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The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a tax benefit for working people with low or moderate incomes. You don’t have to have children to qualify for the credit, but if you do, you generally will get more of a tax benefit. The credit is highest for parents filing jointly, lower for those filing singly, and very low for people without children.

Workers who qualify for the credit and file a federal tax return can get back some or all of the federal income tax that was taken out of their pay during the year. They may even get extra cash back from the IRS.

There also is an advance payment feature that allows employers to put extra money in qualified workers’ pay envelopes. That lets these workers take home the money each pay period a little at a time instead of waiting and getting it in one lump sum when they file their tax returns.

EIC Claims for Tax Year 2004
Earned income tax credit:
Number of returns with credit (millions) 21.9
Amount claimed (billion dollars) $39.7
Refunds:
Number issued (millions) 18.9
Amount (billion dollars) $34.6
Source: IRS DataBook

Complaints about credit

While the earned income tax credit is a big help to many filers, it does have its critics. Many taxpayers complain that:

  • The credit is hard to compute.
  • Its eligibility tests are cumbersome.
  • Figuring qualifying income is difficult.

Confusion also arises in cases where custody of a child is shared or in question. In these cases, the IRS has established guidelines to help parents or guardians determine which taxpayer may name the child in connection with the EIC.

Don’t be deterred

But if you think you can benefit from the earned income tax credit, don’t let these concerns stop you from filing for it. For more information, see “How to Figure the Credit Yourself” in part D of IRS Publication 596.

Once you know that you qualify for the EIC, you can figure the amount of the credit by using the Earned Income Credit Worksheet and the Earned Income Credit Table in the instruction booklet for Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ. Remember, the credit amount is phased out if a taxpayer exceeds earning limits, which usually are adjusted annually.

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