The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is for working families earning less than $48,279 and may be worth as much as $5,657. Additionally, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is worth up to $1,000 per child. By connecting families to free tax services, we are trying to help those who qualify for EITC and CTC claim the credits without having to pay hundreds out of their own pockets. This way they can keep the money they save to better provide for their family.

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Retroactive EITC

Earned Income Tax Credit

You may be able to receive up to $5,657 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you earned less than $48,279 and qualify for the credit.

The EITC is a federal tax credit for qualified low-income workers who have a valid Social Security number. Eligibility is based on your income and the number of children you have at home. Even if you did not make enough to require you to file a tax return, you may still be able to receive the refund.

How Much Money Are We Talking About?

• $6 to $5,657 if you have three or more qualified children and had a family income of less than $48,279 ($43,279 for a single-parent household).
• $5 to $5,028 if you have two qualified children and had a family income of less than $45,295 ($40,295 for a single-parent household).
• $4 to $3,043 if you have one qualified child and had a family income of less than $40,463 ($35,463 for a single-parent household).
• $1 to $457 if you have no qualified children* and had a family income of less than $18,440 ($13,440 for single individuals).

*If you have no qualifying children, you must be at least age 25 but under 65 at the end of the 2009

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Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) can be worth up to $1,000 per child.

For the CTC, the child must be under the age of 17 at the end of 2009 and have lived more than half of 2009 with the taxpayer. The Additional Child Tax Credit may also be available to filers that earn more than $3,000 for 2009 or have three or more qualifying children. Filers can have either an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number to claim the credit.

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Retroactive EITC

The EITC may be claimed retroactively if not claimed in the past 3 years.

That means if you qualified for EITC in tax years 2006, 2007, or 2008 and did not claim it, you can still receive the EITC by filing amended returns for the years that apply. Some free tax sites may be able to help you file amended returns as long as you can bring your previously filed returns for them to refer back to. Prior year returns and amendments can be completed at free tax sites only after March 1, 2010.

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