EITC Income Limits and Maximum Credit by Family Size
The Earned Income Tax Credit has different income limits and maximum credit amounts based on how many children you have. Here's what you need to know to see if you qualify.
- Published Sep 21, 2026
- Reviewed Sep 21, 2026
- 2 min read
Quick answer: The EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) has different income limits depending on whether you have children and how many. The more children you have, the higher your income can be and still qualify. Your maximum credit amount also increases with each child.
What is the EITC?
The EITC is a tax credit for working people with low to moderate income. A tax credit reduces the amount of tax you owe, and you may get money back if your credit is larger than your tax bill. You must have earned income from work to qualify.
Income Limits by Family Size
Your income limit depends on whether you have qualifying children. The IRS looks at your "modified adjusted gross income," which is roughly your total earned income.
[VERIFY: 2026 EITC income limits for individuals with 0, 1, 2, and 3+ children]
Income limits are slightly higher if you are married and file taxes jointly.
Maximum Credit Amounts
The credit amount you can get also depends on your family situation:
- If you have no qualifying children: [VERIFY: maximum credit amount]
- If you have one qualifying child: [VERIFY: maximum credit amount]
- If you have two qualifying children: [VERIFY: maximum credit amount]
- If you have three or more qualifying children: [VERIFY: maximum credit amount]
You don't automatically get the maximum amount. The exact credit depends on how much you earned during the year.
Who Counts as a Qualifying Child?
Your child must meet several rules to count toward your EITC. They must be your biological child, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of one of these (like a grandchild). Your child must be under [VERIFY: age limit] years old at the end of the tax year, unless they are disabled.
The child must also live with you for more than half the year, and you must provide more than half of their financial support.
How to Apply
You claim the EITC when you file your taxes. You can file on your own, use free tax software, or get help from a tax professional. The IRS decides if you qualify based on the information you provide.
Applying for the EITC is free. If you think you qualified in previous years but did not claim it, you may be able to file an amended return to get the credit.
Next steps: Check out our EITC guide for more details, or use our benefits screener to see what programs you may qualify for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the EITC if I work part-time?
Yes. The EITC is for people with low to moderate income from work. Your job status (full-time or part-time) does not matter as long as you have earned income.
What happens if my income goes up during the year?
Your income limit is based on your total earned income for the entire year. If you earn more than the limit by the end of the year, you may not qualify. But you can still file a return to find out.
Can I claim the EITC without a qualifying child?
Yes. The EITC is available to working people with no children, but the income limit is lower and the maximum credit amount is smaller. You must be between [VERIFY: age range] years old.
What if I do not owe taxes?
You can still file a tax return to claim the EITC. Even if you do not owe taxes, you may get a refund if your EITC credit is larger than the tax you owe.
Can I claim children who do not live with me full-time?
No. Your qualifying child must live with you for more than half the year. There are narrow exceptions for temporary absences due to school or medical care.
Programs in this article
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Last reviewed Sep 21, 2026. Found an error? Tell us.
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Program rules & income limits
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