What is the earned income tax credit, and do you qualify?

Core Points - The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to provide tax relief to low-income and moderate-income workers, potentially adding hundreds or thousands of dollars to their income if they qualify [1] - Approximately 20% of eligible taxpayers do not claim the EITC, often due to lack of awareness or not being required to file a tax return [1] Group 1: EITC Overview - The EITC is a refundable tax credit that can reduce tax liability or increase tax refunds for qualifying individuals [3][4] - Eligibility for the EITC is based on several criteria, including income level, filing status, and family size [3][8] Group 2: Eligibility Requirements - In 2025, a single filer with no dependents must have an income below $19,104 to qualify for the EITC, while a married couple with three or more children can qualify with an income below $68,675 [8] - A qualifying child must be under 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, and must have lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year [9][10] Group 3: Claiming the EITC - To claim the EITC, taxpayers must complete Form 1040 and Schedule EIC, providing necessary information about qualifying children if applicable [13][14] - The IRS cannot issue EITC refunds until mid-February, which may delay the refund process for those who claim the credit [6] Group 4: Additional Information - Investment income exceeding $11,950 disqualifies taxpayers from claiming the EITC [12][16] - Taxpayers can amend their tax returns to claim unclaimed EITC credits for up to three previous tax years [18]