Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
benefitsAlso known as: EITC, EIC, earned income credit
Updated · Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev
Detailed explanation
EITC is one of the largest federal anti-poverty programs — paid out to ~25M households each year. The credit is fully refundable: if it exceeds tax owed, you receive the difference as a refund. Earned income (W-2 + net self-employment) must be at least $1 to qualify. Investment income cap: $11,950 (2026). The PATH Act delays all EITC refunds until mid-February each year for fraud prevention. EITC stacks with the Child Tax Credit (also refundable up to $1,700/child). Free filing assistance via IRS VITA program for filers under $67K.
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