Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator 2011, 2012

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By frankellis

The Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator Tool is Available For You

The Earned Income Credit, also known as eic, is a tax credit that many low income people may be eligible for. It is quite a substantial tax credit that can help if you have a low income.

You can go here to calculate and claim the credit. The earned income credit can reduce your taxes, and can give you a tax refund. You may want to review your situation this year as you may now qualify if you have had any changes in income or family size.

The earned income tax credit reduces the amount of tax you owe, which may result in a tax refund which can add up to thousands of dollars.If you do qualify, the eic tax credit could be worth up to $5,666. So it is worth checking to see if you qualify.

There are a few stipulations for the Earned Income Credit:

1. You must be married and filing jointly, head of household, qualifying widow, or single. You may not file separately if married.

2. You, your spouse, and any qualifying children must have valid social security numbers.

3. You must have earned income. This also applies if you are self-employed.

4. You may still qualify even if you do not have children.

5. You must be a U.S. citizen.

6. You cannot be a qualifying child on someone else’s return.

7. Qualifying children must be under the age of 18 by the end of the tax year unless they are a full time student.

Use The Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator To Estimate Your Tax Refund

The amount will vary depending on your income levels and family size. This amount will be figured automatically for you if you use some type of online tax preparation service such as TurboTax Online. TurboTax offers the tools for you to calculate your estimated earned income credit amount.

Visit TurboTax Online to calculate your earned income credit. TurboTax offers free tools to see if you qualify for the earned income credit.


Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator Video

Leave a Comment - Join the Conversation!

Tkeith26 6 hours ago

It is funny to me how people who make no money all year (meaning they pay no taxes), actually get the MOST money back during tax season. Take their unearned tax returns and go all hood rich, I know people who wait on it all year long! They dont pay bills with it, or try to get ahead, they just live rich for (a month)! I hate it! And to the lady who said "double the EIC" credit, what is your rationale again? Why would this make sense? I am in the tax class (and no i am not trying to act like i am rich, because after taxes I have little disposible income left), this tax class takes the largest % of your gross income, then does not allow you to qualify for the tax breaks of the elite or income credit as the poor. Its just not fair. I (and others like me), pay the highest % of our income all year in taxes, and instead of getting taxes back, we end up OWING more taxes. HOw is this fair? somebody (whoever is defending "POOR" people on this blog), please explain how this is fair to me and others like me. and why SHOULDNT we be PISSED?

listen u high paid 6 weeks ago

it is the poor that is the backbone to this country. so stop hating on the poor and live within your means,i hope they doubbbble the earned credit just for the stupid comments of the ones that think they are rich!!!!

pumpkin 7 weeks ago

I think some of you (R U serious) need to take a blood pressure pill. Keep that up and you won't live long enough to get your EIC.

cme 8 weeks ago

Some of you are straight up stupid. EIC isn't welfare. I'm not sure I qualify for EIC but I know the dinky checks I bring home disqualify me for welfare. I am a single mom with 2 kids that I had while married to a man that bailed when the weight of being responsible became more than he wanted to bare. I have one child who is autistic and one who's IQ is clearly higher than some of you. Translation both of my children have special needs that consume a lot of time and money. I WORK part time due to the autistic childs needs. I have an education. I am certified in two fields. Unfortuniately a certificate and portfolio won't create a job just because i am more than qualified to do the job.. The second certificate is CNA license which means I get a minimum wage job. I saw a post bitching about daycare and having to pay full price...well guess what I make way less than 40k and I would be required to pay full price for my kids.. Problem being a child with an autism spectrim disorder isn't easy to place in daycare.

I wish it was as easy as get a better job.

whatabunchashmucks 2 months ago

I gotta question for all you 100k earners saying "get a better job" to the people making under $40k: when your rich ass wants a new half-a-million-dollar shack, who's gonna build it for you when all the carpenters "get better jobs"? When you wanna take all that money out for dinner on Friday night, who's supposed to cook it or serve it to you when all the kitchen staff get better jobs? When you don't want holes in the road busting up your precious Mercedes cause you've paid so much in taxes, who's supposed to fill them in for you when the city workers went and got better jobs? Hmmmm? When you've decided to put your parents in a home cause they're old and you're too good to take care of them yourself, who's supposed to feed them and wipe their butts when all the HHA's got better jobs? You don't have an answer, do ya? HOW ABOUT PAYING EVERYONE WHAT THEY DESERVE!!! YOU PIECES OF SH!T

WTF? 2 months ago

All you people bashing the EIC: you obviously don't know squat about tax law! The EIC is not welfare! Its a credit given to people who WORK, make between 2 specified amounts of money in a year, and meet other requirements. Its not a handout! Its interest for the $120 a week the government takes from my struggling family that causes my family to struggle even more than necessary! I pay every other company in the country interest for the money I borrow, so WHY SHOULDN'T I BE PAID INTEREST FOR THE MONEY BORROWED FROM ME? If my stink a$$ Kia didn't cost $400 a month with 20% interest and my stink a$$ insurance didn't cost $180 a month and my stink aa$$ job paid more than $32,000 a year and all these stink a$$ creditors didn't charge $300+ in late fees every month, then I wouldn't need the EIC. But, I do need it! You see, my stink a$$ Kia is running on 2 bald tires this winter. If I don't get the EIC, then I'm going to be driving around on tires that are about to pop, and I hope to God its your stink a$$ I crash into when the tires pop on my way to my dreadful job and I hope to God when my tires pop and I run your stink a$$ I fly out my cheap a$$ windshield and into yours and chop off your stinkin' a$$ head!

mark 2 months ago

to whom this may concern....guess what i get eic my wife was a stay at home mom...i was a Marine i lost my rt leg and my rt eye i get 525..a month from va my wife cleans houses i have 2 kids before being called on i was a iron worker i made 125,000 a year lost my house my car so really come to my trailer and tell me i dont deserve eic and oh by the way i get foodstamps tooo so becare about what you say you never know when you might end up in the same place as some of these good people trying to get by....

nikki 2 months ago

well for j ..i guess you are right!!! these days its not bout what you know its who you know.so what if you and your wife make 100k . so do i alone and i still think its ok. EIC is for people who work and make less income, see everyone dont have the same education as you do and some people are weak in certain areas of their life. And for you to make the statement that 100 k is not enough or whatever well here's the thing,,,if you and your wife stop living above your means and destroy the creditcards with the 50,000 plus limits that alow or shall i say pushes you further into debt then 100k will never be enough to support your family, Another thing is that you and your wife need to reevaluate the situation that you all are in,,,Man thats more that enough to live and make it on if you got common sense or should i say some education..See for many years God has put on my heart to help people and that's what i did. I down-sized my home and im happy,my car is paid for,my house, and there is food in my pantry. I donate to the shelters and many more things to help the white,black,hisp,asians,etc. See you got to know that you too are blessed to be making 100k a year. Think of the people who don't... So what i want you to do is be mindful of what you say and remember to keep the faith that things with your income will get better.Without faith,nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible!!!!! Stop looking down on low income people of this world and individuals who hav very little education or maybe no education,,,

nikki 2 months ago

well really and truly the welfare system was designed for poor families and for the female that made the comment about how black individuals spend their money on sneakers,etc, well white people get a roof over their head which is the right thing to do,but at the same time if i want to buy my children clothes,shoes or whatever why not at least its my money. you do what you want because you would think at this day and time people so have a roof . whats the problem??? as far a shoes, they get wear and tear,duh ,,so stop trying to talk negative toward blacks cas there are just as many white welfare recipients as there is black. except whites try to be low key with getting foodsgtamps,drug abuse,and drug selling ,,,to some it up everyone do what the heck they want to do,,im going to get my boys some sneakers,clothes,and what ever else they want cas thanks to the grace of GOD my house is paid for. I have no morgage!!!!!!!!

JJ2003 2 months ago

To FED UP: and the other retards complaining about EIC!

You went to college and got a degree huh? You paid for that degree? Your choice to pay all that money for it? Your husband as well? Maybe your choice of colleges was wrong and your career choice was incorrect! Ever stop to think maybe? 100k a year between the two of you? How much did you pay for your home? Your car? Have 2 cars? Any toys? You should have gone to college to be a politician! If people like yourself would stop living outside of your means and stop trying to keep up with the Jones's maybe you would have more money for yourself to get the small things that the rest of us Americans live off of every day. What do you really think the "average American" makes? Better yet, let me ask you what you do for a living? I repair automobiles. I risk my life everyday working underneath 4000lb cars that could kill me in a second. I work on top of engine's that are over 200 degrees, sweating, busting knuckles, bleeding, risking infection from dirt and grease and grime, breathing in asbestos dust from brake linings, coming into skin contact with poisonous chemicals and contaminated fluid's which cause skin cancer, and I could go on with more. Guess what? I went to college. And paid for it myself. No TAP, no PELL grants. My parents made too much money. Wanna know how much too much was? $38,000 a year, combined. My father was a banker and my mother worked for the city. That was twenty years ago. Wanna know what that same banker position pays now? $72,000 a year. The city position? $28,000. So you tell me where there is corruptness going on in the last 20 years. It doesn't look like its at the city level, but it sure looks like its on the private sector, especially on the financial side which we" the Americans" just bailed out. Why don't you go sit down on Wall St. and see what people are wearing going in and out of the financial corporations? I know I wont make enough money in my lifetime to afford what they all assume they need to live off of. Stop whining about the people you LIVE with and start on the people you WORK for. After all, its the financial groups who hold all the cards. You said it yourself, your paying back student loans up to $7000 a month. Whose fault is that? Yours for choosing to do so and the banks that hold the note. Whose making all the money? Gee, I don't know. The people on welfare right? Dumba**! I'm sorry but the 5-6k that my wife and I get from EIC is a drop in the bucket compared to what you spend in a month. Sit down and figure it out for yourself. What are your monthly expenditures? My EIC wont even pay one month of YOUR student loans you jerk! Let me guess, your home was $150k, just a lowball figure, probably more, your car $25k, another lowball figure I'm sure of. 5 kids! And you complain about others who cant afford children! Close you legs DUMBA**! I have 3 and my wife got her tubes tied! We knew what our limit was! Why not you?! Get your head out of your a** and go back to college!

cody 2 months ago

I'm 17 years old i live in ohio and by the end of the year i'll have paid roughly 1000 dollars in taxes thats my federal state social securty ect. i was just curious on how much i will gwt back of it. i'll be 18 april 20th 2012. if anyone could help that'd be great

3 months ago

The EIC is something that should be completely phased out. Although I understand and do understand what some of the people are going through on here, the EIC is a form of welfare. Given the fact that our welfare programs are already utilized to the max, there is no need for further welfare programs, particularly given the current nature of our economy.

I am a father myself. My wife and I have a combined income in excess of 100k. I see multiple posts on here where people think everyone that makes over 100k is rich. Far from it.. I have over 200k in student loan debt and my wife has another 50k in student loan debt. Our mortgage and student loan payments alone are over 5k each month. In addition to that, we have three young children that need daycare. If we made under 40k per year, we would get free or reduced fee daycare. Since we make "too much money", we have to pay full price, which ends up being around 2k per month. Do the math, right there is 7k in monthly obligations. We aren't even talking about all of the other expenses, car payments, insurances, utilities, etc.

If we made under 40k, we would get wic, food stamps, assistance with day care, etc.. Yes, people with incomes like ours have more money, but we have more expenses. The less you make, the more you qualify for. we don't get any breaks on our taxes. Given that everyone under 40k gets all of these other benefits, they certainly shouldn't be getting this much of a tax break, particularly when many times this results in a refund above and beyond what they paid in, which means people like me are carrying the burden.

Instead of complaining about the rich, get a better job, get some training, some eductation, etc.

kristen 3 months ago

wow this is crazy. Listen I have been on both ends of the stick. I used to not qualify and due to a divorce and devering incomes I get EIC, however no toher assistance I make exactly 36000 a years with two jobs and going to school. I do not see why I get looked down on, because it is money I have not earned? BS I will never receive the money I pay into Social security ever...there is 134 a week taken out of my check in taxes. I live within my means and I have one child and I had her not thinking Id be alone. Please do not be so harsh to those you dont understand. I understand now...my husbacnd left after ten years...so those who have husbands and talking crap what if yours leaves one day...what would you do.

diana d 4 months ago

i did some contract work this year for a few months, my child will be born in oct. how much would my income tax return be?

Lindsey 4 months ago

I am 24 and have supported my daughter for the last 3 yrs on 1 income. I have NEVER been on food stamps or cash assistance and i work between 50-60 hrs a week taking care of adults with dissabilities. I do not recieve child support nor have i ever and i am disgusted with people who think that EIC is an easy way out for everyone...i do agree that the welfare system is widely taken advantage of...but lets get this straight...so is EVERY OTHER FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE PROGRAM...tax breaks for the rich, bailouts on crooked financial programs and bankers and lenders...get real. You want to know why our country is in the economic turmoil look to the rich jerk on Par 7 at your local golf course. Last yr i made TOO much to get back any money from EIC...want to know what too much is for a single mother 37000 gross...now that is a heck of a lot of money for those of us who live within our means but that isn't the kicker...the government severd 21% of my wages. nearly 10,000 into taxes to get nothing back. The wealthy pay an average of 17%...so who is taking money from who? in order for the government not to rape me i have to work less! Still don't get any benefits of welfars, child support, food stamps, section 8, none of that. I live in a small town that i moved to when i was 19 and ALL of my family lives 1600 miles away so i do this ALONE...no rich person is being taken advantage of by the welfare system...its the poor people. It always has been. The rich are still rich, the middle class are now poor, and the poor are now destitute. Our Welfare system was DESIGNED to keep impoverished people impoverished which is why i refuse to participate in it because dont want to become a victim. But instead of getting on here and griping and blaming why doesn't every body just got out and vote...starting with drug screanings for those on welfare and more hands on invovment from social workers and case managers...you want to bitch about paying out money...well go complain to your local SRS because if they were actually doing there jobs, people would be succeeding! This isn't any ONE persons fault...we are all guilty as a nation for not standing up along time ago and doing something to make a change.. But everyone was so focused on themselves to look over at their neighbor and see their struggles...we are a country...if we leave behind a group, that group will drag the others down and to rebuild an economy you have to start at the bottom...not at the top by fixing the "crisis" of the rich...which btw i consider a corporate corruption being bailed out a little more hainus then a women getting pregnant. With that said, if you want change...do something about it! but please quit blaming and classifying people because there is NO x factor...each person is different! Thanks

Kristina 4 months ago

I bet the same a-holes putting down eic don't want to see single parents get child support either. The only sadness I foresee is that I won't get to witness that gratifying moment when you get knocked off your high-horse to the welfare line. F off. I wish someones hoity toity a$$ would step in my face saying half the stuff said on here. Since slapping someone and spitting in their face are both battery charges, it would be a double battery, lmfao.

Proud mommy 6 months ago

Some of the crap these people are talking about is ridiculous. Yes I'm a single mother. I bet you won't come to my face and tell me I shouldn't have had my daughter. She's my life and I work my a** off to take care of her. Each one of my paychecks I pay in over $100 to federal. How is this fair to my baby? And yes I get food stamps. Where I'm from, you have to show proof of income to receive them. If you don't have income you have to prove that as well. I don't see anything wrong with receiving government assistance if it's needed. I hate people that think just because I'm a single mother I don't deserve help. I know alot of single moms. Not one of us made the choice to be that way. We just happened to fall in love with the wrong guy. Why should our INNOCENT children suffer? I wish I could take care of my baby on my own, but the fact is I make less than $10,000 a year. The people talking s*** on here wouldn't last 5 minutes doing what I do for a living. And even though I literally break my back working to take care of other people's loved ones, I don't make enough to make it on my own. The EIC is like a godsend for someone like me. I struggle from paycheck to paycheck to make sure my little girl has what she needs. Tax time is the one time of year I can spoil her and buy her everything she wants and needs and still have money to pay bills and save some for a rainy day. Little miss krista needs her face slapped off. How dare you judge other people. Are you God? Didn't think so. I may have bought stuff for myself with my taxes. You know why? Because I'm the one that paid to take care of my daughter all last year. Why shouldn't I reward myself? All the people hating on single mothers and fathers need to take a walk in my shoes and see how it feels. B******.

poorboy 8 months ago

Wow there is alot of hatred on here.We should join together,regardless of race etc.. Americans once stood together.Did you know in the 1950s the highest tax bracket was90%. Those were glory days in this country.GM had 5% of gdp then,now its walmart.Here is my point!Buy AMERICAN and keep OUR jobs.Help less priveledged people who help themselves,it will only make Americans stonger.READ YOUR BIBLE!IT IS HARDER FOR THE RICHMAN TO GET INTO HEAVEN THAN FOR A CAMEL TO PASS THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE!BELIEVE IT, LOOK AROUND.Im poor and glad of it.When I see people judging each other it makes me sick.

say WHAT???? WTDTA??? 8 months ago

hey...miss "i make 100k a year an we struglle with the same bills as everyone else"...Bit@h plz..i have 3 kids an make 14,000 dollars a year!! Wanna switch incomes? u have more bills because u live beyond ur means, i struggle my ass off, but my kids are given all they need to survive..ill take ur place any day, u have no idea what the word 'struggle' means..u should kill urself..goodbye

momof3 8 months ago

I think temporary assistance is exaclty what it says. I do admit I am on it but close to getting off. My husband left me after 13 years and I was a stay at home mom. So the EIC helped pay some bills and get ahead and my job takes care of current bill. I have 3 children and make 19,000.00 year. I needed the assistance to get on my feet but I believe when you get there get off and do it on your own it is such an achivement that I can do it by myself. So I believe there is nothing wrong with it when used the right way we just need to find away to make it and keep it temporary.

Fairisfair 9 months ago

If you get the EIC, you can't vote. When you make enough money to afford your kids, then you can vote again.

Amalia Greenburg 9 months ago

My kids are grown now but I was sure happy to recieve the earned income credit when I was raising them. If I have to pay taxes now then thats what I want my money to go for.

taxedout 9 months ago

Fine,Have your tax credit but it should only be up to the amount of tax that was paid in. More than that is just taking my money from me and calling it something you earned. come on.

paidmytaxes 10 months ago

My husband and I had a good income and paid lots in taxes for years. Later, he walked out on me and the kids for his mistress. Last year, I worked and kept a roof over our heads, but did not make much. I was just told by H & R Block that I get a refund due to the EIC. I did not ask for any money from the government, but I figure I paid in for years, and if had owed taxes for last year, I would have paid in this year, too. I wasn't sure if I should accept the credit, but since I paid in taxes for so long, I guess it would be fair to accept it since it is offered, and I can use it to help my kids.

If I was setting up the tax system in the first place, I would not make it all complicated like it is now with credits and deducations and frankly, I think income tax isn't the best idea anyway. The national sales tax would probably be better, so you don't penalize people for making more money, and it is more in line with the Constituation.

I don't have a problem with the fact that I have paid in for years, and people have gotten credits. I just think the whole system is a bit oppressive to people, and it would be easier on everyone (except the stores I guess) to charge a sales tax on luxury items--not food, etc., and no income tax.

christa 11 months ago

I don't understand the cruel words people are using on here to talk to each other. Everyone is in a different situation, but there is so much anger here. Earned income credit (see #3 qualifier above) means that you have to work during the year to recieve it, I am not sure but I think a minimum of $12,000 to recienve money back. That might not seem like a lot, but there are tons of people that live in this nation and work very hard and live on minimum wage. It is a painful reality. Yes, they get money back, but at the low wage that they recieve, that means lower costs to goods and services for everyone (all consumers benefit from this-whether wealthy or unwealthy).

molly wright 11 months ago

ohhhhh what a sad statement on this country. Im sooo shamed -----Kristin ,please go back to watching Maury -- your making me cringe. We all need more money. I dont have children, but I love my struggling friends that do. Still, my pets need to eat, ....... And after reading this ,im going to need a FEW drinks-- which arent free. GGGEEEZZZZZZZ -- lighhhten up people. oh-- and Kristin, Killya self. MOLLY

sharon 11 months ago

How can a person who has been paid all year by the welfare dept. get a tax refund? It does not seem fair to those of us that work all year and get back less than a person who has not worked at all. Maybe that is one reason our State is in the mess we are. Cut out the refunds to those that don't PAY into it all year.

amanda 11 months ago

To all the people disagreeing with the EIC and bitching about their tax dollars... I qualified this year for the EIC. I have a 6 month old son. Last year, I worked until 4 days before my son was born I worked 40+ hours a week... ON MY FEET (I am a hairstylist.) I worked my ass off. I did so in order to pay my own way. I do not depend on anyone else. Hoewver, most salons do not offer paid maternity leave, so the monmey I saved went quickly. I took out a loan and maxed out 2 credit cards. I was not out shopping for lavish things. I was supporting myself and my son. You know how expensive babies are, if you have children. I am now repaying interest and have been back to work for 3 months. I am still trying to get back to where I was before giving birth. I am a responsible, educated young adult, who pays taxes the same as you. I've paid taxes since I had my first job at the age of 16. I have never received government assistance. Quit judging others. You should accept that there are credits like the EIC for a reason. Nothing is free in this world. The money we qualify to get back is earned. Hence, EARNED income credit. You're obviously entitled to your opinion. But, you just sound like an ignorant prick.... just MY opinion.

taxed to death 11 months ago

I disagree with EIC because it gives money to people that is not theirs and that was not earned. Then the people who also worked their As*** off get the money the feds took from them and distributes it as they see fit. I do not even get half of the money returned in federal taxes that are paid in each year. my husband and myself make less than 100 thousand a year. we have 4 children, 2 of which are in college. my children get no assistance for school due to our income. It seems as if you are rewarded for being unmarried, unemployed and having multiple children that you cant support. I get so sick and tired of hearing peoples sad stories about being pregnant and having small children and need help. I worked standing on my feet until my babies were due and went back to work right away because we could not afford for me not to! If you can be a stay at home mom that is great, your husband must have a great job to support you and your family. If not then get a freaking job! do you think that moms like myself like leaving their kids and going to work and missing school plays, ball games and important things in our kids life. Well most of us have no choice in order to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. unfortunately when you make an effort to be a productive human being there is no assistance for your 700 heating bill every month or your copays on medications your kid needs to stay healthy. if you keep having kids and have no job, the state will pay for you to have a place to live, your utilities are paid, your food paid for, medical paid for and a aid to dependent children check in your pocket I guess is just spending money cause everything else has been paid for. what is the motivation to get a job then. some have the motivation for a couple of months of the year just to get the thousands of dollars that they get back on income tax for EIC. If you did not work the entire year unless laid off or job loss due to something out of the persons control they should not be getting this benefit. people having been working the system for years and it is breaking our country, along with all of the corrupt politicians filling their pockets. people who work hard everyday are losing their homes, wages garnished for medical bills. where is the help for the hard working americans that pay their taxes! why must we continue to take care of young healthy people who do everything that they can do to get a handout where ever they can get one from! I also believe everyone on public assistance should be drug tested!!!!! If you are on welfare already quit having babies for taxpayers to support!!!

Mimi_Austin 11 months ago

Yes, the EIC is a form of welfare, in that it is government money given to the working poor, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. Yes, there are thousands of people who abuse it, but there are many, many more people who are helped by it.

I lived most of my life in Asia where there is no welfare system and the result is streets filled with beggars (including children) and pickpockets and filth. People who don't make enough to support their families are not just going to roll over - they will resort to any means necessary to provide for their families.

So even though it seems like I pay more in taxes than many others, especially having no kids, I am glad that there is EIC because it improves EVERYONE'S life, both those receiving it and those who are paying for it. There might be some people abusing it, but the majority take the money to improve life for their families.

That being said, anyone who thinks they DESERVE this just because they don't make much is fooling themselves. If you qualify for it without lying or misrepresenting your situation, then by all means, take it. But once you start telling yourself you deserve it, you make it harder for yourself to break out of your situation.

Kudos to 'been there'...even though the going is tough, I'm sure with your self-reliant and humble attitude, your family will continue to prosper more and more. Thanks everyone for sharing, and I wish everyone the best.

siobhan 11 months ago

I wish I had 100k a year , nice :)

christa 12 months ago

I have worked at the same company for 10 years now-making under $11 an hour. I work for a retirement community full of weaalthy residents. I am told by the executive director to be greatful for the little I get. I think it is deplorable to sacrifice so much time and effort to something and get paid so little. One positive way I am trying to see it (to help myself fell better with it) is as community service. I work my butt off, get paid 18K a year, and am contributing to helping the elderly with dementia. That being said, I believe the government wants people to have these low wage jobs, that is why they have things like EIC, to keep people off of full-blown welfare. I have a child, and spend every penny I make surviving the year. The EIC helps pay for transmission rebuilds, doctor bills, and helps us put away a little money each year for emergencies. Without EIC it would be a desperat, day-to-day situation for us-we need EIC to not fall into a well of hopelessness. We have lived the 4 years in a moldy, single wide where my daughter was so sick i had to take a month off of work to care for her. We have the 11 year old vehicle with leaky trunk, windows dont roll down, etc. I also go to college-have been for 2 1/2 years now, but it is taking its toll on family life and this may be my last quarter. What would help our family? Completion of my degree. Since that may not happen,a few more years of EIC would help so that as she enters the work world, she will be on her feet and set to raise her own family. Government assistance that is too little, too late doesnt help much. It needs to be steady and enough of a chunk that people actually can get on their feet. I make 18K a year. For the family that wrote in about making due on 100K, be glad you make what you make. I wish I could make that much. If I did, I can gaurantee I wouldnt squander it-have my house paid off in 5 years, car, etc. Don't squandor it. I only wish I could make twice what I make now, but I dont know how. Waitng hours at the welfare office to get $20 worth of food stamps is not my idea of fun. Too many of us have to do that. Have mercy on us and "teach us how to fish."

for real? 12 months ago

It's funny when complete strangers put each other down on a forum designed to help us deal with taxes. Like it or not, the law is what it is. If you disagree with a law, then stand up and do something in REAL LIFE about it. Playing judge on this forum is not worth your time. For those so angry about the comments, chill. Good grief. The internet is sometimes such a stupid place. Grow up and handle your own life and let it GO!

Michelle 12 months ago

why do people have to be haters..first of all i am a WHITE mother of 3 and recently divorced. i went from a new house and farm to living in low income housing because i had pride and pride took everything i had to pay the rent to try to stay out of government housing. It is extremely hard and depressing and depending on where you live, you cant just go out and find a job making more than minimum wage. Finding a job is hard enough. So if you havent walked in my shoes or anyone elses dont JUDGE!..most people don't choose to get government assistance. You get treated differently by those who have no clue what its like to struggle. You dont know what a person has gone through in their life to bring them 2 where they are so please step back and think about what your saying. Just like you can't judge every white person by the ignorant racist remarks, you can't judge all people getting government assistance. Some of us are trying to get away from it!

R U Serious 12 months ago

I do think it's funny that someone making 100k a year is talking about how they have the same bills as everyone else does..... Im certain that you do but at that income I'm sure your not driving anything older than a 2000 vehicle and I'm sure that your not living in a 3 br trailer, and I'm more than positive that you're not worried about your next paycheck being there so that you can pay the bills on time or even trying to catch up. If you are then you are one of the people that us college degree having, full time, minimum wage, 2nd job working, Americans want to kick in the jaw!!!!! I work a full time job, a part time job, Going to school full time, and take care of my kids! My wife goes to school full time, works part time, and takes care of our kids!

I want one of you that make 100K to come tell me to my face that I don't deserve EIC when they are taking from my check to pay their bills and in return are paying me back with interest when I now that I could use what they take from me every week! Cause the second you open your mouth will be when you need to take some of that money you make and call your lawyer, Dentist, and Doctor, and along the way dial 911 cause you're gonna need help getting me to stop beating the hell out of you!!!

If at anytime you have to complain about what bills you pay when you make 100K a year you should return half what you own and get your self a double wide.... then you can see how we live and stop complaining about what we get in our returns cause we make 26k and that's how we live. You can pretend that the extra 75k you make is your EIC!!!!

disgusted31 12 months ago

Anyway you look at it, it's just not right....lets do away with freakin taxes and see if any of us are better off. I agree that each persons situation is different, stop belittling eachother. It's ridiculous and it doesn't do any of us any good....and it's definately not getting us anymore money back on our tax returns. We all get screwed somehow, doesn't matter how hard or how little you work, if you do or do not have children, do or do not have a college education, everyone will never have enough money...no matter what way you look at it....be happy for what you have and what you have earned and accomplished. Thank You!!!:)

Kim 12 months ago

EIC is helping my family of almost 5. My husband worked his A** of last year and we made 16k. we have 2 children and 1 on the way and have definetly earned what we are getting back as a credit! i am not ashamed to say i am grateful for the eic and that my family deserves it. it is people like us that are raising a family, working all year, and doing the best we can that are qualifying for the credit. i come from a very "well off" background and never anticipated recieving the support i have needed . My husband is not offered health insurance. my 2 children under 5yrs old and myself, a pregnant woman recieve medicaid. My children would not be immunized otherwise. we recieve food stamps from the state. and have never taken advantage of the system. we are a white family. who eats on welfare.. and who will be surviving on our $8k tax return for the next year. so thanks to all the ingnorant idiots on here who think they know everything... if letting you think you are paying for my kids' milk helps you turn up your nose at others.. then here you go :) you impress no one!

Me 12 months ago

I always liked the way things were years ago when we actually paid our taxes and only got a portion back. I raised 4 children with No EIC then it was like the government started paying people to have children without a thought of if the children were really wanted. Maybe if we return to the old ways the economy would grow stronger and now that I am older I still get to pay taxes while others collect. I sure do believe the baby boomers got screwed all the way around.

Honest american  12 months ago

To all the ones who say EIC is welfare and like food stamps well go back to school you ignorant u are just jealous because u can not milk the system like the smart ones can half of Americans get help one way or the other and the ones who don't are too honest. Why should congressmen and all these politicians be whipping there ass with dollar bills when Americans cant even buy food and support there families. If they can milk the system then why cant the hard working minimum wage people do it too. Who the f*** needs millions a year lower there pay and the economy would be much better.

Johnathan 12 months ago

Some of you people are just showing how ignorant you are! It is not just YOUR tax dollars that are going to people that get the EIC or Child Tax Credit, etc. It has nothing to do with not being able to afford to have children and its certainly not welfare! Kristen- you are white trash period, especially after making that comment about black people. How do you know they are at the mall buying sneakers & cell phones unless you are right there with them doing the same damn thing, PLEASE! You mean to tell me you don't do a little shopping when you get your income taxes? Oh and why would you live in an Apartment when you can buy a house since your SOOO much better? Why didn't you just throw out the N word and really let your ignorance shine! People like you hold our country back, i feel sad for you & your pathetic life, maybe you were raised in the backwoods hills to be a racist, but maybe you should take the other poster's advise above?!?!?! I sure hope you don't and can never have children for 2 reasons. 1- So you cant pass on this hatred of other races. 2- So you dont get the Child Tax Credit since this is welfare! People- Welfare is State Assistance such as TANF, not a credit given by the IRS based on your Income you incompetent buffoons!If you don't like the way taxes are, talk to your congressmen & senators! I've got so much more to say but im not wasting anymore time on you pathetic souls!

beenthere 12 months ago

I also can't get any financial aid for school so we're paying for that too!! We really are broke, but.... working on doing better. I'd also just like to add that my parents (who I mentioned make a little over 100K together) aren't very well off either!! There really isn't much of a middle class anymore!! They pay for my baby brother's college and got him a new Mustang (he's SUCH a good kid!!) but otherwise, my dad drives a beater, my Mom drives a Nissan Versa, they live in a pretty crappy neighborhood and pay their bills on time. They get to shopping or take some pretty cool vacations every now and then, but nothing too fancy.... They have enough to do nice things for my girls now and then... But certainly are NOT rich. I see what 100K gets you, and it's not necessarily much.... (They recently let my sister and her baby move in though, and are able to take care of them.... yeah, she messed up like me) :( But that's what 100K gets you these days.... You literally have to be like a millionaire to be considered well off anymore :(

beenthere 12 months ago

My family has been on both sides of this issue. We started out with an unplanned baby and the very small income my husband made... I worked until I couldn't anymore, and once I had the baby, I decided that I'd rather live off as little income as possible than stick my precious baby in some daycare where she'd depend on people who didn't care about her for all of her needs.

That first year, we were forced to take all the help we could get; Medicaid, food stamps, and yes we also qualified for the EIC. We still were extremely poor and depended on a lot of help from our parents to get by and to do things like have a first birthday party for our baby. Things that a good mother is ashamed to ask for help for, but will do nonetheless to provide for her child.

We now, however, are in a better situation, but by no means well off. We make *just* over the amount to qualify for the EIC, and are no longer receiving any form of assistance. It makes me soooo happy to know that we are doing everything on our own with no help, even if we don't live in a super nice house or get to take lavish vacations. FURTHERMORE, I'm 100% positive that if we hadn't paid enough in taxes to cover our "handouts" before getting married and having kids (at the higher single rate we were both taxed at, me having worked two jobs for several years) then we've certainly got that "loan" paid down now. And even if we hadn't, my parents who like the commenter above make around 100K together, assured us that they'd rather their tax dollars go to support us than some other random person who was simply taking advantage and planned to do so for a lifetime.

A lot of people who receive "handouts" don't feel good about it and are working towards alternatives!! I do see what some people are upset about though, because we've gotten several comments from other people on how to maximize our tax returns, all of them at least unethical, and most of them illegal... And these are from people who lie on their returns year after year, and yeah, it does piss me off that these types of programs are so easy to take advantage of. A man who works with my husband is married to a woman who works, and they both claim head of household somehow and this man said they both receive about $7000 returns every year. Not sure how that's possible.... but I also can't see why he'd make up such an incriminating lie. A tax professional literally told us that next year, we should "act like" we've been arguing and are separated, both claim head of household, and have me claim the children alone on my income so that we can qualify for the EIC!!!! I mean, REALLY??? It kinda sucks to be right there at the limit (literally, a few hundred dollars!) because you're still obviously poor BUT just not poor enough LoL BUT it's a good thing, cuz hopefully next year we'll make a little more and keep doing better. (I'll graduate college soon too! So hopefully that'll help some....)

It's just sad that there are sooooo many people out there who DON'T think that way, and it makes me mad that there are people who lie and cheat to take advantage of this type of stuff. I mean, if you're truthful about your income and you qualify for like Medicaid for your kids or food stamps, then you definitely need them. But it makes me mad when I see this one girl I know, using her $700/month in food stamps and living with the father of her kids, but lying to the DHS saying she lives on her own and just not marrying the guy just to keep getting her handouts.... THAT'S why so many people are fed up and hate on others who get the handouts. Because I've been there and it even makes me mad. If my family can do better, ANYONE can!

wow 12 months ago

whats ironic is, i will bet that the people posting on this board that are complaining about people receiving EIC and state assistance (two very different subjects) are the same people supporting tax cuts for the wealthy and supported the war in Iraq. Billions of tax dollars, excuse me, capital loaned from other countries go to waste on over decorated state buildings covered in granite and expensive marble, tons of lobbyist pet projects and other useless embellishments like K-S1N mentioned the "war on drugs" and keeping prisoners fed and healthy; While homeless war vets starve to death and freeze on our public streets. The priorities and concerns of the average successful American in this country are so far off base from what really matters in this world it truly is sickening. We pretend we care when a tragedy like Haiti happens or when some Chilean miners are trapped, but the fact is if an issue is not beaten to death on the news and concurred upon by the masses it doesn't matter to most of us. My point is that even though you feel like "your tax dollars" are going to "these families" that are not paying enough into this precious system you hold so highly, your money is actually getting washed up in an ever expanding national debt that is effected very little by the "help" that poor people actually get. Before you complain about other people being a leech on the system maybe you should walk in there shoes for a day. Very few of them want to be where they are, most are full of shame that they can't provide for their families without help. So if our government actually wants to step in and give them a hand they'd be fools not to take it, and if you want to complain about it, write to your local politicians. Don't make people that are already beaten and dragged feel worse than they already do.

Fed Up 12 months ago

To those of you that can read, they never said struggling and the point is that they have kids and still requie the same things other kids need. A K-Sin people who put more dependent on W-4's when working get less taken out on taxes not pay more. And those who get a little more like u state often get back more than what they put in...would u mind explaining how that is fair???

K-S1N 12 months ago

By the way _ if u make 100K a year & your children need shoes _ then you are living above your means.. Now that's just F'n ridiculous.. Learn to budget.. smMFh..

K-S1N 12 months ago

I notice there are a lot of idiots & are missed informed people out there.. The fact of the matter is the government receives a free loan from us ever time they take money out of our pay checks.. Those with children get a little more because they could have been using the money the government took from them during the year to provide for there children.. Just like paying back a loan with interest.. Those without children pretty much just get what was taking from them depending on how much they make.. Some get screwed which is unfair because there are companies that make millions of dollars & get all kinds of tax breaks.. & to those of you crying about people getting government assistance _ well the money the government provides to them is just a very small drop in the bucket.. True there are those who are taking advantage _ but there is nothing wrong with helping people who need the help.. & how much money do you think the government actually gives these people..??? Cry about the money this country spends on going to war.. Cry about the money this country spends on making nuclear weapons tht we don't even use.. Cry about how the government spends around $30K a year to keep a prisoner (alot of people work & don't make that much).. Cry about the money this country spends on the so called "WAR ON DRUGS".. I read some of these post & I see why this country is in the predicament It's in because many of you are blind to the facts.. TIME TO WAKE UP PEOPLE...!!!

Really?? Again 12 months ago

100K a year and struggling? Try only 25K a year working 40 to 50 hours a week. That is the hard truth of minimum wage. Even with a college degree these days, with no leg up on the intense competition for any job opening, sadly that is the best that many can do. Stop blaming the individual working Americans that are truly doing the best they can and blame your corrupt politicians. Blame the shameful stimulus package that made sure 100's of millionaires got their "well deserved" healthy "severance packages". Blame whoever you want that took a chunk of the pie that poisoned the American dream. But blame will only irritate the situation and cause more anger and disagreement. Solutions and jobs are what is needed plain and simple.

been there done that 12 months ago

The elite have society set up in a way where the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. Everyone has a different story. If society were set up better everyone can have a better life. We need to stop paying executives millions of dollars a year and give some of that money to the little people who got that business to where it is. Not everyone on public assistance is lazy...become more educated and learn more about the disabled and people who are working two jobs to keep their heads above water. There is only a small percent of ignorant people who abuse the system. The rich are even better at abusing the system. Start pointing your fingers at our government and its policies set up years and years ago. wake up people!!

fed up 2 12 months ago

Family of 5 here and I'm still clueless how people making 38K a year - pay a few hundred in taxes - walk away with 4-8K in tax refunds? I guess the word REFUND means giving back something you gave - not giving back something someone else made?

Who's wealthy here? So because my husband and I went to college, got degrees and make a little over 100K a year we are wealthy? ROTFL. That's a joke. We have all the same bills anyone else does AND we don't get any help to do it. The people receiving these "refunds" often get help from the state already!

When people cry about being the working poor - I guess the "rich" people don't have mortgage payments? Food bills? Electric? PLEASE. My kids still need shoes, clothes JUST LIKE YOURS.

There is a million miles between the wealthy and the poor - and in between are the SUCKERS like myself - that work every single day to get ahead and get screwed by both the poor and the rich.

Enjoy my tax money people...

Realyl?? 12 months ago

EIC is going to help feed my family and keep a roof over our heads and I'm not afraid to admit it. Call it welfare if it makes you feel better about yourself. My wife and I have college degrees (mine in Civil Engineering and hers in Nursing), but because the economy is broken we don't have the jobs we expected to have after college. We just have our student loans to pay off and two daughters to support. My parents and grandparents got to live the American dream and work their way up, we don't even have the luxury of jobs that pay more than minimum wage! We are either over qualified or under-experienced in a cut-throat job market. We aren't alone, yet some people still want to look down on struggling families like mine, even though we have made every good choice we were taught to... go to school, get good grades, work hard, succeed. Except there is no succeeding for beginners any more, only surviving. It isn't our fault that the trickle down effect didn't work and that the ones that came before us broke the system so badly. But go ahead and complain about your taxes as I gladly pay mine and still struggle to survive. Whatever makes you feel good about yourself.

Fed up 12 months ago

I have no problem with people having kids, however if they cannot afford them, then why do my tax dollars need to help out? And yes I am mad, i do more than hold above water, however it's part of my $$ and don't see how you deserve it.

Monie 12 months ago

At Krista....KILL YOURSELF!!!!

Krista 12 months ago

You'll see us white people getting new apartments for our familes at tax time but u see the black ladies at the mall buying new sneakers and new cell phones for themselves. I think only white people should get earned income lol

Melhan 12 months ago

Mandatory Drug Testing for people getting Earned Income Credit. Be careful if you apply for it, the IRS will be checking.

Melhan 12 months ago

This is free money to people - taking the taxes I paid and giving it to someone else. Welfare anyway you look at it.

kstaff 12 months ago

EIC is a credit offered by our government for people who work but do not earn enough money to support there family size. It is not welfare. If wealthy people and businesses get tax credits and loopholes which save them thousands of dollars why shouldn't people who actually need them get them. Many people work 40 hours plus every week, pay their taxes and still barely get by. This does not mean they are lazy it means that minimum wage is not enough to live on by the time you add in living expenses (rent, utilities, food,gas, insurance, taxes,etc...) Our gov. recognizes this problem and offers a LEGAL way for those individuals to retain some of their earned income which means they worked for it!!! As a rule, people who earn less money are penalized all the time. They earn less money on interest in their savings accounts because they cant invest as much, they pay higher rates on insurance,car loans, home loans, credit cards, etc... because their credit is not as good. I say take all the tax credits you qualify for because it is as much your right as it is the wealthy's. Do not let trashy people make you feel less than for taking what is legally yours the wealthy take all the time!!!!!!

BTDTGB 12 months ago

To 'fed up'. You are a real low piece of s***. You know what, you ought to step back and take a real good look at your pathetic life and stop being so judgmental. Who the f*** gave you the right to tell others not to have kids. Maybe you shouldn't have had any, what do you think about that. You are just mad 'cause your barely holding above water and you don't qualify for anything. Her's a tip STOP HAVING BABIES, HOE. How you like it. Nobody wants to hear you crying like a f****** p**** !!!! Shut the hell up and get that snotty nose out of the air before you smell your own s***. Stop posting and telling the whole world about how pathetic your life is. THNKX......

chichi01 12 months ago

Jjaala the EIC says u dnt qualify if u are married filing separated. I'm kinda in a situation like that where I'm still married but not living together anymore for bout a year now. I have 2kids that we alternate. So its married but sepaRated is where we stand. So for a few years you guys were filing that and never gotten flagged. Or maybe I'm just misunderstanding the post someone answered you. Let me know how its done..I bout to file taxes and not sure which waY to go about mine. Married filing separated w kids/HOD sounds good to me if possible. Thx

fed up 12 months ago

I can't believe some of you people believe you deserve money back for paying for kids, if you con't afford them then don't have them. I have my own to take care of much less let my tax dollars go to you so you can feel better.

Erin 12 months ago

Raise a child and look at how much money you pay in. When we receive this Earned Income, we are WORKING and also pay in just like everyone else that gets their taxes done. I spend thousands and thousands of dollars every year, and the few grand I get around tax time doesn't even make up for that. I think it's funny that the people bitching are either likely to not have kids, or have a lot of money. I'm not on any state assistance, welfare, etc and the government doesn't take care of me just because they give me some extra money after working my ass off for me and my kids all year. Cheapskates.

unknown  12 months ago

hell yeah,i cant hardly survive on my pay with everything going up but my pay stays the same we should let the government take care of us. they get thier millions why not get something back

you all are bunch of assholes putting down the poor.

unknown 12 months ago

in order to get the eic you have to file head of household not married filling seperate u and your husband can file head of household and claim 2 kids each and both get the eic it kinda works for both of u

jjaala 12 months ago

I have a question? My husband and I have been seperated for 4 years and have always filed under married filing seperate, head of house hold and we each clam 2 dependents (we have 4 kids, I have 2 and he has 2). I read that to qualify for the EIC, you cannot be married filing seperate. Does anyone know if this is true? I am just wondering if they just changed the law this year or has it been like this. I read this on this page. Thanks for any info :)

Jenne 12 months ago

@theone

This is not welfare, it is a credit paid out to those who are eligible for expenses they paid through out the year. It's a benefit, for those qualified to be able to put money back into the economy for expenses which are used for their dependents.

Sorry all. I couldn't help but put this out there- I was offended by what the above wrote.

Keri 13 months ago

Elena, I am in same situation as above poster, my ex claims our children as dependents, but I recieve the EIC. The reason I recieve the EIC is because the children live with me more than 6 months of the year. EIC and dependent credit are two different things. There is a clause in there that allows the EIC to be claimed by the other parent in this situation. My taxes were done by a professional for many years, and I now do them by myself.

Elena 13 months ago

I dont know how your ex can claim both of your children and you can claim head of household?? You are supposed to have dependents to claim head of household. Those are conflicting comments. Does someone do your taxes for you?

WorkerBee 13 months ago

That does not seem calculated correctly...I earned $11,000 last year and received about $4,500 EIC (also adjusted for the childcare expenses I paid). I am head of household (ex claims our two children as his dependents because he pays his child support). He doesn't get the EIC however because I am head of household.

theone 13 months ago

What a joke.....you will be receiving welfare by getting the "earned" income tax credit. My friend paid in $1875.00 throughout the year and was GIVEN $4000.00 back. How is that not welfare?

kay 14 months ago

i believe the eic is excactly what its supposed to be if you qualify u get it if you dont then u cant

Worried mom 17 months ago

I heard that the amount that you can receive from the EIC was dropping dramatically this next tax season. Is this true?

martha mondragon 19 months ago

If a person has more than one child how is the amount determined that a person should receive on earned income credit.

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