Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Calculator
Estimate your 2025 Earned Income Tax Credit based on your filing status, income, and number of qualifying children. The EITC is one of the largest refundable tax credits available to working families.
Find Tax Software That Maximizes Your EITC
The best tax software automatically checks your EITC eligibility and calculates the exact credit amount for you.
Compare Tax SoftwareUnderstanding the Earned Income Tax Credit
Who Qualifies for the EITC?
You must have earned income from working (wages, salary, tips, or self-employment). Your filing status cannot be Married Filing Separately. Both your earned income and adjusted gross income must be below certain limits based on your number of qualifying children. You must also be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the full year.
Rules for Qualifying Children
A qualifying child must meet relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests. The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of one of these. They must be under age 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student), and must have lived with you in the U.S. for more than half the year. If you have no qualifying children, you must be between ages 25 and 64.
Self-Employment Income Counts
Net earnings from self-employment count as earned income for the EITC. This includes freelancing, gig work, and Schedule C business income. This means many gig workers, rideshare drivers, and freelancers qualify even without traditional W-2 wages.
The EITC Is Fully Refundable
Unlike many tax credits, the EITC is refundable. This means if your credit is larger than your tax liability, you get the difference back as a cash refund. Even if you owe zero in federal income tax, you can still receive the full EITC amount as a refund check. For a family with three children, this can be worth up to $8,046 in 2025.
Investment Income Limit
For 2025, your investment income must be $11,600 or less to claim the EITC. Investment income includes interest, dividends, capital gains, and rental or royalty income. This limit is adjusted annually for inflation.
2025 EITC Income Limits at a Glance
| Children | Max Credit | Single/HoH Limit | MFJ Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $649 | $18,591 | $25,811 |
| 1 | $4,328 | $49,084 | $56,304 |
| 2 | $7,152 | $55,768 | $62,988 |
| 3+ | $8,046 | $59,899 | $67,119 |