How do I know if I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

Eligibility Criteria for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

To be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the tax year 2023, individual taxpayers must meet the following criteria:

1. Income Requirements

- Earned Income Limit: Taxpayers must have worked and earned income under $63,398.

- Investment Income Limit: Taxpayers must have investment income below $11,000 for the tax year 2023.

2. Social Security Number

- Every individual claimed on the tax return must have a valid Social Security number (SSN) that is valid for employment and issued before the due date of the 2023 tax return, including extensions.

3. Filing Status

Taxpayers can qualify for the EITC using one of the following filing statuses:

- Married filing jointly

- Head of household

- Qualifying surviving spouse

- Married filing separately (under certain conditions)

4. Citizenship or Residency

- Taxpayers must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien all year.

5. Additional Requirements

- Taxpayers must not file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income.

- Special rules apply for military members, clergy members, and taxpayers with disabilities.

- For those married but not filing jointly, they must have lived apart from their spouse for the last 6 months of 2023 or be legally separated and not living with their spouse at the end of 2023.

6. Qualifying Child Criteria

If claiming the EITC with qualifying children, the children must meet all qualifying child rules, which include:

- Having a valid Social Security number.

- Meeting the age, relationship, residency, and joint return tests.

7. Disability Considerations

- Taxpayers with a disability or those with a qualifying child with a disability may be eligible for the EITC.

8. Other Considerations

- Taxpayers cannot use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) for the EITC.

- The SSN must not be one that is not valid for employment.

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Sources:

Who Qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024-08-03

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Earned Income and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Tables 2024-08-04

Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers 2024-08-02

Qualifying Child Rules | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Disability and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024-08-02

Tax credits for individuals: What they mean and how they can help ... 2024-08-03

TAS Tax Tips: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 individual tax changes ... 2024-07-30