Earned Income Credit Calculator

Look up Earned Income Tax Credit amount by income, filing status, and children.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

$

EITC Amount

$5,608.03

Max Possible

$7,316.00

EITC Details

EligibleYes
Your Credit$5,608.03
Maximum for Category$7,316.00

Use the Earned Income Credit Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

For low-to-moderate income workers and families, the Earned Income Tax Credit can return thousands of dollars, and it does so as a refundable credit. Entering your income, filing status, and number of qualifying children produces a quick estimate of your potential EITC refund for the 2026 tax year. Having that figure in hand makes tax planning more concrete and clarifies where your overall liability is likely to land.

Behind the estimate sit the official 2026 IRS EITC tables and phase-out rules. Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is measured against income thresholds that shift with filing status and the number of qualifying children, and the credit is computed from those inputs. The structure phases in at lower income levels, hits a maximum, then tapers off as income rises.

Accuracy on your AGI and your count of qualifying children matters because even small errors move the credit noticeably. Because the EITC is refundable, you can still receive money back even when you owe no tax at all. The errors that trip people up most often are misidentifying who counts as a qualifying child and getting the filing status wrong, so it pays to verify both before relying on the result.

Example: Single Parent with Two Children

  1. 1 A single parent with two qualifying children has an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $35,000 in 2026. They are filing as Head of Household.
  2. 2 According to the 2026 EITC tables, for a Head of Household with two qualifying children, the maximum credit is approximately $7,430. The credit begins to phase out when AGI exceeds $25,810. With an AGI of $35,000, the credit is phased out by a certain percentage.
  3. 3 Based on these inputs, this parent would likely receive an estimated Earned Income Tax Credit of approximately $6,100.
  4. 4 This estimated $6,100 EITC can significantly boost the family's financial well-being. It's crucial to ensure all eligibility criteria for qualifying children are met to claim this credit accurately.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
You qualify if you have earned income below certain thresholds: approximately $18,591 with no children, $49,084 with one child, $55,768 with two children, or $59,899 with three or more children (2026 single/HOH). Investment income must be below $11,600.
How much is the EITC worth?
The maximum 2026 EITC is approximately $632 with no children, $4,213 with one child, $6,960 with two children, and $7,830 with three or more children. The actual credit depends on your exact income and filing status.
Can I claim the EITC if I am self-employed? (2)
Yes. Net self-employment income counts as earned income for the EITC. However, you must report all income accurately and pay self-employment tax. The IRS scrutinizes EITC claims with self-employment income more closely.