 qualifying children ($53,865 if filing jointly);
  • $51,464 if you're claiming 3+ qualifying children ($57,414 if filing jointly).

One more thing—if you're not claiming a qualifying child:

 

You (and your jointly filing spouse) can't be claimed as a qualifying child or dependent on anyone else's return, and

  • You must be at least 18 if you are a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth, regardless of whether or not you are a specified student
  • You must be at least age 19 if you aren't a specified student, qualified former foster youth, or qualified homeless youth
  • You must be at least age 24 if you are a specified student, unless you are a qualified former foster youth, or qualified homeless youth

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020 as a stimulus measure to provide relief to those affected by the pandemic. For tax year 2020, The CAA allows taxpayers to use their 2019 earned income if it was higher than their 2020 earned income in calculating the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2021, you can use whichever year's earned income, 2019 or 2021, that gives you the highest credit.

 

If you meet all of the above criteria, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Open your return.
  2. Search for EIC with the magnifying glass tool at the top of the page.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions. 
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Why am I not receiving the EITC? I do not have a child. But I do meet the rules on the IRS website for not having a child. I do have a dependent.

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