The Earned Income Tax Credit - EITC or EIC

The Earned Income Tax Credit - EITC or EIC - is a refundable tax credit aimed at helping families with low-to-moderate earned income. During 2019, 25 million taxpayers received about $63 billing in Earned Income Credit. When you prepare and e-file your taxes with eFile.com, the Tax App will determine if this credit can be applied to your 2020 Tax Return and automatically report it on your Form 1040. It will also help you find and claim any tax credits or tax deductions that apply to your tax situation. 2020 Taxes were due no later than Oct. 15, 2021.

If you still need to file a Tax Year 2020 Tax Return, you can access the 2020 Federal IRS 1040 Forms here. You can complete previous tax year forms conveniently online here on eFile.com and sign them online electronically before you download, print and mail them the proper mailing address, based on your state residency.

Attention: If your earned income was higher in tax year 2019 than in tax year 2020, you can use the 2019 amount to calculate your EITC for 2020. This temporary relief is provided through Tax Relief Act of 2020. Important 2020 Update: Please read these important 2020 EITC instructions as you can enter either 2019 or 2010 income amounts for the the EITC calculation on your 2020 return. These same income rules apply in 2020 for the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Use this simple EITC worksheet to get an easy overview if you qualify or not.

• Generally, if your 2019 or 2020 income (e.g. W-2 income wages and/or net earnings from self-employment plus certain disability payments etc.) was less than $56,844 you might qualify for the Earned Income tax credit. Remember, on your 2020 return you can use the 2019 or 2020 income to determine your EITC: follow these instructions.
• The EITC can be as much as $6,660 for a family with qualifying children.
• Taxpayers who don’t have a qualifying child might qualify for up to $538.

The safest way to figure this out, is to start a free return on eFile.com and estimate this. You don't pay to have eFile to do this. Attention: Do not rush the EITC section. Contact us if you have questions.

You may qualify for the EITC if your 2020 taxable income is at a certain level and you have at least one dependent or qualified child - or if you don't have children but are between the ages 25 and 65. Let the Earned Income Tax Credit work for you when you prepare and eFile your taxes here on eFile.com! If you can claim the EITC or EIC, it would reduce the taxes you might owe and/or trigger or increase your tax refund. The credit lifts over 6 million people - including over 3 million children - out of poverty each year.

The easiest way to find out if you are eligible or qualify is by starting the EITCucator below and getting your personal answer about the Earned Income Credit on your 2020 Return. Simply answer the "Yes" or "No" questions until the EITCucator provides you with your final answer!

Only about 80% of taxpayers who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit claim it. Don't miss out on the money you deserve! Read more about the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Claiming the EITC is easy if you prepare your tax return on eFile.com! The online tax app will automatically determine if you qualify for the Earned Income Credit. If you qualify, eFile.com will calculate the correct amount of your credit and fill out the right forms for you to claim it.

Once you have determined your EITC eligibility, we suggest you use the Tax Calculator, or TAXstimator, to calculate and estimate your tax refund (or taxes owed) for the 2020 tax year.

2020 Earned Income Qualified Children, AGI Limits by Filing Status

Below, find limits outlined to qualify for the EITC. The table is organized by filing status, number of children or dependents, and your maximum Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI. These three factors are key in determining your eligibility for claiming the EITC.

Tax Year 2020 Maximum EITC Amounts by Number of Children Claimed

This table displays the maximum credit amount when claiming the EITC. The amount is directly related to number of children.

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