EITC - it's not just for families with children |
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Workers with low wages who do not have a child might be able to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Childless workers with low-income are believed to be the largest group of taxpayers who do not claim the credit.
If you are 25 years old but under age 65 at the end of the year and had low wages or other earned income you may be able to claim the credit. If you are married, either you or your husband or wife must be 25 but under 65 at the end of the year. Check here for the income levels for this year and prior years. Also, you may be able to claim the credit for the last few years.
You can find out if you are eligible for the EITC by answering a few questions and providing basic income information, using the IRS' online EITC Assistant web tool. It's available in English and Spanish.
In short, to qualify for EITC, you must meet the following rules:
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You must have earned income from employment or self-employment
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Your filing status cannot be married, filing separately
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You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien filing a joint return
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You cannot be the qualifying child of another person
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If you do not have a qualifying child, you must:
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be age 25 but under 65 at the end of the year,
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live in the United States for more than half the year, and
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not qualify as a dependent of another person
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For 2008, your investment income must be $2,950 or less.
If neither you nor your spouse meets the income test, you cannot claim the EITC. You should write "No" next to line 64a (Form 1040), line 40a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ) when you prepare your return.
Check now to see if you are eligible. Use our EITC Assistant.
Return to Main EITC page.
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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: December 12, 2008