• Filing Status What is my Filing Status? Single Married, Filing Jointly
• Number of Children What is a qualify child? No Children 1 Child 2 Children 3+ Children
• Yearly Earnings What is Earned Income?

• You (or your spouse):

  • are between 25 and 65
  • have lived in the U.S. for at least 6 months and
  • are not dependents of someone else? What do these mean?

  Yes No

What's Next?

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Is the Earned Income Tax Credit something new for 2011?

No, but many people who are eligible to get the credit do not know about it.

I didn't file taxes last year. Is it too late?

No, you can work with a community organization or a tax professional to file prior year taxes. Read more here.

Can I file for the EITC on my past tax returns?

Yes, you can apply for the credit for the past three years (2010, 2009, and 2008). That could mean a lot of extra money for your family. Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1 (800) 829-1040 (toll-free) to find out the best option to prepare your back year taxes.

Can I still get the EITC if I work and also get welfare benefits?

Yes.

If I get the EITC, will this lower the amounts of other government benefits I am already receiving? Could I lose my benefits?

Generally, no. The credit does not count as income for Medicaid, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or federally-assisted housing programs. Here are some of the rules:

• For Medicaid, SSI, or Federally-Assisted Housing Programs: The money you get back must be spent one month after you receive it. If not, it can count as a resource.
• For Food Stamps: The credit must be spent within 12 months after you receive it. If not, it can affect the amount of food stamps you receive.

Can I get the EITC as an immigrant worker?

Yes, as long as you, your spouse and children have a valid Social Security Number that allow you to work in the United States. Many immigrants authorized to work in the U.S. with a Social Security Number can get the credit.

Can I still qualify for the EITC if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or a non-work Social Security Number, you cannot get the EITC. If you have an ITIN, you can still file a tax return and may be eligible to receive a refund or certain tax credits.

I don't owe taxes. Can I file electronically after April 15th?

Yes, you can file your return after April 15^th. If you want an extension to pay your taxes by October 15^th, you'll need to file a special form by April 15. You can download the form here: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98155,00.html.

How do I know if my child qualifies for the EITC?

To be included as your Qualifying Child when you apply for the EITC, your dependent must meet the following conditions:

• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Be your son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, or descendent of any of them (such as a grandchild) or brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendent of any of them (such as a niece or nephew).
• At the end of the filing year, be younger than you (or your spouse if filing jointly) and be younger than 19, or younger than 24 and a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled.
• The child must live with you in the U.S. for at least 6 months
• The child can't file a joint return, unless it was filed only to claim a refund.
• A qualifying child can't be included on a return by more than one person.

Can I still apply for the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit?

No. The Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit will not be available after December 31, 2010.

Filing Status

Your filing status determines your standard deduction, whether you can receive certain credits and your tax amount. Choose: Single or Married, Filing Jointly

Read these four tips from the IRS to choose the correct status.

1. Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your marital status for the entire year.
2. “Single”: Someone who is unmarried, divorced or legally separated.
3. “Married Filing Jointly”: A married couple may file a joint return together.

If your spouse died during the year and you did not remarry during the year, you may still file a joint return with that spouse for the year of death.

Number of Qualifying Children

To be included as your Qualifying Child when you apply for the EITC, your dependent must meet the following conditions:

• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Be your son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, or descendent of any of them (such as a grandchild) or brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendent of any of them (such as a niece or nephew).
• At the end of the filing year, be younger than you (or your spouse if filing jointly) and be younger than 19, or younger than 24 and a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled.
• The child must live with you in the U.S. for at least the past 6 months.
• The child can’t file a joint return, unless it was filed only to claim a refund.
• A qualifying child can’t be included on a return by more than one person.

Yearly Earnings

Your yearly earned income includes all the income and wages you get from working for someone or from a business you own. This includes:

• Wages, salaries, and tips
• Union strike benefits
• Long-term disability benefits received before minimum retirement age
• Net earnings from self-employment
• Nontaxable Combat Pay (if you choose to include it as earned income).

Income that is not considered earned:

• Interest and dividends
• Pensions
• Social security
• Unemployment benefits
• Alimony
• Child support

Dependents of Someone Else

Another person cannot claim you or your spouse as a "dependent" on their tax return, meaning that you rely on them for financial support.