How to Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit on Your Tax Return

You claim the EITC by filing a tax return, even if you don't normally file

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refund you receive through your tax return — you don't apply for it separately or contact an agency to request it. If you earned income and meet the income and family structure requirements, you report that information on your tax form, and the IRS calculates whether you may have access to and how much you receive. The credit reduces what you owe in taxes, and if the credit is larger than your tax bill, the IRS sends you the difference as a refund.

You must file a tax return to claim it, even if your income was low enough that you wouldn't normally be required to file. Many people miss out on the credit simply because they don't file at all. The IRS does not contact you to tell you that you may have access to — you have to take the step of filing.

Key Takeaways

• You claim the EITC by filing a federal tax return with IRS Form 1040 and either Schedule EIC (if you have a may have access to child) or Schedule 1 (if you don't), depending on your situation.
• You can file on your own using free tax software, work with a tax preparer, or visit a free tax preparation site in your community — all three routes lead to the same result.
• The IRS does not contact you to tell you that you may have access to; filing is your responsibility, and the deadline is normally April 15 each year.
• If you file late or miss a year, you can still claim the credit for prior years by filing an amended return, though there are time limits on how far back you can go.
• You will need your Social Security number, proof of income (W-2s or 1099s), and information about any children you're claiming, including their Social Security numbers and birth dates.

Filing on your own with free tax software

The IRS maintains a list of tax software companies that offer free filing to people earning below a certain income threshold — usually around $73,000 per year, though the exact amount changes annually. You download the software, enter your income and family information, and the program walks you through the EITC questions. The software calculates your credit automatically and files your return electronically with the IRS.

This route works well if you have straightforward income (W-2 wages, no self-employment income) and you're comfortable working through a form on your computer. The software is genuinely free — no hidden fees or upsells — and you can file from home on your own schedule. You can find the current list of participating companies on the IRS website under "Free File."

After you file, the IRS processes your return and deposits your refund into your bank account or sends a check, usually within 21 days if you filed electronically. You can check the status of your refund using the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" tool.

Using a free tax preparation site in your community

Many communities offer free tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. A trained volunteer prepares your return for you at no cost. You bring your documents — your W-2s, proof of income, Social Security numbers, and information about any dependents — and the volunteer enters the information, calculates your EITC, and files your return.

VITA sites operate during tax season (usually January through April) and are often located at libraries, community centers, senior centers, or nonprofit organizations. You can find a site near you by calling 211 or searching the IRS locator on their website. Some sites require you to make an appointment; others operate on a walk-in basis. There is no income requirement to use VITA, though sites may prioritize people with lower incomes or those who speak English as a second language.

This route is especially helpful if you're not comfortable filing on your own, if you have questions about what documents you need, or if you need help in a language other than English. The volunteer can also answer questions about whether you may have access to and what the credit means for your situation.

Working with a paid tax preparer

You can also hire a tax preparer or accountant to file your return and claim the EITC. This costs money — fees vary widely depending on the preparer and the complexity of your return — but the preparer handles everything and files on your behalf. Some preparers charge a flat fee; others charge hourly. Some will deduct their fee from your refund if you authorize it.

If you choose this route, make sure the preparer is someone you trust and that you understand the fee before you sign anything. The preparer should ask you detailed questions about your income, family structure, and living situation to determine whether you may have access to and calculate the correct amount. If a preparer promises you a larger refund than you expect without asking questions, that's a red flag.

Documents you need to gather before you file

Regardless of which filing method you choose, you'll need the same documents. Have your Social Security number ready, and if you're claiming a child, have their Social Security number and birth date. Gather all documents showing income you earned during the year: W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms if you had self-employment or contract income, or records of other earned income.

If you're claiming a child, you'll also need to confirm your relationship to them (you must be the parent, stepparent, grandparent, or other may have access to relative), that they lived with you for more than half the year, and that they were under a certain age at the end of the tax year (the age depends on which credit you're claiming). If you're filing jointly with a spouse, gather both Social Security numbers and both sets of income documents.

Have your filing status ready: are you single, married filing jointly, head of household, or another status? If you're unsure, the tax software or preparer can help you determine the correct status based on your situation.

What happens if you miss the filing deadline or file late

The normal deadline to file your tax return is April 15 of the year following the tax year. If you miss that deadline, you can still file and claim the EITC, but there are limits. You can claim the credit for the current year and the three prior years. After that, the right to claim the credit expires.

If you filed a return but didn't claim the EITC, or if you claimed it incorrectly, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original deadline to file the amended return and claim the credit you missed. This is worth doing even if several years have passed — the refund you receive is real money, and it's never too late to claim what you're owed.

Understanding the difference between the federal EITC and state credits

The EITC is a federal tax credit, but some states offer their own earned income tax credits as well. If your state has one, you claim it on your state tax return using a separate form. The state credit is calculated similarly to the federal credit but the income limits and maximum amounts may be different. When you file your federal return, you'll also file your state return at the same time (or shortly after), and both credits will be calculated.

If you're using free tax software or a VITA volunteer, they will prepare both your federal and state returns together. If you're working with a paid preparer, confirm that they're filing both returns and that the fee covers both. Some states have higher credits than others, so it's worth checking whether your state offers one — it could mean additional money in your refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return if I didn't earn much money?

Yes, if you want to claim the EITC. The IRS doesn't automatically send you the credit — you have to file a return to receive it. Even if your income was too low to require filing, filing a return is how you claim the credit. This is one of the most common reasons people miss out on money they're owed.

What if I don't have a Social Security number for my child?

You cannot claim the EITC for a child without a valid Social Security number. If your child doesn't have one, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration before you file your tax return. The process takes a few weeks, so plan ahead if you're close to the filing deadline.

Can I claim the EITC if I'm self-employed?

Yes. Self-employment income counts as earned income for the EITC. You'll need to report your net self-employment income on Schedule C (or Schedule C-EZ if you may have access to), and the software or preparer will calculate your credit based on that income. Keep records of your business income and expenses to support what you report.

What if I think I was denied the EITC unfairly?

If the IRS denies your claim or reduces your credit, they will send you a notice explaining why. You can respond to that notice or file an appeal. If you disagree with the decision, you can also contact a tax advocate through the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is a free IRS office that helps resolve disputes between taxpayers and the IRS.

Do I need to report the EITC as income on other applications?

The EITC is a tax refund, not income, so it typically does not count as income for programs like SNAP, housing assistance, or Medicaid. However, some programs may count it differently or may ask about it specifically. If you're receiving benefits from another program, check with that program about how they treat tax refunds before you file.