How to use the EITC calculator
- 1 Enter your earned income: wages and self-employment profit.
- 2 Enter your adjusted gross income.
- 3 Choose your number of qualifying children and filing status.
- 4 Enter investment income and your age if you have no children, then read the credit.
Worked example
A single parent with two children and $28,000 of earnings. Earnings are above $18,290, so the credit reaches the $7,316 maximum, then income is $4,110 over the $23,890 phase-out start. At 21.06% that takes off $865.57, leaving an EITC of about $6,450. A single worker aged 30 with no children and $15,000 of earnings gets about $347.
Claiming the EITC
- Make sure every child has an SSN and lived with you over half the year.
- Count all earned income, including gig and self-employment profit.
- Watch investment income above $12,200.
- Use free filing help such as IRS VITA sites.
Add the credit to your Tax Refund Calculator estimate, check the Child Tax Credit Calculator, and plan spending with the Budget Calculator.
Features
2026 IRS figures
Maximum credits, phase-in and phase-out ranges from Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Every household
No children to three or more, single or married filing jointly.
Eligibility checks
Investment income limit of $12,200 and the 25-64 age rule without children.
When to use it
Low and moderate earners
See if you qualify before tax season. Estimate your full refund with the Tax Refund Calculator.
Parents
Combine with the Child Tax Credit Calculator.
Part-time workers
See how more hours change the credit. Work out pay with the Hourly to Salary Calculator.
Self-employed
Self-employment profit counts as earned income. Check self-employment tax with the Self-Employment Tax Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum EITC for 2026?
$664 with no qualifying children, $4,427 with one, $7,316 with two and $8,231 with three or more.
What are the 2026 EITC income limits?
For single or head of household filers: $19,540 with no children, $51,593 with one, $58,629 with two and $62,974 with three or more. For married filing jointly: $26,820, $58,863, $65,899 and $70,244.
What is the investment income limit?
$12,200 for 2026. If interest, dividends, capital gains and similar income are above that, you cannot claim the EITC at all.
Who qualifies without children?
Workers aged 25 to 64 who are not claimed as a dependent and lived in the US for more than half the year.
Is the EITC refundable?
Yes. You get the full credit as a refund even if you owe no tax.
Why is my refund held until February?
By law the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the EITC before mid-February, to prevent fraud. Most arrive by early March.
Who is a qualifying child?
A child who meets the relationship, age (under 19, or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently disabled) and residency tests, and has a valid Social Security number.
Can married people filing separately claim it?
In some cases, if they lived apart for the last six months of the year or are legally separated.
Why does my result differ slightly from the IRS table?
The IRS table works in $50 income bands, while this calculator uses the exact formula, so results can differ by a few dollars.
Can I get the EITC and the child tax credit?
Yes. Many families get both. The EITC and the refundable part of the child tax credit are separate credits, and both can add to your refund.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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