How does Earned Income Tax Credit work?

On average, eligible New Yorkers receive $2,300 in combined federal, state, and city credits (the combined credit can be worth up to $11,000) You can claim the EITC whether you work full time, part time, or are self-employed Noncustodial parents may also qualify for state credits if they’re current on child support payments File your 2025 tax return by April 15, 2026 to claim this credit – help is available through NYC Free Tax Prep

Am I eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit?

Income requirements for the federal EITC Your 2025 income must fall within these limits: Household type Annual income limit Married with children Up to $68,675 Married without children Up to $26,214 Single with children Up to $61,555 Single without children Up to $19,104 Other federal requirements You must have a valid Social Security number Your investment income in 2025 must have been less than $11,950 You must be between 25 and 64 years old if you don’t have dependents (can be your children, stepchildren, foster children, or grandchildren) You can claim the EITC if your dependent(s) lived with you for more than half the year and you were legally separated at the end of 2025 or lived apart from your spouse for the last six months of 2025 Requirements for state and city credits If you qualify for the federal EITC, you automatically qualify for New York State and City credits when you file your state taxes. Not sure if you qualify? Use the IRS calculator to check your eligibility.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

How it works

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit that can put money back in your pocket if you work and earn a low to moderate income.

On average, eligible New Yorkers receive $2,300 in combined federal, state, and city credits (the combined credit can be worth up to $11,000)
You can claim the EITC whether you work full time, part time, or are self-employed
Noncustodial parents may also qualify for state credits if they’re current on child support payments
File your 2025 tax return by April 15, 2026 to claim this credit – help is available through NYC Free Tax Prep

Eligibility requirements

Income requirements for the federal EITC

Your 2025 income must fall within these limits:

Household type	Annual income limit
Married with children	Up to $68,675
Married without children	Up to $26,214
Single with children	Up to $61,555
Single without children	Up to $19,104

Other federal requirements

You must have a valid Social Security number
Your investment income in 2025 must have been less than $11,950
You must be between 25 and 64 years old if you don’t have dependents (can be your children, stepchildren, foster children, or grandchildren)
You can claim the EITC if your dependent(s) lived with you for more than half the year and you were legally separated at the end of 2025 or lived apart from your spouse for the last six months of 2025

Requirements for state and city credits

If you qualify for the federal EITC, you automatically qualify for New York State and City credits when you file your state taxes.

Not sure if you qualify? Use the IRS calculator to check your eligibility.

Required documents

You’ll need specific documents to file your taxes, like W-2s, receipts, and ID.

How to apply

You must file your federal and New York State tax returns to claim tax credits.

If you earned $97,000 or less with dependents or $68,000 or less without, you can file for free through NYC Free Tax Prep and keep your full refund. For more information, visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for tax preparation assistance. You can also file your federal taxes for free with getyourrefund.org to claim the federal EITC.

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Last Updated February 17, 2026

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Tax credit for working individuals and families