IRS Releases Publication 596 (2016), Earned Income Credit (EIC)

Future Developments

For the latest information about developments related to Pub. 596, such as legislation enacted after it was published, go to http://www.irs.gov/pub596.

What is the EIC?

The earned income credit (EIC) is a tax credit for certain people who work and have earned income under $53,505. A tax credit usually means more money in your pocket. It reduces the amount of tax you owe. The EIC may also give you a refund.

Can I Claim the EIC?

To claim the EIC, you must meet certain rules. These rules are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Earned Income Credit in a Nutshell

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Certain people who file Form 1040 must use Worksheet 1 in this publication, instead of Step 2 in their Form 1040 instructions, when they are checking whether they can take the EIC. You are one of those people if any of the following statements are true for 2016.

Do I Have To Have a Child To Qualify for the EIC?

No, you can qualify for the EIC without a qualifying child if you are at least age 25 but under age 65 and your earned income is less than $14,880 ($20,430 if married filing jointly). See chapter 3.

How Do I Figure the Amount of EIC?

If you can claim the EIC, you can either have the IRS figure your credit, or you can figure it yourself. To figure it yourself, you can complete a worksheet in the instructions for the form you file. To find out how to have the IRS figure it for you, see chapter 4.

How Can I Quickly Locate Specific Information?

You can use the index to look up specific information. In most cases, index entries will point you to headings, tables, or a worksheet.

Is There Help Online?

Yes. You can use the EITC Assistant at http://www.irs.gov/eitc to find out if you may be eligible for the credit. The EITC Assistant is available in English and Spanish.

What's New for 2016

Earned income amount. The maximum amount of income you can earn and still get the credit has increased. You may be able to take the credit if:

Investment income amount. The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit is $3,400. See Rule 6--Your Investment Income Must Be $3,400 or Less.

Reminders

Valid SSN required by due date of return. If you didn't have a social security number (SSN) by the due date of your 2016 return (including extensions), you can't claim the EIC on either your original or an amended 2016 return, even if you later get an SSN. Also, if a child didn't have an SSN by the due date of your return (including extensions), you can't count that child as a qualifying child in figuring the EIC on either your original or an amended 2016 return, even if that child later gets an SSN.

Increased EIC on certain joint returns. A married person filing a joint return may get more EIC than someone with the same income but a different filing status. As a result, the EIC table has different columns for married persons filing jointly than for everyone else. When you look up your EIC in the EIC Table, be sure to use the correct column for your filing status and the number of children you have.

Earned income credit has no effect on certain welfare benefits. Any refund you receive because of the EIC cannot be counted as income when determining whether you or anyone else is eligible for benefits or assistance, or how much you or anyone else can receive, under any federal program or under any state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds. These programs include the following.

Don't overlook your state credit. If you can claim the EIC on your federal income tax return, you may be able to take a similar credit on your state or local income tax return. For a list of states that offer a state EIC, go to http://www.irs.gov/eitc.

EIC questioned by IRS. The IRS may ask you to provide documents to prove you are entitled to claim the EIC. We will tell you what documents to send us. These may include: birth certificates, school records, etc. The process of establishing your eligibility will delay your refund.

Spanish version of Publication 596. Publicación 596SP, Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo, is a Spanish translation of Pub. 596. Go to http://www.irs.gov/pub596sp. Or see Ordering forms and publications or How To Get Tax Help, later, to find out how to order this and other IRS forms and publications.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

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1. Rules for Everyone

This chapter discusses Rules 1 through 7. You must meet all seven rules to qualify for the earned income credit. If you don't meet all seven rules, you cannot get the credit and you don't need to read the rest of the publication.

If you meet all seven rules in this chapter, then read either chapter 2 or chapter 3 (whichever applies) for more rules you must meet.

Rule 1--Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Limits

Your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be less than:

If your AGI is equal to or more than the applicable limit listed above, you cannot claim the EIC. You don't need to read the rest of this publication.

Example--AGI is more than limit. Your AGI is $39,550, you are single, and you have one qualifying child. You cannot claim the EIC because your AGI isn't less than $39,296. However, if your filing status was married filing jointly, you might be able to claim the EIC because your AGI is less than $44,846.

Community property. If you are married, but qualify to file as head of household under special rules for married taxpayers living apart (see Rule 3), and live in a state that has community property laws, your AGI includes that portion of both your and your spouse's wages that you are required to include in gross income. This is different from the community property rules that apply under Rule 7.

Rule 2--You Must Have a Valid Social Security Number (SSN)

To claim the EIC, you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) must have a valid SSN issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) by the due date of your 2016 return (including extensions). Any qualifying child listed on Schedule EIC also must have a valid SSN by the due date of your 2016 return (including extensions). (See Rule 8 if you have a qualifying child.)

If your social security card (or your spouse's, if filing a joint return) says "Not valid for employment" and your SSN was issued so that you (or your spouse) could get a federally funded benefit, you cannot get the EIC. An example of a federally funded benefit is Medicaid. If you have a card with the legend "Not valid for employment" and your immigration status has changed so that you are now a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ask the SSA for a new social security card without the legend.

U.S. citizen. If you were a U.S. citizen when you received your SSN, you have a valid SSN.

Valid for work only with INS authorization or DHS authorization. If your social security card reads "Valid for work only with INS authorization" or "Valid for work only with DHS authorization," you have a valid SSN, but only if that authorization is still valid.

SSN missing or incorrect. If an SSN for you or your spouse is missing from your tax return or is incorrect, you may not get the EIC.

If an SSN for you or your spouse is missing from your return because either you or your spouse didn't have a valid SSN by the due date of your 2016 return (including extensions) and you later get a valid SSN, you cannot file an amended return to claim the EIC.

Other taxpayer identification number. You cannot get the EIC if, instead of an SSN, you (or your spouse, if filing a joint return) have an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). ITINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service to noncitizens who cannot get an SSN.

No SSN. If you don't have a valid SSN by the due date of your 2016 return (including extensions), put "No" next to line 66a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ). You cannot claim the EIC on either your original or an amended 2016 return.

Getting an SSN. If you (or your spouse, if filing a joint return) don't have an SSN, you can apply for one by filing Form SS-5 with the SSA. You can get Form SS-5 online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov, from your local SSA office, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Filing deadline approaching and still no SSN. If the filing deadline is approaching and you still don't have an SSN, you can request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return. You can get this extension by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. For more information, see the instructions for Form 4868. Instead of filing Form 4868, you can apply for an automatic extension by making an electronic payment by the due date of your return.

Rule 3--Your Filing Status Cannot Be "Married Filing Separately"

If you are married, you usually must file a joint return to claim the EIC. Your filing status cannot be "Married filing separately."

Spouse did not live with you. If you are married and your spouse did not live in your home at any time during the last 6 months of the year, you may be able to file as head of household, instead of married filing separately. In that case, you may be able to claim the EIC. For detailed information about filing as head of household, see Pub. 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.

Rule 4--You Must Be a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien All Year

If you (or your spouse, if married) were a nonresident alien for any part of the year, you cannot claim the earned income credit unless your filing status is married filing jointly. You can use that filing status only if one spouse is a U.S. citizen or resident alien and you choose to treat the nonresident spouse as a U.S. resident. If you make this choice, you and your spouse are taxed on your worldwide income. If you need more information on making this choice, get Pub. 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. If you (or your spouse, if married) were a nonresident alien for any part of the year and your filing status isn't married filing jointly, enter "No" on the dotted line next to line 66a (Form 1040) or in the space to the left of line 42a (Form 1040A).

Rule 5--You Cannot File Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ

You cannot claim the earned income credit if you file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income, or Form 2555-EZ, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. You file these forms to exclude income earned in foreign countries from your gross income, or to deduct or exclude a foreign housing amount. U.S. possessions aren't foreign countries. See Pub. 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, for more detailed information.

Rule 6--Your Investment Income Must Be $3,400 or Less

You cannot claim the earned income credit unless your investment income is $3,400 or less. If your investment income is more than $3,400, you cannot claim the credit.

Form 1040EZ. If you file Form 1040EZ, your investment income is the total of the amount on line 2 and the amount of any tax-exempt interest you wrote to the right of the words "Form 1040EZ" on line 2.

Form 1040A. If you file Form 1040A, your investment income is the total of the amounts on lines 8a (taxable interest), 8b (tax-exempt interest), 9a (ordinary dividends), and 10 (capital gain distributions) on that form.

Form 1040. If you file Form 1040, use Worksheet 1 in this chapter to figure your investment income.

Worksheet 1. Investment Income If You Are Filing Form 1040

 Keep for Your Records

 Keep for Your Records

Rule 7--You Must Have Earned Income

This credit is called the "earned income" credit because, to qualify, you must work and have earned income. If you are married and file a joint return, you meet this rule if at least one spouse works and has earned income. If you are an employee, earned income includes all the taxable income you get from your employer.

Rule 15 has information that will help you figure the amount of your earned income. If you are self-employed or a statutory employee, you will figure your earned income on EIC Worksheet B in the Form 1040 instructions.

Earned Income

Earned income includes all of the following types of income.

Nontaxable combat pay election. You can elect to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the earned income credit. The amount of your nontaxable combat pay should be shown on your Form W-2, in box 12, with code Q. Electing to include nontaxable combat pay in earned income may increase or decrease your EIC. For details, see Nontaxable combat pay in chapter 4.

Net earnings from self-employment. You may have net earnings from self-employment if:

Statutory employee. You are a statutory employee if you receive a Form W-2 on which the "Statutory employee" box (box 13) is checked. You report your income and expenses as a statutory employee on Schedule C or C-EZ (Form 1040).

Strike benefits. Strike benefits paid by a union to its members are earned income.

Approved Form 4361 or Form 4029

This section is for persons who have an approved:

Form 4361. Whether or not you have an approved Form 4361, amounts you received for performing ministerial duties as an employee count as earned income. This includes wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee compensation.

If you have an approved Form 4361, a nontaxable housing allowance or the nontaxable rental value of a home isn't earned income. Also, amounts you received for performing ministerial duties, but not as an employee, don't count as earned income. Examples include fees for performing marriages and honoraria for delivering speeches.

Form 4029. Whether or not you have an approved Form 4029, all wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee compensation count as earned income. However, amounts you received as a self-employed individual don't count as earned income. Also, in figuring earned income, don't subtract losses on Schedule C, C-EZ, or F from wages on line 7 of Form 1040.

Disability Benefits

If you retired on disability, taxable benefits you receive under your employer's disability retirement plan are considered earned income until you reach minimum retirement age. Minimum retirement age generally is the earliest age at which you could have received a pension or annuity if you were not disabled. You must report your taxable disability payments on line 7 of either Form 1040A until you reach minimum retirement age.

Beginning on the day after you reach minimum retirement age, payments you receive are taxable as a pension and aren't considered earned income. Report taxable pension payments on Form 1040, lines 16a and 16b, or Form 1040A, lines 12a and 12b.

Disability insurance payments. Payments you received from a disability insurance policy that you paid the premiums for aren't earned income. It doesn't matter whether you have reached minimum retirement age. If this policy is through your employer, the amount may be shown in box 12 of your Form W-2 with code J.

Income That Is Not Earned Income

Examples of items that aren't earned income include interest and dividends, pensions and annuities, social security and railroad retirement benefits (including disability benefits), alimony and child support, welfare benefits, workers' compensation benefits, unemployment compensation (insurance), nontaxable foster care payments, and veterans' benefits, including VA rehabilitation payments. Do not include any of these items in your earned income.

Earnings while an inmate. Amounts received for work performed while an inmate in a penal institution aren't earned income when figuring the earned income credit. This includes amounts for work performed while in a work release program or while in a halfway house.

Workfare payments. Nontaxable workfare payments aren't earned income for the EIC. These are cash payments certain people receive from a state or local agency that administers public assistance programs funded under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in return for certain work activities such as (1) work experience activities (including remodeling or repairing public housing) if sufficient private sector employment isn't available, or (2) community service program activities.

Community property. If you are married, but qualify to file as head of household under special rules for married taxpayers living apart (see Rule 3), and live in a state that has community property laws, your earned income for the EIC doesn't include any amount earned by your spouse that is treated as belonging to you under those laws. That amount isn't earned income for the EIC, even though you must include it in your gross income on your income tax return. Your earned income includes the entire amount you earned, even if part of it is treated as belonging to your spouse under your state's community property laws.

Nevada, Washington, and California domestic partners. If you are a registered domestic partner in Nevada, Washington, or California, the same rules apply. Your earned income for the EIC doesn't include any amount earned by your partner. Your earned income includes the entire amount you earned. For details, see Pub. 555.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments. If you were receiving social security retirement benefits or social security disability benefits at the time you received any CRP payments, your CRP payments aren't earned income for the EIC.

Nontaxable military pay. Nontaxable pay for members of the Armed Forces isn't considered earned income for the EIC. Examples of nontaxable military pay are combat pay, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). See Pub. 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide, for more information.

TIP: Combat pay. You can elect to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the EIC. See Nontaxable combat pay in chapter 4.

2. Rules If You Have a Qualifying Child

If you have met all the rules in chapter 1, use this chapter to see if you have a qualifying child. This chapter discusses Rules 8 through 10. You must meet all three of those rules, in addition to the rules in chapters 1 and 4, to qualify for the earned income credit with a qualifying child.

You must file Form 1040A to claim the EIC with a qualifying child. (You cannot file Form 1040EZ.) You also must complete Schedule EIC and attach it to your return. If you meet all the rules in chapter 1 and this chapter, read chapter 4 to find out what to do next.

No qualifying child. If you don't meet Rule 8, you don't have a qualifying child. Read chapter 3 to find out if you can get the earned income credit without a qualifying child.

Rule 8--Your Child Must Meet the Relationship, Age, Residency, and Joint Return Tests

Your child is a qualifying child if your child meets four tests. The four tests are:

Relationship Test

To be your qualifying child, a child must be your:

Adopted child. An adopted child is always treated as your own child. The term "adopted child" includes a child who was lawfully placed with you for legal adoption.

Foster child. For the EIC, a person is your foster child if the child is placed with you by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree, or other order of any court of competent jurisdiction. An authorized placement agency includes:

Age Test

Your child must be:

Example 1--Child not under age 19. Your son turned 19 on December 10. Unless he was permanently and totally disabled or a student, he isn't a qualifying child because, at the end of the year, he was not under age 19.

Example 2--Child not younger than you or your spouse. Your 23-year-old brother, who is a full-time student and unmarried, lives with you and your spouse. He isn't disabled. Both you and your spouse are 21 years old, and you file a joint return. Your brother isn't your qualifying child because he isn't younger than you or your spouse.

Example 3--Child younger than your spouse but not younger than you. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except that your spouse is 25 years old. Because your brother is younger than your spouse, he is your qualifying child, even though he isn't younger than you.

Student defined. To qualify as a student, your child must be, during some part of each of any 5 calendar months during the calendar year:

Figure A. Tests for Qualifying Child

 Caution: Figure A is an overview of the tests to claim a qualifying

School defined. A school can be an elementary school, junior or senior high school, college, university, or technical, trade, or mechanical school. However, on-the-job training courses, correspondence schools, and schools offering courses only through the Internet don't count as schools for the EIC.

Vocational high school students. Students who work in co-op jobs in private industry as a part of a school's regular course of classroom and practical training are considered full-time students.

Permanently and totally disabled. Your child is permanently and totally disabled if both of the following apply.

Substantial gainful activity isn't work done to take care of yourself or your home. It isn't unpaid work on hobbies, institutional therapy or training, school attendance, clubs, social programs, and similar activities. However, doing this kind of work may show that the child is able to engage in substantial gainful activity.

The fact that the child has not worked for some time doesn't, by itself, prove the child cannot engage in substantial gainful activity.

For examples of substantial gainful activity, see Pub. 524.

Residency Test

Your child must have lived with you in the United States for more than half of 2016.

CAUTION: You can't claim the EIC for a child who didn't live with you for more than half of the year, even if you paid most of the child's living expenses. The IRS may ask you for documents to show you lived with each qualifying child. Documents you might want to keep for this purpose include school and child care records and other records that show your child's address.

The following paragraphs clarify the residency test.

United States. This means the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It doesn't include Puerto Rico or U.S. possessions such as Guam.

Homeless shelter. Your home can be any location where you regularly live. You don't need a traditional home. For example, if your child lived with you for more than half the year in one or more homeless shelters, your child meets the residency test.

Military personnel stationed outside the United States. U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States on extended active duty are considered to live in the United States during that duty period for purposes of the EIC.

Extended active duty. Extended active duty means you are called or ordered to duty for an indefinite period or for a period of more than 90 days. Once you begin serving your extended active duty, you are still considered to have been on extended active duty even if you don't serve more than 90 days.

Birth or death of child. A child who was born or died in 2016 is treated as having lived with you for more than half of 2016 if your home was the child's home for more than half the time he or she was alive in 2016.

Temporary absences. Count time that you or your child is away from home on a temporary absence due to a special circumstance as time the child lived with you. Examples of a special circumstance include illness, school attendance, business, vacation, military service, and detention in a juvenile facility.

Kidnapped child. A kidnapped child is treated as living with you for more than half of the year if the child lived with you for more than half the part of the year before the date of the kidnapping. The child must be presumed by law enforcement authorities to have been kidnapped by someone who isn't a member of your family or the child's family. This treatment applies for all years until the child is returned. However, the last year this treatment can apply is the earlier of:

Joint Return Test

To meet this test, the child cannot file a joint return for the year.

Exception. An exception to the joint return test applies if your child and his or her spouse file a joint return only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.

Example 1--Child files joint return. You supported your 18-year-old daughter, and she lived with you all year while her husband was in the Armed Forces. He earned $25,000 for the year. The couple files a joint return. Because your daughter and her husband file a joint return, she isn't your qualifying child.

Example 2--Child files joint return to get refund of tax withheld. Your 18-year-old son and his 17-year-old wife had $800 of wages from part-time jobs and no other income. They don't have a child. Neither is required to file a tax return. Taxes were taken out of their pay, so they file a joint return only to get a refund of the withheld taxes. The exception to the joint return test applies, so your son may be your qualifying child if all the other tests are met.

Example 3--Child files joint return to claim American opportunity credit. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except no taxes were taken out of your son's pay. He and his wife aren't required to file a tax return, but they file a joint return to claim an American opportunity credit of $124 and get a refund of that amount. Because claiming the American opportunity credit is their reason for filing the return, they aren't filing it only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid. The exception to the joint return test doesn't apply, so your son isn't your qualifying child.

Married child. Even if your child doesn't file a joint return, if your child was married at the end of the year, he or she cannot be your qualifying child unless:

Rule 9--Your Qualifying Child Cannot Be Used by More Than One Person To Claim the EIC

Sometimes a child meets the tests to be a qualifying child of more than one person. However, only one of these persons can actually treat the child as a qualifying child. Only that person can use the child as a qualifying child to take all of the following tax benefits (provided the person is eligible for each benefit).

The tiebreaker rules, which follow, explain who, if anyone, can claim the EIC when more than one person has the same qualifying child. However, the tiebreaker rules don't apply if the other person is your spouse and you file a joint return.

Tiebreaker rules. To determine which person can treat the child as a qualifying child to claim the six tax benefits just listed, the following tiebreaker rules apply.

If you cannot claim the EIC because your qualifying child is treated under the tiebreaker rules as the qualifying child of another person for 2016, you may be able to take the EIC using a different qualifying child, but you cannot take the EIC using the rules in chapter 3 for people who don't have a qualifying child.

If the other person cannot claim the EIC. If you and someone else have the same qualifying child but the other person cannot claim the EIC because he or she isn't eligible or his or her earned income or AGI is too high, you may be able to treat the child as a qualifying child. See Examples 6 and 7. But you cannot treat the child as a qualifying child to claim the EIC if the other person uses the child to claim any of the other six tax benefits listed earlier in this chapter.

Examples. The following examples may help you in determining whether you can claim the EIC when you and someone else have the same qualifying child.

Example 1--Child lived with parent and grandparent. You and your 2-year-old son Jimmy lived with your mother all year. You are 25 years old, unmarried, and your AGI is $9,000. Your only income was $9,000 from a part-time job. Your mother's only income was $20,000 from her job, and her AGI is $20,000. Jimmy's father did not live with you or Jimmy. The special rule explained later for divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart) doesn't apply. Jimmy is a qualifying child of both you and your mother because he meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and your mother. However, only one of you can treat him as a qualifying child to claim the EIC (and the other tax benefits listed earlier in this chapter for which that person qualifies). He isn't a qualifying child of anyone else, including his father. If you don't claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can treat him as a qualifying child to claim the EIC (and any of the other tax benefits listed earlier for which she qualifies).

Example 2--Parent has higher AGI than grandparent. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except your AGI is $25,000. Because your mother's AGI isn't higher than yours, she cannot claim Jimmy as a qualifying child. Only you can claim him.

Example 3--Two persons claim same child. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you and your mother both claim Jimmy as a qualifying child. In this case, you as the child's parent will be the only one allowed to claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC and the other tax benefits listed earlier for which you qualify. The IRS will disallow your mother's claim to the EIC and any of the other tax benefits listed earlier unless she has another qualifying child.

Example 4--Qualifying children split between two persons. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you also have two other young children who are qualifying children of both you and your mother. Only one of you can claim each child. However, if your mother's AGI is higher than yours, you can allow your mother to claim one or more of the children. For example, if you claim one child, your mother can claim the other two.

Example 5--Taxpayer who is a qualifying child. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you are only 18 years old. This means you are a qualifying child of your mother. Because of Rule 10, discussed next, you cannot claim the EIC and cannot claim your son as a qualifying child. Only your mother may be able to treat Jimmy as a qualifying child to claim the EIC. If your mother meets all the other requirements for claiming the EIC and you don't claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can claim both you and Jimmy as qualifying children for the EIC.

Example 6--Grandparent with too much earned income to claim EIC. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that your mother earned $50,000 from her job. Because your mother's earned income is too high for her to claim the EIC, only you can claim the EIC using your son.

Example 7--Parent with too much earned income to claim EIC. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you earned $50,000 from your job and your AGI is $50,500. Your earned income is too high for you to claim the EIC. But your mother cannot claim the EIC either, because her AGI isn't higher than yours.

Example 8--Child lived with both parents and grandparent. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you and Jimmy's father are married to each other, live with Jimmy and your mother, and have AGI of $30,000 on a joint return. If you and your husband don't claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can claim him instead. Even though the AGI on your joint return, $30,000, is more than your mother's AGI of $20,000, for this purpose half of the joint AGI can be treated as yours and half as your husband's. In other words, each parent's AGI can be treated as $15,000.

Example 9--Separated parents. You, your husband, and your 10-year-old son Joey lived together until August 1, 2016, when your husband moved out of the household. In August and September, Joey lived with you. For the rest of the year, Joey lived with your husband, who is Joey's father. Joey is a qualifying child of both you and your husband because he lived with each of you for more than half the year and because he met the relationship, age, and joint return tests for both of you. At the end of the year, you and your husband still weren't divorced, legally separated, or separated under a written separation agreement, so the Special rule for divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart) doesn't apply.

You and your husband will file separate returns. Your husband agrees to let you treat Joey as a qualifying child. This means, if your husband doesn't claim Joey as a qualifying child for any of the tax benefits listed earlier, you can claim him as a qualifying child for any tax benefit listed earlier for which you qualify. However, your filing status is married filing separately, so you cannot claim the EIC or the credit for child and dependent care expenses. See Rule 3.

Example 10--Separated parents claim same child. The facts are the same as in Example 9 except that you and your husband both claim Joey as a qualifying child. In this case, only your husband will be allowed to treat Joey as a qualifying child. This is because, during 2016, the boy lived with him longer than with you. You cannot claim the EIC (either with or without a qualifying child). However, your husband's filing status is married filing separately, so he cannot claim the EIC or the credit for child and dependent care expenses. See Rule 3.

Example 11--Unmarried parents. You, your 5-year-old son, and your son's father lived together all year. You and your son's father aren't married. Your son is a qualifying child of both you and his father because he meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and his father. Your earned income and AGI are $12,000, and your son's father's earned income and AGI are $14,000. Neither of you had any other income. Your son's father agrees to let you treat the child as a qualifying child. This means, if your son's father doesn't claim your son as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, you can claim him as a qualifying child for the EIC and any of the other tax benefits listed earlier for which you qualify.

Example 12--Unmarried parents claim same child. The facts are the same as in Example 11 except that you and your son's father both claim your son as a qualifying child. In this case, only your son's father will be allowed to treat your son as a qualifying child. This is because his AGI, $14,000, is more than your AGI, $12,000. You cannot claim the EIC (either with or without a qualifying child).

Example 13--Child did not live with a parent. You and your 7-year-old niece, your sister's child, lived with your mother all year. You are 25 years old, and your AGI is $9,300. Your only income was from a part-time job. Your mother's AGI is $15,000. Her only income was from her job. Your niece's parents file jointly, have an AGI of less than $9,000, and don't live with you or their child. Your niece is a qualifying child of both you and your mother because she meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and your mother. However, only your mother can treat her as a qualifying child. This is because your mother's AGI, $15,000, is more than your AGI, $9,300.

Special rule for divorced or separated parents (or parents who live apart). A child will be treated as the qualifying child of his or her noncustodial parent (for purposes of claiming an exemption and the child tax credit, but not for the EIC) if all of the following statements are true.

Rule 10--You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer

You are a qualifying child of another taxpayer (such as your parent, guardian, or foster parent) if all of the following statements are true.

If you are a qualifying child of another taxpayer, you cannot claim the EIC. This is true even if the person for whom you are a qualifying child doesn't claim the EIC or meet all of the rules to claim the EIC. Put "No" beside line 66a (Form 1040A).

Example. You and your daughter lived with your mother all year. You are 22 years old, unmarried, and attended a trade school full time. You had a part-time job and earned $5,700. You had no other income. Because you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests, you are a qualifying child of your mother. She can claim the EIC if she meets all the other requirements. Because you are your mother's qualifying child, you cannot claim the EIC. This is so even if your mother cannot or doesn't claim the EIC.

Child of person not required to file a return. You aren't the qualifying child of another taxpayer (and so may qualify to claim the EIC) if the person for whom you met the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests isn't required to file an income tax return and either:

Example 2--Return filed to get refund of tax withheld. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except your mother had wages of $1,500 and had income tax withheld from her wages. She files a return only to get a refund of the income tax withheld and doesn't claim the EIC or any other tax credits or deductions. As a result, you aren't your mother's qualifying child. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements to do so.

Example 3--Return filed to get EIC. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except your mother claimed the EIC on her return. Since she filed the return to get the EIC, she isn't filing it only to get a refund of income tax withheld. As a result, you are your mother's qualifying child. You cannot claim the EIC.

3. Rules If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Child

Use this chapter if you don't have a qualifying child and have met all the rules in chapter 1. This chapter discusses Rules 11 through 14. You must meet all four of those rules, in addition to the rules in chapters 1 and 4, to qualify for the earned income credit without a qualifying child.

You can file Form 1040EZ to claim the EIC without a qualifying child. If you meet all the rules in chapter 1 and this chapter, read chapter 4 to find out what to do next.

If you have a qualifying child. If you meet Rule 8, you have a qualifying child. If you meet Rule 8 and don't claim the EIC with a qualifying child, you cannot claim the EIC without a qualifying child.

Rule 11--You Must Be at Least Age 25 but Under Age 65

You must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2016. If you are married filing a joint return, either you or your spouse must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2016. It doesn't matter which spouse meets the age test, as long as one of the spouses does.

You meet the age test if you were born after December 31, 1951, and before January 2, 1992. If you are married filing a joint return, you meet the age test if either you or your spouse was born after December 31, 1951, and before January 2, 1992.

If neither you nor your spouse meets the age test, you cannot claim the EIC. Put "No" next to line 66a (Form 1040), line 42a (Form 1040EZ).

Example 1. You are age 28 and unmarried. You meet the age test.

Example 2--Spouse meets age test. You are married and filing a joint return. You are age 23 and your spouse is age 27. You meet the age test because your spouse is at least age 25 but under age 65.

Death of spouse. If you are filing a joint return with your spouse who died in 2016, you meet the age test if your spouse was at least age 25 but under age 65 at the time of death.

Your spouse is considered to reach age 25 on the day before his or her 25th birthday. However, the rule for reaching age 65 is different; your spouse reaches age 65 on his or her 65th birthday.

Even if your spouse was born before January 2, 1992, he or she isn't considered at least age 25 at the end of 2016 unless he or she was at least age 25 at the time of death.

Example 1. You are married and filing a joint return with your spouse who died in August 2016. You are age 67. Your spouse would have become age 65 in November 2016. Because your spouse was under age 65 when she died, you meet the age test.

Example 2. Your spouse was born on February 14, 1991, and died on February 13, 2016. Your spouse is considered age 25 at the time of death. However, if your spouse died on February 12, 2016, your spouse isn't considered age 25 at the time of death and isn't at least age 25 at the end of 2016.

Death of taxpayer. A taxpayer who died in 2016 meets the age test if the taxpayer was at least age 25 but under age 65 at the time of death.

A taxpayer is considered to reach age 25 on the day before his or her 25th birthday. However, the rule for reaching age 65 is different; a taxpayer reaches age 65 on his or her 65th birthday.

Even if the taxpayer was born before January 2, 1992, he or she isn't considered at least age 25 at the end of 2016 unless he or she was at least age 25 at the time of death.

Rule 12--You Cannot Be the Dependent of Another Person

If you aren't filing a joint return, you meet this rule if:

If someone else can claim you as a dependent on his or her return, but doesn't, you still cannot claim the credit.

Example 1. In 2016, you were age 25, single, and living at home with your parents. You worked and weren't a student. You earned $7,500. Your parents cannot claim you as a dependent. When you file your return, you claim an exemption for yourself by not checking the "You" box on line 5 of your Form 1040EZ and by entering $10,350 on that line. You meet this rule. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements.

Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that you earned $2,000. Your parents can claim you as a dependent but decide not to. You don't meet this rule. You cannot claim the credit because your parents could have claimed you as a dependent.

Joint returns. You generally cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person if you are married and file a joint return.

However, another person may be able to claim you as a dependent if you and your spouse file a joint return merely to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid. But neither you nor your spouse can be claimed as a dependent by another person if you claim the EIC on your joint return.

Example 1--Return filed to get refund of tax withheld. You are 26 years old. You and your wife live with your parents and had $800 of wages from part-time jobs and no other income. Neither you nor your wife is required to file a tax return. You don't have a child. Taxes were taken out of your pay so you file a joint return only to get a refund of the withheld taxes. Your parents aren't disqualified from claiming an exemption for you just because you filed a joint return. They can claim exemptions for you and your wife if all the other tests to do so are met.

Example 2--Return filed to get EIC. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except no taxes were taken out of your pay. Also, you and your wife aren't required to file a tax return, but you file a joint return to claim an EIC of $63 and get a refund of that amount. Because claiming the EIC is your reason for filing the return, you aren't filing it only to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid. Your parents cannot claim an exemption for either you or your wife.

Rule 13--You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer

You are a qualifying child of another taxpayer (your parent, guardian, foster parent, etc.) if all of the following statements are true.

If you are a qualifying child of another taxpayer, you cannot claim the EIC. This is true even if the person for whom you are a qualifying child doesn't claim the EIC or meet all of the rules to claim the EIC. Put "No" next to line 66a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ).

Example. You lived with your mother all year. You are age 26, unmarried, and permanently and totally disabled. Your only income was from a community center where you went three days a week to answer telephones. You earned $5,000 for the year and provided more than half of your own support. Because you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests, you are a qualifying child of your mother for the EIC. She can claim the EIC if she meets all the other requirements. Because you are a qualifying child of your mother, you cannot claim the EIC. This is so even if your mother cannot or doesn't claim the EIC.

Joint returns. You generally cannot be a qualifying child of another taxpayer if you are married and file a joint return.

However, you may be a qualifying child of another taxpayer if you and your spouse file a joint return merely to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid. But neither you nor your spouse can be a qualifying child of another taxpayer if you claim the EIC on your joint return.

Child of person not required to file a return. You aren't the qualifying child of another taxpayer (and so may qualify to claim the EIC) if the person for whom you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests isn't required to file an income tax return and either:

Example 2--Return filed to get refund of tax withheld. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except your father had wages of $1,500 and had income tax withheld from his wages. He files a return only to get a refund of the income tax withheld and doesn't claim the EIC or any other tax credits or deductions. As a result, you aren't your father's qualifying child. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements to do so.

Example 3--Return filed to get EIC. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except your father claimed the EIC on his return. Since he filed the return to get the EIC, he isn't filing it only to get a refund of income tax withheld. As a result, you are your father's qualifying child. You cannot claim the EIC.

Rule 14--You Must Have Lived in the United States More Than Half of the Year

Your home (and your spouse's, if filing a joint return) must have been in the United States for more than half the year.

If it wasn't, put "No" next to line 66a (Form 1040), line 42a (Form 1040EZ).

United States. This means the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It doesn't include Puerto Rico or U.S. possessions such as Guam.

Homeless shelter. Your home can be any location where you regularly live. You don't need a traditional home. If you lived in one or more homeless shelters in the United States for more than half the year, you meet this rule.

Military personnel stationed outside the United States. U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States on extended active duty (defined in chapter 2) are considered to live in the United States during that duty period for purposes of the EIC.

4. Figuring and Claiming the EIC

You must meet one more rule to claim the EIC.

You need to know the amount of your earned income to see if you meet the rule in this chapter. You also need to know that amount to figure your EIC.

Rule 15--Earned Income Limits

Your earned income must be less than:

Earned income generally means wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee pay, and net earnings from self-employment. Employee pay is earned income only if it is taxable. Nontaxable employee pay, such as certain dependent care benefits and adoption benefits, isn't earned income. But there is an exception for nontaxable combat pay, which you can choose to include in earned income. Earned income is explained in detail in Rule 7 in chapter 1.

Figuring earned income. If you are self-employed, a statutory employee, or a member of the clergy or a church employee who files Schedule SE (Form 1040), you will figure your earned income when you fill out Part 4 of EIC Worksheet B in the Form 1040 instructions.

Otherwise, figure your earned income by using the worksheet in Step 5 of the Form 1040 instructions for lines 66a and 66b or the Form 1040A instructions for lines 42a and 42b, or the worksheet in Step 2 of the Form 1040EZ instructions for lines 8a and 8b.

When using one of those worksheets to figure your earned income, you will start with the amount on line 7 (Form 1040EZ). You will then reduce that amount by any amount included on that line and described in the following list.

Church employees. A church employee means an employee (other than a minister or member of a religious order) of a church or qualified church-controlled organization that is exempt from employer social security and Medicare taxes. If you received wages as a church employee and included any amount on both line 5a of Schedule SE and line 7 (Form 1040), subtract that amount from the amount on line 7 (Form 1040) and enter the result on line 1 of the worksheet in Step 5 of the Form 1040 instructions for lines 66a and 66b.

Nontaxable combat pay. You can elect to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the earned income credit. If you make the election, you must include in earned income all nontaxable combat pay you received.

If you are filing a joint return and both you and your spouse received nontaxable combat pay, you can each make your own election. In other words, if one of you makes the election, the other one can also make it but doesn't have to.

The amount of your nontaxable combat pay should be shown on your Form W-2 in box 12 with code Q.

Electing to include nontaxable combat pay in earned income may increase or decrease your EIC. Figure the credit with and without your nontaxable combat pay before making the election. Whether the election increases or decreases your EIC depends on your total earned income, filing status, and number of qualifying children. If your earned income without your combat pay is less than the amount shown below for your number of children, you may benefit from electing to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income and you should figure the credit both ways. If your earned income without your combat pay is equal to or more than these amounts, you will not benefit from including your combat pay in your earned income.

Example 1--Election increases the EIC. George and Janice are married and will file a joint return. They have one qualifying child. George was in the military and earned $15,000 ($5,000 taxable wages + $10,000 nontaxable combat pay). Janice worked part of the year and earned $2,000. Their taxable earned income and AGI are $7,000. George and Janice qualify for the EIC and fill out the EIC Worksheet and Schedule EIC.

When they complete the EIC Worksheet without adding the nontaxable combat pay to their earned income, they find their credit to be $2,389. When they complete the EIC Worksheet with the nontaxable combat pay added to their earned income, they find their credit to be $3,373. Because making the election will increase their EIC, they elect to add the nontaxable combat pay to their earned income for the EIC. They enter $3,373 on line 42a of their Form 1040A and enter the amount of their nontaxable combat pay on line 42b.

Example 2--Election doesn't increase the EIC. The facts are the same as Example 1 except George had nontaxable combat pay of $24,000. When George and Janice add their nontaxable combat pay to their earned income, they find their credit to be $2,209. Because the credit they can get if they don't add the nontaxable combat pay to their earned income is $2,389, they decide not to make the election. They enter $2,389 on line 42a of their Form 1040A.

IRS Will Figure the EIC for You

The IRS will figure your EIC for you if you follow the instructions in Figure B.

CAUTION: Please don't ask the IRS to figure your EIC unless you are eligible for it. To be eligible, you must meet Rule 15 in this chapter as well as the rules in chapter 1 and either chapter 2 or chapter 3, whichever applies to you. If your credit was reduced or disallowed for any year after 1996, the rules in chapter 5 may apply as well.

TIP: If you want the IRS to figure your income tax, see chapter 30 of Pub. 17, Your Federal Income Tax.

How To Figure the EIC Yourself

To figure the EIC yourself, use the EIC Worksheet in the instructions for the form you are using (Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ). If you have a qualifying child, complete Schedule EIC (discussed later in this chapter) and attach it to your tax return.

If you want the IRS to figure your EIC for you, see IRS Will Figure the EIC for You, earlier.

Special Instructions for Form 1040 Filers

If you file Form 1040, you will need to decide whether to use EIC Worksheet A or EIC Worksheet B to figure the amount of your EIC. This section explains how to use these worksheets and how to report the EIC on your return.

EIC Worksheet A. Use EIC Worksheet A if you were not self-employed at any time in 2016 and aren't a member of the clergy, a church employee who files Schedule SE, or a statutory employee filing Schedule C or C-EZ.

EIC Worksheet B. Use EIC Worksheet B if you were self-employed at any time in 2016 or are a member of the clergy, a church employee who files Schedule SE, or a statutory employee filing Schedule C or C-EZ. If any of the following situations apply to you, read the paragraph and then complete EIC Worksheet B.

Net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, be sure to correctly fill out Schedule SE (Form 1040) and pay the proper amount of self-employment tax. If you don't, you may not get all the EIC you are entitled to.

CAUTION: When figuring your net earnings from self-employment, you must claim all your allowable business expenses.

When both spouses have self-employment income. You must complete both Parts 1 and 2 of EIC Worksheet B if all of the following conditions apply to you.

Schedule EIC

You must complete Schedule EIC and attach it to your tax return if you have a qualifying child and are claiming the EIC. Schedule EIC provides the IRS with information about your qualifying children, including their names, ages, SSNs, relationship to you, and the amount of time they lived with you during the year. An example of a filled-in Schedule EIC is shown in chapter 6.

CAUTION: If you are required to complete and attach Schedule EIC but don't, it will take longer to process your return and issue your refund.

5. Disallowance of the EIC

CAUTION: If your earned income credit (EIC) for any year after 1996 was denied (disallowed) or reduced by the IRS, you may need to complete an additional form to claim the credit for 2016.

This chapter is for people whose earned income credit (EIC) for any year after 1996 was denied or reduced by the IRS. If this applies to you, you may need to complete Form 8862, Information To Claim Earned Income Credit After Disallowance, and attach it to your 2016 return to claim the credit for 2016. This chapter explains when you need to attach Form 8862. For more information, see Form 8862 and its instructions.

This chapter also explains the rules for certain people who cannot claim the EIC for a period of years after their EIC was denied or reduced.

Form 8862

If your EIC for any year after 1996 was denied or reduced for any reason other than a math or clerical error, you must attach a completed Form 8862 to your next tax return to claim the EIC. You must also qualify to claim the EIC by meeting all the rules described in this publication.

Exception 1. Don't file Form 8862 if either (1) or (2) below is true.

Exception 2. Don't file Form 8862 or take the EIC for:

The date on which your EIC was denied and the date on which you file your 2016 return affect whether you need to attach Form 8862 to your 2016 return or to a later return. The following examples demonstrate whether Form 8862 is required for 2016 or 2017.

Example 1--Form 8862 required for 2016. You filed your 2015 tax return in March 2016 and claimed the EIC with a qualifying child. The IRS questioned the EIC, and you were unable to prove the child was a qualifying child. In September 2016, you received a statutory notice of deficiency telling you that an adjustment would be made and tax assessed unless you filed a petition with the Tax Court within 90 days. You didn't act on this notice within 90 days. Therefore, your EIC was denied in December 2016. To claim the EIC with a qualifying child on your 2016 return, you must complete and attach Form 8862 to that return. However, to claim the EIC without a qualifying child on your 2016 return, you don't need to file Form 8862.

Example 2--Form 8862 required for 2017. The facts are the same as in the previous example except that you received the statutory notice of deficiency in February 2017. Because the 90-day period referred to in the statutory notice isn't over when you are ready to file your return for 2016, you shouldn't attach Form 8862 to your 2016 return. However, to claim the EIC with a qualifying child for 2017, you must complete and attach Form 8862 to your return for that year. To claim the EIC without a qualifying child for 2017, you don't need to file Form 8862.

Exception for math or clerical errors. If your EIC was denied or reduced as a result of a math or clerical error, don't attach Form 8862 to your next tax return. For example, if your arithmetic is incorrect, the IRS can correct it. If you don't provide a correct social security number, the IRS can deny the EIC. These kinds of errors are called math or clerical errors.

Omission of Form 8862. If you are required to attach Form 8862 to your 2016 tax return, and you claim the EIC without attaching a completed Form 8862, your claim will be automatically denied. This is considered a math or clerical error. You won't be permitted to claim the EIC without a completed Form 8862.

Additional documents may be required. You may have to provide the IRS with additional documents or information before a refund relating to the EIC you claim is released to you, even if you attach a properly completed Form 8862 to your return.

Are You Prohibited From Claiming the EIC for a Period of Years?

If your EIC for any year after 1996 was denied and it was determined that your error was due to reckless or intentional disregard of the EIC rules, then you cannot claim the EIC for the next 2 years. If your error was due to fraud, then you cannot claim the EIC for the next 10 years. The date on which your EIC was denied and the date on which you file your 2016 return affect the years for which you are prohibited from claiming the EIC. The following examples demonstrate which years you are prohibited from claiming the EIC.

Example 3--Cannot claim EIC for 2 years. You claimed the EIC on your 2015 tax return, which you filed in March 2016. The IRS determined you weren't entitled to the EIC and that your error was due to reckless or intentional disregard of the EIC rules. In September 2016, you received a statutory notice of deficiency telling you an adjustment would be made and tax assessed unless you filed a petition with the Tax Court within 90 days. You didn't act on this notice within 90 days. Therefore, your EIC was denied in December 2016. You cannot claim the EIC for tax year 2016 or 2017. To claim the EIC on your return for 2018, you must complete and attach Form 8862 to your return for that year.

Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that your 2015 EIC was not denied until after you filed your 2016 return. You cannot claim the EIC for tax year 2017 or 2018. To claim the EIC on your return for 2019 you must complete and attach Form 8862 to your return for that year.

Example 5--Cannot claim EIC for 10 years. You claimed the EIC on your 2015 tax return, which you filed in February 2016. The IRS determined you weren't entitled to the EIC and that your error was due to fraud. In September 2016, you received a statutory notice of deficiency telling you an adjustment would be made and tax assessed unless you filed a petition with the Tax Court within 90 days. You didn't act on this notice within 90 days. Therefore, your EIC was denied in December 2016. You cannot claim the EIC for tax years 2016 through 2025. To claim the EIC on your return for 2026, you must complete and attach Form 8862 to your return for that year.

6. Detailed Examples

The next few pages contain two detailed examples (with a filled-in Schedule EIC and EIC Worksheet) that may be helpful if you have questions about claiming the EIC.

Example 1--Sharon Rose

Sharon Rose is age 63 and retired. She received $7,000 in social security benefits during the year and $9,000 from a part-time job. She also received a taxable pension of $6,400. Sharon had no other income. Her AGI on line 22 of Form 1040A is $15,400 ($9,000 + $6,400).

Sharon isn't married and lived alone in the United States for the entire year. She cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else's return. She doesn't have any investment income and doesn't have a qualifying child.

Sharon reads the steps for eligibility in her Form 1040A instructions. In Step 1 she discovers that, because her AGI ($15,400) isn't less than $14,880, she cannot take the EIC. She completes the rest of her Form 1040A and files it with the IRS.

Example 2--Cynthia and Jerry Grey

Cynthia and Jerry Grey have two children, Kirk, age 9, and Susanne, age 7. The children lived with Cynthia and Jerry for all of 2016. Cynthia earned wages of $15,000 and Jerry had wages of $10,000. The Greys received $525 in interest on their savings account. They had no other income in 2016.

Cynthia and Jerry have the 2016 Form 1040A and instructions. They want to see if they qualify for the EIC, so they follow the steps in the instructions for lines 42a and 42b.

Step 1. The amount Cynthia and Jerry entered on Form 1040A, line 22, was $25,525. They both have valid social security numbers (SSNs), which they have had for many years. They will file a joint return. Neither Cynthia nor Jerry is a nonresident alien. Therefore, the answers they give to the questions in Step 1 allow them to proceed to Step 2.

Step 2. The only investment income the Greys have is their $525 interest income. That amount isn't more than $3,400, so they answer "No" to the second question in Step 2 and go to Step 3.

Step 3. Their children, Kirk and Susanne, meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests to be Cynthia and Jerry's qualifying children, so Cynthia and Jerry answer "Yes" to the first question in Step 3. Kirk and Susanne aren't qualifying children of anyone else. Both children have valid SSNs, which they got soon after birth. Cynthia and Jerry are filing a joint return, so they answer "Yes" to the second question in Step 3. This means they can skip question 3 and Step 4 and go to Step 5.

Step 5. Cynthia and Jerry figure their earned income to be $25,000, the amount of their combined wages. This is less than $50,198, so they go to Step 6 to figure their credit.

Step 6. Cynthia and Jerry want to figure their EIC themselves, so they complete the EIC Worksheet in the Form 1040A instructions (shown later).

Completing the EIC Worksheet. Cynthia and Jerry complete their worksheet as follows.

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Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet -- Lines 42a and 42b

 Keep for Your Records

If you have questions about a tax issue, need help preparing your tax return, or want to download free publications, forms, or instructions, go to IRS.gov and find resources that can help you right away.

Preparing and filing your tax return. Find free options to prepare and file your return on IRS.gov or in your local community if you qualify.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older. TCE volunteers specialize in answering questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

You can go to IRS.gov and click on the Filing tab to see your options for preparing and filing your return which include the following.

Using direct deposit. The fastest way to receive a tax refund is to combine direct deposit and IRS e-file. Direct deposit securely and electronically transfers your refund directly into your financial account. Eight in 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their refund. IRS issues more than 90% of refunds in less than 21 days.

Delayed refund for returns claiming certain credits. Due to changes in the law, the IRS can't issue refunds before February 15, 2017, for returns that claim the earned income credit (EIC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these credits.

Getting a transcript or copy of a return. The quickest way to get a copy of your tax transcript is to go to IRS.gov/transcripts. Click on either "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail" to order a copy of your transcript. If you prefer, you can:

Understanding an IRS notice or letter. Go to IRS.gov/notices to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter.

Contacting your local IRS office. Keep in mind, many questions can be resolved on IRS.gov without visiting an IRS Tax Assistance Center (TAC). Go to IRS.gov/letushelp for the topics people ask about most. If you still need help, IRS TACs provide tax help when a tax issue can't be handled online or by phone. All TACs now provide service by appointment so you'll know in advance that you can get the service you need without waiting. Before you visit, go to IRS.gov/taclocator to find the nearest TAC, check hours, available services, and appointment options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connected tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on "Local Offices."

Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal (IRSvideos.gov) contains video and audio presentations for individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals.

Getting tax information in other languages. For taxpayers whose native language isn't English, we have the following resources available. Taxpayers can find information on IRS.gov in the following languages.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service Is Here To Help You

What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

What Can the Taxpayer Advocate Service Do For You?

We can help you resolve problems that you can't resolve with the IRS. And our service is free. If you qualify for our assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will work with you throughout the process and will do everything possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you if:

We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Your local advocate's number is in your local directory and at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. You can also call us at 1-877-777-4778.

How Can You Learn About Your Taxpayer Rights?

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes 10 basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Our Tax Toolkit at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov can help you understand what these rights mean to you and how they apply. These are your rights. Know them. Use them.

How Else Does the Taxpayer Advocate Service Help Taxpayers?

TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to us at IRS.gov/sams.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) serve individuals whose income is below a certain level and need to resolve tax problems such as audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes. Some clinics can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. To find a clinic near you, visit IRS.gov/litc or see IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.

EIC Eligibility Checklist

 Keep for Your Records

Caution. This is not a tax table.

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