The 2016 Earned Income Tax Credit

Find out now if you qualify for the 2016 Earned Income Tax Credit by using the EICucator tool below. Simply answer the "Yes" or "No" questions until the "EICucator" provides you with your final answer! See the current year EITC calculator. Note: You can no longer claim a tax refund from 2016. You can use the tool below to see the amount you would have been able to claim if you did not file a 2016 Return on time, but you cannot file this return to claim it as a refund. If you owed 2016 taxes, however, you can file and use this credit towards your taxes owed. This is why it is very important to use tax software to e-file your return in the year it is due so you do not lose out on refundable tax credits and over withholdings.

File your current year tax return online on eFile.com! Each year, the eFile App is updated to prepare and e-file current year returns as past year returns are not able to be electronically filed anywhere. The eFile platform handles the tax forms and calculations for you and helps claim tax credits like the EITC. Use eFile.com to eFileIT in the current year! See the present year EITCucator.

Only about 80% of taxpayers who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit claim it. Don't miss out on the money you deserve!

Estimate Your 2016 Earned Income Credit Amount

Use the tool below to help you determine how much your Earned Income Tax Credit may be. Enter your Filing Status, Number of Qualifying Children, and your adjusted gross income or AGI. Be aware that if you are Married Filing Separately, you will not qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

EIC Amount Tool
For Tax Year 2016

2016 Earned Income Tax Credit Eligibility Requirements

Maximum Adjusted Gross Income for the EITC for Tax Year 2016
Before you start the EICucator, you may want to make sure your income is not over the maximum:	With 0 Qualifying Children	With 1 Qualifying Child	With 2 Qualifying Children	With 3 or More Qualifying Children
Single or Head of Household	$14,880	$39,296	$44,648	$47,955
Married Filing Jointly	$20,430	$44,846	$50,198	$53,505

Once you determine if you are eligible for the EITC, here are the maximum credit amounts that you might qualifiy for in 2016:

$506 with no Qualifying Children
$3,373 with 1 Qualifying Child
$5,572 with 2 Qualifying Children
$6,269 with 3 or More Qualifying Children.

How to Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit on Your 2016 Tax Return

You will need to prepare your 2016 return on paper and mail it to the IRS to claim the credit because the IRS only accepts e-filed tax returns for the current tax year. See previous year tax return resources.

Here's how to file your 2016 tax return:

Find and download Form 1040 Schedule EIC, Earned Income Tax Credit and other 2016 tax forms, including the Form 1040.
Complete the form(s) on the online editor.
Print it out and sign it at the bottom of page 2. Attach any tax documents (i.e. W-2, 1099-MISC, etc.) to your return.
Mail your return to the IRS address listed on your return - do not use the current mailing address as these often change.

How to Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for Previous Tax Years

Begin on our page of previous year tax resources. Here, find the tax year in question and find the calculators on the linked page. You can no longer electronically file a past due return; sign up for a free eFile account so you can file your returns online each year and not have to worry about mailing in your return.

Tax Calculator by Tax Year

Estimate your Income Taxes by year with the following tax refund calculators:

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