IRS Earned income Tax Credit Chart Calculator EIC EITC 2008 2009

Do you qualify for EITC or EIC or Earned Income Tax Credit? Most Americans unfortunately still don't know if they actually qualify for Earned Income Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit or the EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. Government approved the Earned Income Credit in 1975 to offset the burden of social security taxes. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, IRS issues a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the Earned Income Tax credit.

EITC Earned Income Credit requirements:

1)  The EITC (Earned Income Credit) is a credit for certain people who work. You (and your spouse, if you are filing a joint return) and any qualifying children listed qualifying for EIC need valid social security numbers.

2) You must have earned income from employment or from self-employment.
3) Your filing status cannot be married if your are  filing separately.
4) You cannot be a qualifying child of another person. It also means you need to legally prove thorugh social security number that the child you are claiming earned income tax credit is your legal child.
5) Minimum age for primary applicant is 25 years and max age is 65 yrs.

Earned income tax credit Annual Gross income requirements:

$37,783 ($39,783 for married filing jointly) if you have more than one qualifying child,

$33,241 ($35,241 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or

$12,590 ($14,590 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.


If you are one of the Low Income Taxpayer, you might want to avail for free Low Income Taxpayer Clinics services. Check the clinic in your area.

Again we would like to highlight a few points about this extremely important Earned Income Tax Credit 2008 2009.

- According to IRS, A quarter of all taxpayers that qualify don’t claim the Earned income credit. The Earned Income Tax Credit is money you can use to make a difference in your life. Just because you didn’t qualify last year, doesn’t mean you won’t this year.

- If you qualify, it could be worth up to $4,800 this year. If you qualify, you could pay less federal tax or even get a refund. The EITC is based on the amount of your earned income and whether or not there are qualifying children in your household.

- Married couples and single people without kids may qualify for EIC.

- Special rules of Earned Income Tax Credit apply to members of the U.S. Armed Forces in combat zones.

- E-file programs will figure the credit for you. If you are preparing your taxes electronically. Check out our review of Turbo Tax 2008

What is Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit?

Advance EITC is a portion of the EITC that qualified workers may be able to receive in advance payments, added to their wages throughout the year.