The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable federal tax credit for eligible low- to moderate-income workers, with or without qualifying children.
Worker eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit
Entitlement facts
Benefit type
Government benefit. A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route. Taxonomy definition →
What it unlocks
A reduction in federal income tax and a possible refund when the credit exceeds tax owed, with the amount based on earned income, filing status, and qualifying children.
Who qualifies
Worker eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit
Requirements
The taxpayer must have qualifying earned income, remain within the tax year's adjusted-gross-income and investment-income limits, have valid Social Security numbers by the return due date, use an eligible filing status, meet citizenship or resident-alien rules, and satisfy additional child or childless-worker rules.
How to activate
Use the IRS EITC Assistant if needed, file a federal income tax return for the applicable year, provide the required identifying and qualifying-child information, and claim the credit on the return.
Cost basis
No-cost access. The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.
Cost and fees
There is no fee to claim the credit on a self-prepared return, and eligible taxpayers may have free filing or preparation options. Commercial preparation, refund products, or other optional services can charge fees.
Geography
US
Personalization
Published eligibility is not described as individually targeted.
EVIDENCE / 1 SOURCE
Eligibility is conditional, not guaranteed.
Check the provider's final terms immediately before applying, depositing funds, spending, or changing a paid relationship.
Local federally funded community learning centers provide before-school, after-school, weekend, and summer academic enrichment, youth development, and family education, particularly for students at high-poverty and low-performing schools.
Condition
Variable by provider or eligibility
Personalized
No
002Verified
SU
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration · Government benefit
Free, confidential crisis support by call, text, or chat for people in suicidal, mental-health, or substance-use crisis and for people worried about someone else.
Condition
No-cost access
Personalized
No
003Verified
CI
City of Albuquerque Transit Department · Government benefit