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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) & Child Tax Credit (CTC)

What would you do with extra cash for you and your family? The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax benefit for workers like you who make under a certain amount of money. Use the links and the chart below to check your eligibility. If eligible, set up a free appointment now to get back the money you earned!

Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit by watching the videos below:

Do I qualify for EITC?

You can only get EITC when you file a Federal tax return and claim it. You must have income earned from a job, cash
earned on your own, or from your business.

Find out by using the estimator below:

Maximum Income to Qualify for EITC

 

 

You, your spouse, and any qualifying child you list on your tax return must each have a Social Security number that is valid for employment.

You must file:

  • Married filing jointly
  • Head of household
  • Qualifying widow(er)
  • Single
*You can't claim EITC if your filing status is “married filing separately”.

 

 

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax benefit to help parents, grandparents, siblings, foster parents, and others with the costs of raising children. If you meet a few qualifications and are raising a child, you might be able to receive the credit. 

Families must file a 2020 tax return to receive CTC even if they don’t normally file or aren’t required to file

What’s new about the CTC in 2021? 

As part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan, there are temporary changes and expansions to the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These changes include: 

  • A higher dollar amount per child: You can receive up to $3,600 per child under 6. In previous years, the maximum amount was $2,000 per child. 
  • No minimum income: Last year, you needed to earn at least $2,500 to receive part of the credit. Now, if you don’t have any income at all, you might still qualify for the credit. 
  • Age: Children under age 17 (must be 17 by December 31, 2021) might qualify you for the credit, instead of age 16 and under. 
  • Advance payments: You can receive part of the credit early (this year), and in monthly payments instead of receiving all of the credit at once in 2022. 

Do I qualify for CTC? 

  • Income: No minimum income requirement, but the credit begins to decrease for those with incomes of $75,000 and higher.  
  • Taxpayer Identification Number: Taxpayers, spouses and children claimed must have a SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) 
  • Children claimed must be ‘qualifying’:  
    • Age: must be 17 or under on December 31, 2021  
    • Child must live with the recipient in the US for more than half the year (does not need to be consecutive).  
    • Child must be considered a dependent for tax filing purposes  
  • Parents who share custody cannot both get the credit. 

More Information & Resources: 

 

Schedule an Appointment 

If you qualify for EITC & CTC, set up a free appointment with our staff to receive the credit. To set up an appointment, contact Riham Ayoub, Public Health Coordinator, at 313-920-1662.