Payroll News
Get more from your paycheck! The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a special tax benefit for people who work full- or part-time.
If you qualify, you'll owe less in taxes and you may get cash back. Even if you don't owe income tax you can get the credit. But,
you must file a federal tax return.
Who can get the Earned Income Credit?
To claim the EITC, taxpayers must meet the following rules:
- Must have earned income
- Must have a valid Social Security number
- Investment income is limited to $2,800
- Filing status can’t be “married filing separately”
- Generally must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year
- Cannot be a qualifying child of another person
- Cannot file Form 2555 or 2555-EZ (related to foreign earned income)
For additional resources and help in determining if you qualify for EIC, you can make use of the
IRS EITC Assistant
How much is the EIC worth?
The value of the EIC is based on earnings and the number of children, if any, raised by the worker.
The "2005 Earned Income Tax Credit Estimator" gives you a quick way to figure how
much the EIC might be worth to a family.
Where can I find out more?
Go to the IRS Web Site at www.irs.gov or go directly to their:
or call the toll-free tax assistance hotline for individuals at 1-800-829-1040, or the
Nashville office at 801 Broadway M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-615-250-5656 (long distance charges may apply).
Check out the
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities web site on the Earned Income Tax Credit
and the Child Tax Credit for People Who Work; much of the above information comes from that site. Look especially for the booklets "Facts About the
Earned Income Credit" (28-page PDF file) and "Facts About the New Child Tax Credit" (20-page PDF file).
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