How does Earned Income Tax Credit work?

You will need to file your federal and New York State tax returns to claim EITC. File your 2021 taxes by April 18, 2022. To qualify, you need to have earned income from a full- or part-time job in 2021. You can receive more of the EITC if you have qualifying children or dependents. The maximum amount of the EITC you can claim is: No qualifying children: $1,502 1 qualifying child: $3,618 2 qualifying children: $5,980 3 or more qualifying children: $6,728 To qualify, you must have earned income from working full- or part-time in 2021. If you claim this credit, your refund may be delayed . By law, the IRS must wait until mid-February to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Am I eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit?

To be eligible for EITC for 2021, you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions: Do you have a valid Social Security Number? Did you earn income from working full- or part-time in 2021 or 2019? Did you live in your main home in the U.S for more than half of 2021? Will you file a tax return this year and are not claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s tax return? If you have qualifying children or dependents, did they live with you for more than half the year? And are they one of these? under 19 under 24 if a full-time student any age if permanently and totally disabled If you do not have any qualifying children, are you one of these? Not a student and age 19 or older A student and age 24 or older A qualified former foster youth or homeless youth (including a student) age 18 or older Did you earn less than $10,000 from investments in 2021? EITC can be determined using your income from 2021 or 2019 for tax year 2021.

How do I Apply to Earned Income Tax Credit?

If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, you can file your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep . IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are available to help you file. Virtual Tax Prep: A preparer can help you file your tax return during a 60-90 minute virtual call. Assisted Self-Prep: Complete your tax return on your own. A preparer will be available by phone or email to answer your questions. To claim your EITC you must file your federal and state tax returns during tax season. You will need the following forms: Form 1040 or Form 1040NR Schedule EIC for the federal return, if you have a child Form IT-215 for the New York State credit Worksheet C in the Instructions Form for IT-215 for the New York City credit If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, you can file your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep . IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are available to help you file. Drop-off service: Drop off your tax documents and pick up the completed return later In-person: Get your taxes prepared for free at a tax prep location near you.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

1. How it Works

EITC is a tax credit worth up to $6,728 in 2021 for low- to moderate-income workers and families. When you claim this credit when filing a tax return, you can lower the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund.

You will need to file your federal and New York State tax returns to claim EITC. File your 2021 taxes by April 18, 2022.
To qualify, you need to have earned income from a full- or part-time job in 2021.
You can receive more of the EITC if you have qualifying children or dependents. The maximum amount of the EITC you can claim is:
- No qualifying children: $1,502
- 1 qualifying child: $3,618
- 2 qualifying children: $5,980
- 3 or more qualifying children: $6,728
To qualify, you must have earned income from working full- or part-time in 2021.
If you claim this credit, your refund may be delayed. By law, the IRS must wait until mid-February to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for EITC for 2021, you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions:

Do you have a valid Social Security Number?
Did you earn income from working full- or part-time in 2021 or 2019?
Did you live in your main home in the U.S for more than half of 2021?
Will you file a tax return this year and are not claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s tax return?
If you have qualifying children or dependents, did they live with you for more than half the year? And are they one of these?
- under 19
- under 24 if a full-time student
- any age if permanently and totally disabled
If you do not have any qualifying children, are you one of these?
- Not a student and age 19 or older
- A student and age 24 or older
- A qualified former foster youth or homeless youth (including a student) age 18 or older
Did you earn less than $10,000 from investments in 2021?

EITC can be determined using your income from 2021 or 2019 for tax year 2021.

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

If you want to receive your refund through direct deposit, you will need banking information (voided check and/or savings deposit slip).

You should bring a copy of last year’s return, if it is available. The income documents listed are necessary to file your taxes. You should bring a copy of last year’s return, if it is available.

Form 1095-A if you, your spouse, or dependents enrolled in a health insurance plan through the Health Plan Marketplace.

For each person applying, any one document:

Drivers license/official photo ID
Social Security Card or ITIN
Social Security Card for dependents

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, you can file your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are available to help you file.

Virtual Tax Prep: A preparer can help you file your tax return during a 60-90 minute virtual call.
Assisted Self-Prep: Complete your tax return on your own. A preparer will be available by phone or email to answer your questions.

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