Earned income credit how do i qualify

To be valid, the SSN must be:. You can't claim the EITC if your filing status is married filing separately. If you paid more than half the total cost to keep up a home during the tax year you file your taxes, you meet the requirement of paying more than half the cost of keeping up the home. If you or your spouse were a nonresident alien for any part of the tax year, you can only claim the EITC if your filing status is married filing jointly and you or your spouse is a:.

Security About eFile. Where Is My Refund? How to Check Refund Status efile. Mailing Addresses Contact eFile. Sign In Start Now. The eFile. Start Over. Yes No. Do you have earned income, such as taxable wages, salaries, tips, or net self-employment earnings?

Select Your Filing Status. Were you a U. Are you a nonresident alien married to a U. Are you able to be claimed as the Qualifying Child of another taxpayer for the purpose of the Earned Income Credit? How many Qualifying Children younger than you do you have that meet any of the following scenarios?

None 1 2 3 or More. Were you at least 25 AND younger than 65 on the last day of the tax year? Did you live in the U. What is your Adjusted Gross Income?

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Skip To Main Content. Here are five facts about the EITC all taxpayers should know. Eligibility is limited to low-to-moderate income earners. The general eligibility rules for the EITC are: Taxpayers must file as individuals or married filing jointly. If married, you, your spouse and your qualifying children must have valid Social Security numbers.

You must also be at least 19 or older with no upper age limit. However, if you are at least a part-time student then you must be at least 24 years old. Qualifying former foster children and homeless youth must be at least 18 years old. Self-employed still counts Many filers, especially self-employed individuals, fail to take advantage of credits because they think they are ineligible.