The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that helps low-to moderate-income workers. The EITC reduces the amount of federal income taxes they owe. Some taxpayers can also get a refund, even if they owe no taxes.

To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, taxpayers must:

• Have earned income from working (such as wages, salaries, tips, or self-employment).
• Meet income limits based on filing status and the number of qualifying children they have. (The IRS updates these thresholds each year.)
• Have a valid Social Security number. Spouses and qualifying children must also have Social Security numbers
• File taxes using an allowable status — taxpayers who file as Married Filing Separately are not eligible for the EITC.
• Be a US citizen or resident alien for the entire filing year (or meet certain special rules, if the filer is a nonresident alien).
• Not be claimed as a dependent or qualifying child on someone else’s tax return.
• Have investment income below the annual limit set by the IRS. (This limit is also updated annually).

Meet three criteria, if they do not have a qualifying child:

• Be at least 25 years old but under 65 at the end of the tax year
• Live in the US for more than half the year
• Not qualify as someone else’s dependent