Earned Income Tax Credit
Work out your 2026 earned income tax credit: the maximum for your family, where it phases out, the investment income limit, and your estimated credit.
Earned income tax credit calculator (2026)
Earned income tax credit: 2026 amounts
The EITC is a refundable credit for working people with low to moderate income: you can get it even if you owe no tax. For 2026 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32):
| Qualifying children | Maximum credit | Ends at (single/HOH) | Ends at (joint) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $664 | $19,540 | $26,820 |
| 1 | $4,427 | $51,593 | $58,863 |
| 2 | $7,316 | $58,629 | $65,899 |
| 3 or more | $8,231 | $62,974 | $70,224 |
Investment income must be $12,200 or less. Workers without qualifying children must be 25 to 64. The credit phases in with earnings, stays at the maximum for a range, then phases out. Example: a single parent with one child earning $25,000 gets about $4,250.
How to claim it
File a federal return even if you don't have to, and attach Schedule EIC if you have qualifying children. By law the IRS can't issue refunds that include the EITC before mid-February. Married couples filing separately generally can't claim it. See your whole refund in the tax refund estimator.
Common questions
How much is the earned income tax credit for 2026?
Up to $664 with no children, $4,427 with one, $7,316 with two and $8,231 with three or more.
What is the EITC investment income limit for 2026?
$12,200.
Is the EITC refundable?
Yes, you can get it as a refund even if you owe no tax.
Sources
More paycheck and tax calculators: Distributable Net Income (DNI) · Do You Pay Tax on Social Security · Enrolled Agent (EA) · Excise Tax
Related
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.