Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that helps low-income people who are working, especially those who are raising children. If you get it, you will either get a larger refund (money given back to you) or pay less in federal taxes.

The EITC is administered by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Most people who get the EITC get a refund. The largest refund you can get from the EITC for Tax Year 2018 is $519 (with no children), $3,461 (if you have one child), $5,716 (if you have two children) or $6,431 (if you have three or more children).

The EITC is mostly for working parents (or others such as grandparents, relatives or foster parents) who are raising one or more children. There are also rules about which children count for the EITC (see the next question). Some people who are not raising children, but who work can also get the EITC (see Questions 6). Your income from work has to be below the limits to get the EITC. (See Question 27 for the income limits.) Lots of people who can get the EITC do not get it because they do not file their taxes. They miss out on money that is meant for them.

• A son, daughter, adopted child, foster child placed by an agency, grandchild, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister (or a descendent of any of these), who lived in your home for at least six months during the past year.
• Under age 19, or under age 24 if a full-time student. Totally and permanently disabled children can be counted at any age.

• Be younger than the person claiming the child
• Not have filed a joint return other than to claim a refund

You can only get the EITC if you file your taxes (or have someone file them for you). If you pay someone to do your taxes, it will probably cost you $120 or more. There are also free tax preparation sites throughout Minnesota. Trained, professional volunteers at these sites will prepare your taxes at no cost to you. To find a free tax site in the metro area visit Prepare + Prosper for free tax sites in Greater Minnesota click here, or call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 (651-291-0211 for cell phone users). Some of the sites are open year-round.

Yes. For Tax Year 2018, if you have more than $3,500 in investment income in one year, you cannot get the EITC. Other assets such as money in a checking or savings account or other items you own do not matter for the EITC.

No. Legal immigrants can also get the EITC, but you have to have a Social Security Number (valid for work) for yourself, your spouse (if you have one) and your qualifying children to get it.

Because many Minnesotans with low incomes can get money back at tax time. If you do not file your taxes, you could miss out on lots of money.  Plus, you can get your taxes done for free at many places in Minnesota. To find a free location in the metro area visit Prepare + Prosper's website, for free tax sites in Greater Minnesota click here, or call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 (651-291-0211 for cell phone users).

There are several locations across Minnesota where you can get your taxes done for free. For Prepare and Prosper's free tax preparation sites click here. For other free tax preparation sites in Minnesota click here or call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 (651-291-0211 for cell phone users).

If you pay someone to file your taxes, it will probably cost you at least $120, and it could cost much more. If you go to a free tax preparation site (VITA or AARP), you will not have to pay anything. For Prepare and Prosper's free tax preparation sites click here. For VITA or AARP tax preparation sites in Minnesota click here or call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 (651-291-0211 for cell phone users).

• A picture ID.
• Cards showing Social Security Numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). You will also need to know the birth dates for each member of your family.
• It is helpful to bring a copy of your tax return from last year. Taxpayers can file three years back for unclaimed tax credits.
• Direct deposit information (such as a check) showing your bank account and routing numbers.
• Year-end income statements showing income from all jobs or payments (W-2 or 1099 forms)
• Year-end income statements for MFIP, SSI, MSA, GA, Social Security payments, veteran’s benefits and worker’s compensation.
• If you have a child in school in kindergarten through grade 12, bring receipts that show the school expenses that you paid for. Examples of school expenses are pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, purchase or rental of an instrument used in school, music lessons, etc. (Optional)
• Tuition expenses you paid to attend a university or technical college (Form 1098-T). (Optional)
• Interest paid on student loans (Form 1098-E)
• Daycare expenses. Bring your provider’s name, address, and tax ID or Social Security Number. (Optional)
• If you are a renter, bring your Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP).
• If you are a homeowner, bring your statements showing mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid (Form 1098) and Property Tax Payable (mailed by the county in March). (Optional)
• Charitable donations. (Optional)
• If you have a small business, daycare, or self-employment income, contact the tax site to see what else you need to bring.

• For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, money from the EITC is not counted as an asset for 9 months after you get it.
• For Food Support (Food Stamps) eligibility, money from the EITC is not counted as an asset for 12 months after you get it.
• Money placed in an Individual Development Account (IDA) is never counted toward asset limits.

To receive the EITC in Tax Year 2018 all of your earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below the limits. The limits are different for different groups of people.

For Single Parents:

• If you are a single parent raising one child, your earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below $40,320
• If you are a single parent raising two children, your earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below $45,802.
• If you are a single parent raising three or more children, your earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below $49,194.

For Married Parents Filing Jointly:

• If you are married and raising one child, you and your spouse’s earned income and adjusted gross income combined has to be below $46,010.
• If you are married and raising two children, you and your spouse’s earned income and adjusted gross income combined has to be below $51,492.
• If you are married and raising three or more children, you and your spouse’s earned income and adjusted gross income combined has to be below $54,884.

For Those Not Raising Children:

• For single adults, your earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below $15,720.
• For married adults, you and your spouse’s earned income and adjusted gross income has to be below $20,950.