The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit designed to help low- and moderate-income workers reduce the taxes they owe—and in some cases, increase their refund.
To qualify, you must have earned income from work or self-employment and meet specific income, filing status, and eligibility rules.
What counts as earned income for the EITC?
Earned income generally includes money you make from working, such as:
Wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable pay
Net earnings from self-employment
Certain income earned as a statutory employee
Some types of income don’t count as earned income for EITC purposes, including:
Interest and dividends (investment income)
Alimony or child support
Pensions and annuities
Social Security or railroad retirement benefits
Unemployment benefits
Veterans benefits
Welfare benefits
Workers’ compensation
Nontaxable foster care payments
Who can qualify for the EITC?
You may qualify for the EITC if:
You (or your spouse, if filing jointly) had earned income
You have a valid Social Security number
You lived in the U.S. for more than half the year
You can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return
You can qualify with or without qualifying children, as long as you meet the income and age rules.
What are the age rules?
If you have qualifying children, there’s no age requirement for you as the taxpayer.
If you don’t have qualifying children, you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) must be:
At least 25, and
Under 65
Who counts as a qualifying child for the EITC?
A qualifying child must meet age, relationship, residency, and joint return rules.
Age requirements:
Under 19 and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), or
Under 25 and a full-time student for at least 5 months, or
Any age if permanently and totally disabled
How much can I earn and still qualify for the EITC in 2025?
Your eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) depends on your filing status, the number of qualifying children you claim, and whether your earned income and investment income fall within the IRS limits for 2025.
2025 earned income limits (maximum AGI)
Qualifying children | Single / Head of household / Married filing separately / Widowed | Married filing jointly |
0 | $19,104 | $26,214 |
1 | $50,434 | $57,554 |
2 | $57,310 | $64,430 |
3 or more | $61,555 | $68,675 |
What’s the investment income limit?
For Tax Year 2025, your investment income must be $11,950 or less to qualify for the EITC.
How much is the EITC worth in 2025?
The amount of EITC you may receive depends on your income and number of qualifying children. The maximum credit amounts for 2025 are:
Qualifying children | Maximum credit |
0 | $649 |
1 | $4,328 |
2 | $7,152 |
3 or more | $8,046 |
When will I get my refund if I claim the EITC?
If you claim the EITC, the IRS is required to hold refunds until mid-February to help prevent fraud.
Most taxpayers can expect refunds by early March if they:
E-file their return
Choose direct deposit
Don’t have issues that require additional review
Why I might not qualify for the EITC
You may not qualify for the EITC if your income is above the IRS limits, your investment income is too high, you don’t have earned income, you’re claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return, or you file Form 2555 for foreign earned income. Filing status and age rules can also affect eligibility, especially if you don’t have qualifying children.
What if I had no income last year?
To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), you must have earned income for the year.
If you had no earned income last year, you generally won’t qualify for the federal EITC. Even so, you may still want to file a tax return to check eligibility for other credits or state-level programs.
How can I double-check if I qualify?
If you’re unsure, the IRS provides an EITC Assistant tool that walks you through eligibility step by step based on your income, filing status, and family sit
Does Washington state have its own Earned Income Tax Credit?
Yes. If you live in Washington state, you may also qualify for the Washington Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC).
The WFTC is a state-level credit based on your eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), but it’s claimed separately through the state of Washington, not on your federal tax return.
If you qualify, the WFTC can provide additional money back on top of any federal refund you receive.
If you don’t qualify, there’s nothing extra you need to file for Washington state.
You can check your Washington Working Families Tax Credit eligibility through the state to see if you qualify.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial, accounting, or other advice. Rules and regulations vary by location and are subject to change, so please consult with an expert if you need advice specific to you.
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