The Earned Income Tax Credit: Are You Missing Out?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to help low- to moderate-income workers and families. It is fully refundable, meaning it can give you a refund even if you owe no tax. Yet the IRS estimates that 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers fail to claim it.
2025 EITC Maximum Amounts
- No qualifying children: Up to $632
- 1 qualifying child: Up to $4,213
- 2 qualifying children: Up to $6,960
- 3 or more qualifying children: Up to $7,830
Income Limits (2025)
- No children: $18,591 (single) or $25,511 (married filing jointly)
- 1 child: $49,084 (single) or $56,004 (MFJ)
- 2 children: $55,768 (single) or $62,688 (MFJ)
- 3+ children: $59,899 (single) or $66,819 (MFJ)
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- You must have earned income (wages, salary, or self-employment income)
- Investment income must be $11,600 or less
- You must have a valid Social Security number
- You must be a US citizen or resident alien for the full year
- You cannot file as Married Filing Separately
- If no qualifying child, you must be at least age 25 and under 65
Why Eligible Filers Miss the EITC
- Income changes from year to year — you may qualify some years but not others
- Self-employed workers often do not realize they qualify
- Workers without children assume the credit is only for families
- Some filers do not file a return because their income is below the filing threshold
Even if you are not required to file a tax return, file one anyway if you might qualify for the EITC. The credit is only available if you claim it on a filed return.
