$
Wages and self-employment, in 2026
$
Including interest and other income
Your Earned Income Tax Credit
$6,029
For 2026, paid as part of your refund even if you owe no tax
- The most for your family
- $7,316
- Ends at income of
- $58,629
What this means
Your income is over $23,890, so the credit shrinks as you earn more, reaching nothing at $58,629.
The EITC is refundable: you get it even if you owe no income tax. Refunds that include it usually arrive from late February, as the IRS holds them until mid-February by law.
The credit at different incomes
| Income | No kids | 1 | 2 | 3+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $664 | $3,400 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
| $20,000 | $0 | $4,427 | $7,316 | $8,231 |
| $30,000 | $0 | $3,451 | $6,029 | $6,944 |
| $40,000 | $0 | $1,853 | $3,923 | $4,838 |
| $50,000 | $0 | $255 | $1,817 | $2,732 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $626 |
Who qualifies
- You need income from work, a valid Social Security number, and investment income of $12,200 or less in 2026.
- Without qualifying children, you must usually be 25 to 64.
- Married filing separately usually doesn’t qualify, unless you lived apart from your spouse.
Assumptions in this estimate
- Uses the 2026 credit amounts. A qualifying child must meet the relationship, age and residency tests.
- Doesn’t check the investment income limit ($12,200 in 2026) or the rules for separated spouses.