Earned Income Tax Credit
EITC - Tools and Resources
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC or EIC, is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may give you a refund.
Income Limits and Table
See the EITC Income Limits, Maximum Credit Amounts and Tax Law Updates for the current year, previous years and the upcoming tax year.
Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021
Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the credit starting this summer. The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments beginning July 15. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. These changes apply to tax year 2021 only.
To qualify for advance Child Tax Credit payments, you — and your spouse, if you filed a joint return — must have:
Filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return and claimed the Child Tax Credit on the return; or
Given us your information in 2020 to receive the Economic Impact Payment using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool; and
A main home in the United States for more than half the year (the 50 states and the District of Columbia) or file a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the United States for more than half the year; and
A qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number; and
Made less than certain income limits.
We’ll use the information you provided earlier to determine if you qualify and automatically enroll you for advance payments. You do not need to take any additional action to get advance payments.
Manage Payments
Use this tool to: Click Here
Check if you’re enrolled to receive payments
Unenroll to stop getting advance payments
Provide or update your bank account information for payments beginning in August
Non-Filers: Submit Your Information
If you aren’t required to file a tax return and haven’t given us your information already, you will need to give us some basic information for the Child Tax Credit. Click Here
Employer Tax Credits
Many businesses that have been severely impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) will qualify for new employer tax credits PDF – the Credit for Sick and Family Leave and the Employee Retention Credit.
Publication 5419 - COVID-19 Employer Tax Credits - Flyer - PDF English
IRS Tax Tip
Taxpayers who claim at least one child as their dependent on their tax return may be eligible to benefit from the child tax credit. It’s important for people who might qualify for this credit to review the eligibility rules to make sure they still qualify. Taxpayers who haven’t qualified in the past should also check because they may now be able to claim the credit.
Taxpayers whose dependent does not qualify for this credit might be able to the claim the credit for other dependents.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and/or limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
In addition to VITA, 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, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Find a VITA provider here: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
The IRS Free File Program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry leaders who provide their brand-name products for free. It provides two ways for taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax online for free:
Traditional IRS Free File provides free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner sites. Our partners are online tax preparation companies that develop and deliver this service at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Please note, only taxpayers whose adjusted gross income (or AGI) is $72,000 or less qualify for any IRS Free File partner offers.
Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms you can fill out and file online for free. If you choose this option, you should know how to prepare your own tax return. Please note, it is the only IRS Free File option available for taxpayers whose income (AGI) is greater than $72,000.
Pick an option based on your income
Income $72,000 and below: https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
Income above $72,000: https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS and is your voice at the IRS. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly, and that you know and understand your rights as a taxpayer. We offer free help to guide you through the often-confusing process of resolving tax problems that you haven't been able to solve on your own. Remember, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.
TAS can help if you can't resolve your problem with the IRS and:
Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business.
You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action.
You've tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded to you, or the IRS hasn't responded by the date promised.
Use your best estimates for the year ahead to determine how to complete Form W-4 so you don't have too much or too little federal income tax withheld. Click here to access the Estimator tool
COVID - 19
CALL HOTLINE: 1-888-388- HOPE (4673) | REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL FINANCIAL RECOVERY COACHING
Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment - Click here
Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments - Click here
IRS Partner Toolkit
Now it is easier to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit
The Partner Toolkit provides promotional material, so you do not have to be an expert marketer. The toolkit will help you create professional outreach products that will encourage your audience to learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
You will find useful general and specialized marketing tools, including templates, statistics, fact sheets, how-to tips, specialized products and links to other helpful resources. Also, the toolkit includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube social media products to help you reach out to your target community – check it out!
https://www.eitc.irs.gov/partner-toolkit/welcome-to-the-partner-toolkit