How does Earned Income Tax Credit work?

File your federal and New York State tax returns to claim EITC. File your 2022 taxes by April 18, 2023. To qualify, you need to have earned income from a full- or part-time job in 2022. Earned income includes all the taxable income you get from your job or your business. If you are unsure what qualifies as earned income, find more information on the IRS website . On average, most eligible New Yorkers receive $2,400 in combined EITC benefits. 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 to claim the EITC on your 2022 tax return, you’ll need these to qualify: You have a valid Social Security Number. Your income, marital, and parental status in 2022 fall within the criteria below. Married with qualifying children and earning up to $59,187 Married with no qualifying children and earning up to $22,610 Single with qualifying children and earning up to $53,057 Single with no qualifying children and earning up to $16,480 Qualifying children include biological children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren. If you have no children, the EITC is only available to filers between ages 25 and 64. You had investment income of less than $10,300 in 2022. You live in your main home in the U.S for more than half of 2022. You will file a tax return this year and are not claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s tax return. You will NOT file for Foreign Earned Income Form 2555. If you are still unsure if you qualify, the IRS has a calculator called the Qualification Assistant that can tell you if you qualify.

How do I Apply to Earned Income Tax Credit?

File your taxes for free online with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file online. 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 File your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file in person, or when you drop off your documents.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

1. How it Works

EITC is a federal, state, and city tax credit worth up to $11,000 for qualifying families, noncustodial parents, and those who work full- or part-time or are self-employed. When you claim this credit on your 2022 tax return, you can lower the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund.

File your federal and New York State tax returns to claim EITC. File your 2022 taxes by April 18, 2023.
To qualify, you need to have earned income from a full- or part-time job in 2022.
- Earned income includes all the taxable income you get from your job or your business.
- If you are unsure what qualifies as earned income, find more information on the IRS website.
On average, most eligible New Yorkers receive $2,400 in combined EITC benefits.
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 to claim the EITC on your 2022 tax return, you’ll need these to qualify:

You have a valid Social Security Number.
Your income, marital, and parental status in 2022 fall within the criteria below.
- Married with qualifying children and earning up to $59,187
- Married with no qualifying children and earning up to $22,610
- Single with qualifying children and earning up to $53,057
- Single with no qualifying children and earning up to $16,480
Qualifying children include biological children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren. If you have no children, the EITC is only available to filers between ages 25 and 64.
You had investment income of less than $10,300 in 2022.
You live in your main home in the U.S for more than half of 2022.
You will file a tax return this year and are not claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s tax return.
You will NOT file for Foreign Earned Income Form 2555.

If you are still unsure if you qualify, the IRS has a calculator called the Qualification Assistant that can tell you if you qualify.

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

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.

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.

File your taxes for free online with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file online.

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