Earned Income Tax Credit
A refundable federal tax credit for workers with low to moderate earned income, larger for families with children.
The EITC is worth up to $664 with no qualifying children and up to $8,231 with three or more for 2026. The credit grows as you earn, levels off, then phases out as income rises.
You need earned income from work, investment income under $12,200 and a valid Social Security number. Workers without a qualifying child must be at least 25 and under 65.
Example
A head of household with one child and $22,000 of wages gets the full one-child credit of $4,427.