Program
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
A federal tax credit for working households with low or moderate income.
- Official name
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with qualifying dependents
- Where
- Nationwide
- Status
- Program running
- Most it pays
- $8,231 per-year
- About the amount
- TY2026 (filed 2027): $664/$4,427/$7,316/$8,231 for 0/1/2/3+ qualifying children. Investment-income limit $12,200 (TY2026). Refundable.
- How long it takes
- Claimed on the annual tax return.
- How to apply
- Claimed on the annual federal tax return.
- Does not pay for
- A parent generally can't be an EITC 'qualifying child' for an adult child caregiver — this credit does NOT help most people caring for an aging parent. Social Security, pensions, and SSI are not earned income.
- Official source
- irs.gov
- Last checked
- September 28, 2026