Publication 17 (2011), Your Federal Income Tax

35. Earned Income Credit (EIC)

Table of Contents

What's New

Earned income amount is more. The maximum amount of income you can earn and still get the credit has increased. You may be able to take the credit if:

You have three or more qualifying children and you earned less than $43,998 ($49,078 if married filing jointly),
You have two qualifying children and you earned less than $40,964 ($46,044 if married filing jointly),
You have one qualifying child and you earned less than $36,052 ($41,132 if married filing jointly), or
You do not have a qualifying child and you earned less than $13,660 ($18,740 if married filing jointly).

Your adjusted gross income also must be less than the amount in the above list that applies to you. For details, see Rules 1 and 15.

Investment income amount is more. The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,150. See Rule 6.

Reminders

Advance earned income credit no longer allowed. You can no longer get advance payments of the credit in your pay during the year as you could in 2010 and earlier years. This is because the law has changed. However, if you are eligible, you will still be able to claim the credit on your return, as explained in this chapter.

Increased EIC on certain joint returns. A married person filing a joint return may get more EIC than someone with the same income but a different filing status. As a result, the EIC table has different columns for married persons filing jointly than for everyone else. When you look up your EIC in the EIC Table, be sure to use the correct column for your filing status and the number of children you have.

Online help. You can use the EITC Assistant at www.irs.gov/eitc to find out if you are eligible for the credit. The EITC Assistant is available in English and Spanish.

EIC questioned by IRS. The IRS may ask you to provide documents to prove you are entitled to claim the EIC. We will tell you what documents to send us. These may include: birth certificates, school records, medical records, etc. We will also send you a letter with the name, address, and telephone number of the IRS employee assigned to your case. The process of establishing your eligibility will delay your refund.

Introduction

The earned income credit (EIC) is a tax credit for certain people who work and have less than $49,078 of earned income. A tax credit usually means more money in your pocket. It reduces the amount of tax you owe. The EIC may also give you a refund.

How do you get the earned income credit? To claim the EIC, you must:

Qualify by meeting certain rules, and
File a tax return, even if you:
1. Do not owe any tax,
2. Did not earn enough money to file a return, or
3. Did not have income taxes withheld from your pay.

When you complete your return, you can figure your EIC by using a worksheet in the instructions for Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ. Or, if you prefer, you can let the IRS figure the credit for you.

How will this chapter help you? This chapter will explain the following.

The rules you must meet to qualify for the EIC.
How to figure the EIC.

Useful Items - You may want to see:

Publication

596 Earned Income Credit (EIC)

Form (and Instructions)

Schedule EIC Earned Income Credit (Qualifying Child Information)
8862 Information To Claim Earned Income Credit After Disallowance

Do You Qualify for the Credit?

To qualify to claim the EIC, you must first meet all of the rules explained in Part A, Rules for Everyone . Then you must meet the rules in Part B, Rules If You Have a Qualifying Child , or Part C, Rules If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Child . There is one final rule you must meet in Part D, Figuring and Claiming the EIC . You qualify for the credit if you meet all the rules in each part that applies to you.

If you have a qualifying child, the rules in Parts A, B, and D apply to you.
If you do not have a qualifying child, the rules in Parts A, C, and D apply to you.

Table 35-1, Earned Income Credit in a Nutshell. Use Table 35-1 as a guide to Parts A, B, C, and D. The table is a summary of all the rules in each part.

Do you have a qualifying child? You have a qualifying child only if you have a child who meets the four tests described in Rule 8 and illustrated in Figure 35-1.

If Improper Claim Made in Prior Year

If your EIC for any year after 1996 was denied or reduced for any reason other than a math or clerical error, you must attach a completed Form 8862 to your next tax return to claim the EIC. You must also qualify to claim the EIC by meeting all the rules described in this chapter.

However, if your EIC was denied or reduced as a result of a math or clerical error, do not attach Form 8862 to your next tax return. For example, if your arithmetic is incorrect, the IRS can correct it. If you do not provide a correct social security number, the IRS can deny the EIC. These kinds of errors are called math or clerical errors.

If your EIC for any year after 1996 was denied and it was determined that your error was due to reckless or intentional disregard of the EIC rules, then you cannot claim the EIC for the next 2 years. If your error was due to fraud, then you cannot claim the EIC for the next 10 years.

More information. See chapter 5 in Publication 596 for more detailed information about the disallowance period and Form 8862.

Part A. Rules for Everyone

This part of the chapter discusses Rules 1 through 7. You must meet all seven rules to qualify for the earned income credit. If you do not meet all seven rules, you cannot get the credit and you do not need to read the rest of the chapter.

If you meet all seven rules in this part, then read either Part B or Part C (whichever applies) for more rules you must meet.

Rule 1. Your AGI Must Be Less Than:

$43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children,
$40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children,
$36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or
$13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.

Adjusted gross income (AGI). AGI is the amount on line 38 (Form 1040), line 22 (Form 1040A), or line 4 (Form 1040EZ). If your AGI is equal to or more than the applicable limit listed above, you cannot claim the EIC.

Example.

Your AGI is $36,550, you are single, and you have one qualifying child. You cannot claim the EIC because your AGI is not less than $36,052. However, if your filing status was married filing jointly, you might be able to claim the EIC because your AGI is less than $41,132.

Community property. If you are married, but qualify to file as head of household under special rules for married taxpayers living apart (see Rule 3 ), and live in a state that has community property laws, your AGI includes that portion of both your and your spouse's wages that you are required to include in gross income. This is different from the community property rules that apply under Rule 7 .

Rule 2. You Must Have a Valid Social Security Number (SSN)

To claim the EIC, you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) must have a valid SSN issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Any qualifying child listed on Schedule EIC also must have a valid SSN. (See Rule 8 if you have a qualifying child.)

If your social security card (or your spouse's if filing a joint return) says “Not valid for employment” and your SSN was issued so that you (or your spouse) could get a federally funded benefit, you cannot get the EIC. An example of a federally funded benefit is Medicaid.

If you have a card with the legend “Not valid for employment” and your immigration status has changed so that you are now a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ask the SSA for a new social security card without the legend.

U. S. citizen. If you were a U. S. citizen when you received your SSN, you have a valid SSN.

Valid for work only with INS or DHS authorization. If your social security card reads “Valid for work only with INS authorization,” or “Valid for work only with DHS authorization,” you have a valid SSN.

SSN missing or incorrect. If an SSN for you or your spouse is missing from your tax return or is incorrect, you may not get the EIC.

Other taxpayer identification number. You cannot get the EIC if, instead of an SSN, you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) have an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). ITINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service to noncitizens who cannot get an SSN.

No SSN. If you do not have a valid SSN, put “No” next to line 64a (Form 1040), line 38a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ). You cannot claim the EIC.

Getting an SSN. If you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) do not have an SSN, you can apply for one by filing Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, with the SSA. You can get Form SS-5 online at www.socialsecurity.gov, from your local SSA office, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Filing deadline approaching and still no SSN. If the filing deadline is approaching and you still do not have an SSN, you have two choices.

Request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return. You can get this extension by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. For more information, see chapter 1 .
File the return on time without claiming the EIC. After receiving the SSN, file an amended return (Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) claiming the EIC. Attach a filled-in Schedule EIC if you have a qualifying child.

Table 35-1. Earned Income Credit in a Nutshell

First, you must meet all the rules in this column.		Second, you must meet all the rules in one of these columns, whichever applies.		Third, you must meet the rule in this column.
Part A. Rules for Everyone		Part B. Rules If You Have a Qualifying Child	Part C. Rules If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Child	Part D. Figuring and Claiming the EIC
1. Your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be less than: • $43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children, • $40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children, • $36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or • $13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.	2. You must have a valid social security number. 3. Your filing status cannot be “Married filing separately.” 4. You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year. 5. You cannot file Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ (relating to foreign earned income). 6. Your investment income must be $3,150 or less. 7. You must have earned income.	8. Your child must meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests. 9. Your qualifying child cannot be used by more than one person to claim the EIC. 10. You cannot be a qualifying child of another person.	11. You must be at least age 25 but under age 65. 12. You cannot be the dependent of another person. 13. You cannot be a qualifying child of another person. 14. You must have lived in the United States more than half of the year.	15. Your earned income must be less than: • $43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children, • $40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children, • $36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or • $13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.

Rule 3. Your Filing Status Cannot Be Married Filing Separately

If you are married, you usually must file a joint return to claim the EIC. Your filing status cannot be “Married filing separately.”

Spouse did not live with you. If you are married and your spouse did not live in your home at any time during the last 6 months of the year, you may be able to file as head of household, instead of married filing separately. In that case, you may be able to claim the EIC. For detailed information about filing as head of household, see chapter 2 .

Rule 4. You Must Be a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien All Year

If you (or your spouse, if married) were a nonresident alien for any part of the year, you cannot claim the earned income credit unless your filing status is married filing jointly. You can use that filing status only if one spouse is a U.S. citizen or resident alien and you choose to treat the nonresident spouse as a U.S. resident. If you make this choice, you and your spouse are taxed on your worldwide income. If you (or your spouse, if married) were a nonresident alien for any part of the year and your filing status is not married filing jointly, enter “No” on the dotted line next to line 64a (Form 1040) or in the space to the left of line 38a (Form 1040A). If you need more information on making this choice, get Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.

Rule 5. You Cannot File Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ

You cannot claim the earned income credit if you file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income, or Form 2555-EZ, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. You file these forms to exclude income earned in foreign countries from your gross income, or to deduct or exclude a foreign housing amount. U.S. possessions are not foreign countries. See Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, for more detailed information.

Rule 6. Your Investment Income Must Be $3,150 or Less

You cannot claim the earned income credit unless your investment income is $3,150 or less. If your investment income is more than $3,150, you cannot claim the credit. For most people, investment income is the total of the following amounts.

Taxable interest (line 8a of Form 1040 or 1040A).
Tax-exempt interest (line 8b of Form 1040 or 1040A).
Dividend income (line 9a of Form 1040 or 1040A).
Capital gain net income (line 13 of Form 1040, if more than zero, or line 10 of Form 1040A).

If you file Form 1040EZ, your investment income is the total of the amount of line 2 and the amount of any tax-exempt interest you wrote to the right of the words “Form 1040EZ” on line 2.

However, see Rule 6 in chapter 1 of Publication 596 if:

You are filing Schedule E (Form 1040), Form 4797, or Form 8814, or
You are reporting income from the rental of personal property on Form 1040, line 21.

Rule 7. You Must Have Earned Income

This credit is called the “earned income” credit because, to qualify, you must work and have earned income. If you are married and file a joint return, you meet this rule if at least one spouse works and has earned income. If you are an employee, earned income includes all the taxable income you get from your employer. If you are self-employed or a statutory employee, you will figure your earned income on EIC Worksheet B in the instructions for Form 1040.

Earned Income

Earned income includes all of the following types of income.

Wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay. Employee pay is earned income only if it is taxable. Nontaxable employee pay, such as certain dependent care benefits and adoption benefits, is not earned income. But there is an exception for nontaxable combat pay, which you can choose to include in earned income, as explained below.
Net earnings from self-employment.
Gross income received as a statutory employee.

Wages, salaries, and tips. Wages, salaries, and tips you receive for working are reported to you on Form W-2, in box 1. You should report these on line 1 (Form 1040EZ) or line 7 (Forms 1040A and 1040).

Nontaxable combat pay election. You can elect to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the earned income credit. Electing to include nontaxable combat pay in earned income may increase or decrease your EIC. Figure the credit with and without your nontaxable combat pay before making the election. If you make the election, you must include in earned income all nontaxable combat pay you received. If you are filing a joint return and both you and your spouse received nontaxable combat pay, you can each make your own election. The amount of your nontaxable combat pay should be shown in box 12 of your Form W-2 with code “Q”.

Self-employed persons and statutory employees. If you are self-employed or received income as a statutory employee, you must use the Form 1040 instructions to see if you qualify to get the EIC.

Approved Form 4361 or Form 4029

This section is for persons who have an approved:

Form 4361, Application for Exemption From Self-Employment Tax for Use by Ministers, Members of Religious Orders and Christian Science Practitioners, or
Form 4029, Application for Exemption From Social Security and Medicare Taxes and Waiver of Benefits.

Each approved form exempts certain income from social security taxes. Each form is discussed here in terms of what is or is not earned income for the EIC.

Form 4361. Even if you have an approved Form 4361, amounts you received for performing ministerial duties as an employee count as earned income. This includes wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee compensation. A nontaxable housing allowance or the nontaxable rental value of a home is not earned income. Also, amounts you received for performing ministerial duties, but not as an employee, do not count as earned income. Examples include fees for performing marriages and honoraria for delivering speeches.

Form 4029. Even if you have an approved Form 4029, all wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee compensation count as earned income. However, amounts you received as a self-employed individual do not count as earned income. Also, in figuring earned income, do not subtract losses on Schedule C, C-EZ, or F from wages on line 7 of Form 1040.

Disability Benefits

If you retired on disability, taxable benefits you receive under your employer's disability retirement plan are considered earned income until you reach minimum retirement age. Minimum retirement age generally is the earliest age at which you could have received a pension or annuity if you were not disabled. You must report your taxable disability payments on line 7 of either Form 1040 or Form 1040A until you reach minimum retirement age.

Beginning on the day after you reach minimum retirement age, payments you receive are taxable as a pension and are not considered earned income. Report taxable pension payments on Form 1040, lines 16a and 16b (or Form 1040A, lines 12a and 12b).

Disability insurance payments. Payments you received from a disability insurance policy that you paid the premiums for are not earned income. It does not matter whether you have reached minimum retirement age. If this policy is through your employer, the amount may be shown in box 12 of your Form W-2 with code “J.”

Income That Is Not Earned Income

Examples of items that are not earned income include interest and dividends, pensions and annuities, social security and railroad retirement benefits (including disability benefits), alimony and child support, welfare benefits, workers' compensation benefits, unemployment compensation (insurance), nontaxable foster care payments, and veterans' benefits, including VA rehabilitation payments. Do not include any of these items in your earned income.

Earnings while an inmate. Amounts received for work performed while an inmate in a penal institution are not earned income when figuring the earned income credit. This includes amounts for work performed while in a work release program or while in a halfway house.

Workfare payments. Nontaxable workfare payments are not earned income for the EIC. These are cash payments certain people receive from a state or local agency that administers public assistance programs funded under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in return for certain work activities such as (1) work experience activities (including remodeling or repairing public housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available, or (2) community service program activities.

Community property. If you are married, but qualify to file as head of household under special rules for married taxpayers living apart (see Rule 3 ), and live in a state that has community property laws, your earned income for the EIC does not include any amount earned by your spouse that is treated as belonging to you under those laws. That amount is not earned income for the EIC, even though you must include it in your gross income on your income tax return. Your earned income includes the entire amount you earned, even if part of it is treated as belonging to your spouse under your state's community property laws.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments. If you were receiving social security retirement benefits or social security disability benefits at the time you received any CRP payments, your CRP payments are not earned income for the EIC.

Nontaxable military pay. Nontaxable pay for members of the Armed Forces is not considered earned income for the EIC. Examples of nontaxable military pay are combat pay, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). See Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide, for more information.

Combat pay. You can elect to include your nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the EIC. See Nontaxable combat pay election, earlier.

Part B. Rules If You Have a Qualifying Child

If you have met all of the rules in Part A , read Part B to see if you have a qualifying child.

Part B discusses Rules 8 through 10. You must meet all three of these rules, in addition to the rules in Parts A and D , to qualify for the earned income credit with a qualifying child.

Please click here for the text description of the image.

Qualifying child

You must file Form 1040 or Form 1040A to claim the EIC with a qualifying child. (You cannot file Form 1040EZ.) You also must complete Schedule EIC and attach it to your return. If you meet all the rules in Part A and this part, read Part D to find out what to do next.

If you do not meet Rule 8, you do not have a qualifying child. Read Part C to find out if you can get the earned income credit without a qualifying child.

Rule 8. Your Child Must Meet the Relationship, Age, Residency, and Joint Return Tests

Your child is a qualifying child if your child meets four tests. The four tests are:

Relationship,
Age,
Residency, and
Joint return.

The four tests are illustrated in Figure 35-1. The paragraphs that follow contain more information about each test.

Relationship Test

To be your qualifying child, a child must be your:

Son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild), or
Brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your niece or nephew).

The following definitions clarify the relationship test.

Adopted child. An adopted child is always treated as your own child. The term “adopted child” includes a child who was lawfully placed with you for legal adoption.

Foster child. For the EIC, a person is your foster child if the child is placed with you by an authorized placement agency or by judgement, decree, or other order of any court of competent jurisdiction. An authorized placement agency includes a state or local government agency. It also includes a tax-exempt organization licensed by a state. In addition, it includes an Indian tribal government or an organization authorized by an Indian tribal government to place Indian children.

Example.

Debbie, who is 12 years old, was placed in your care 2 years ago by an authorized agency responsible for placing children in foster homes. Debbie is your foster child.

Age Test

Your child must be:

Under age 19 at the end of 2011 and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly),
Under age 24 at the end of 2011, a student, and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly), or
Permanently and totally disabled at any time during 2011, regardless of age.

The following examples and definitions clarify the age test.

Example 1.

Your son turned 19 on December 10. Unless he was permanently and totally disabled or a student, he is not a qualifying child because, at the end of the year, he was not under age 19.

Example 2.

Your 23-year-old brother, who is a full-time student and unmarried, lives with you and your spouse. He is not disabled. Both you and your spouse are 21 years old and you file a joint return. Your brother is not your qualifying child because he is not younger than you or your spouse.

Example 3.

The facts are the same as in Example 2 except that your spouse is 25 years old. Because your brother is younger than your spouse, he is your qualifying child even though he is not younger than you.

Student defined. To qualify as a student, your child must be, during some part of each of any 5 calendar months during the calendar year:

A full-time student at a school that has a regular teaching staff, course of study, and regular student body at the school, or
A student taking a full-time, on-farm training course given by a school described in (1), or a state, county, or local government.

The 5 calendar months need not be consecutive.

A full-time student is a student who is enrolled for the number of hours or courses the school considers to be full-time attendance.

School defined. A school can be an elementary school, junior or senior high school, college, university, or technical, trade, or mechanical school. However, on-the-job training courses, correspondence schools, and schools offering courses only through the Internet do not count as schools for the EIC.

Vocational high school students. Students who work in co-op jobs in private industry as a part of a school's regular course of classroom and practical training are considered full-time students.

Permanently and totally disabled. Your child is permanently and totally disabled if both of the following apply.

He or she cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental condition.
A doctor determines the condition has lasted or can be expected to last continuously for at least a year or can lead to death.

Residency Test

Your child must have lived with you in the United States for more than half of 2011. The following definitions clarify the residency test.

United States. This means the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It does not include Puerto Rico or U.S. possessions such as Guam.

Homeless shelter. Your home can be any location where you regularly live. You do not need a traditional home. For example, if your child lived with you for more than half the year in one or more homeless shelters, your child meets the residency test.

Military personnel stationed outside the United States. U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States on extended active duty are considered to live in the United States during that duty period for purposes of the EIC.

Extended active duty. Extended active duty means you are called or ordered to duty for an indefinite period or for a period of more than 90 days. Once you begin serving your extended active duty, you are still considered to have been on extended active duty even if you do not serve more than 90 days.

Birth or death of a child. A child who was born or died in 2011 is treated as having lived with you for all of 2011 if your home was the child's home the entire time he or she was alive in 2011.

Temporary absences. Count time that you or your child is away from home on a temporary absence due to a special circumstance as time the child lived with you. Examples of a special circumstance include illness, school attendance, business, vacation, military service, and detention in a juvenile facility.

Kidnapped child. A kidnapped child is treated as living with you for more than half of the year if the child lived with you for more than half the part of the year before the date of the kidnapping. The child must be presumed by law enforcement authorities to have been kidnapped by someone who is not a member of your family or your child's family. This treatment applies for all years until the child is returned. However, the last year this treatment can apply is the earlier of:

The year there is a determination that the child is dead, or
The year the child would have reached age 18.

If your qualifying child has been kidnapped and meets these requirements, enter “KC,” instead of a number, on line 6 of Schedule EIC.

Joint Return Test

To meet this test, the child cannot file a joint return for the year.

Example.

You supported your 18-year-old daughter, and she lived with you all year while her husband was in the Armed Forces. The couple files a joint return. Because your daughter filed a joint return, she is not your qualifying child.

Exception. An exception to the joint return test applies if your child and his or her spouse file a joint return only as a claim for refund.

Example 1.

Your 18-year-old son and his 17-year-old wife had $800 of wages from part-time jobs and no earned income. They do not have a child. Neither is required to file a tax return. Taxes were taken out of their pay, so they filed a joint return only to get a refund of the withheld taxes. The exception to the joint return test applies, so your son may be your qualifying child if all the other tests are met.

Example 2.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except no taxes were taken out of your son's pay. He and his wife are not required to file a tax return, but they file a joint return to claim an American opportunity credit of $124 and get a refund of that amount. They file the return to get the American opportunity credit, so they are not filing it only as a claim for refund. The exception to the joint return test does not apply, so your son is not your qualifying child.

Married child. Even if your child does not file a joint return, if your child was married at the end of the year, he or she cannot be your qualifying child unless:

You can claim an exemption for the child, or
The reason you cannot claim an exemption for the child is that you let the child's other parent claim the exemption under the Special rule for divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart , described later.

Social security number. The qualifying child must have a valid social security number (SSN) unless the child was born and died in 2011 and you attach to your return a copy of the child's birth certificate, death certificate, or hospital records showing a live birth. You cannot claim the EIC on the basis of a qualifying child if:

The qualifying child's SSN is missing from your tax return or is incorrect,
The qualifying child's social security card says “Not valid for employment” and was issued for use in getting a federally funded benefit, or
Instead of an SSN, the qualifying child has:
1. An individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), which is issued to a noncitizen who cannot get an SSN, or
2. An adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), which is issued to adopting parents who cannot get an SSN for the child being adopted until the adoption is final.

If you have more than one qualifying child and only one has a valid SSN, you can claim the EIC only on the basis of that child. For more information about SSNs, see Rule 2 .

Rule 9. Your Qualifying Child Cannot Be Used By More Than One Person To Claim the EIC

Sometimes a child meets the tests to be a qualifying child of more than one person. Although the child meets the tests to be a qualifying child of each of these persons, only one person can actually treat the child as a qualifying child. Only that person can use the child as a qualifying child to take all of the following tax benefits (provided the person is eligible for each benefit).

The exemption for the child.
The child tax credit.
Head of household filing status.
The credit for child and dependent care expenses.
The exclusion for dependent care benefits.
The EIC.

The other person cannot take any of these benefits based on this qualifying child. In other words, you and the other person cannot agree to divide these tax benefits between you. The other person cannot take any of these tax benefits unless he or she has a different qualifying child.

The tiebreaker rules explained next explain who, if anyone, can claim the EIC when more than one person has the same qualifying child. However, the tiebreaker rules do not apply if the other person is your spouse and you file a joint return.

Tiebreaker rules. To determine which person can treat the child as a qualifying child to claim the six tax benefits just listed, the following tiebreaker rules apply.

If only one of the persons is the child's parent, the child is treated as the qualifying child of the parent.
If the parents do not file a joint return together but both parents claim the child as a qualifying child, the IRS will treat the child as the qualifying child of the parent with whom the child lived for the longer period of time during the year. If the child lived with each parent for the same amount of time, the IRS will treat the child as the qualifying child of the parent who had the higher adjusted gross income (AGI) for the year.
If no parent can claim the child as a qualifying child, the child is treated as the qualifying child of the person who had the highest AGI for the year.
If a parent can claim the child as a qualifying child but no parent does so claim the child, the child is treated as the qualifying child of the person who had the highest AGI for the year, but only if that person's AGI is higher than the highest AGI of any of the child's parents who can claim the child. If the child's parents file a joint return with each other, this rule can be applied by treating the parents' total AGI as divided evenly between them. See Example 8 .

Subject to these tiebreaker rules, you and the other person may be able to choose which of you claims the child as a qualifying child. See Examples 1 through 13 .

If you cannot claim the EIC because your qualifying child is treated under the tiebreaker rules as the qualifying child of another person for 2011, you may be able to take the EIC using a different qualifying child, but you cannot take the EIC using the rules in Part C for people who do not have a qualifying child.

If the other person cannot claim the EIC. If you and someone else have the same qualifying child but the other person cannot claim the EIC because he or she is not eligible or his or her earned income or AGI is too high, you may be able to treat the child as a qualifying child. See Examples 6 and 7 . But you cannot treat the child as a qualifying child to claim the EIC if the other person uses the child to claim any of the other six tax benefits listed earlier.

Examples. The following examples may help you in determining whether you can claim the EIC when you and someone else have the same qualifying child.

Example 1.

You and your 2-year-old son Jimmy lived with your mother all year. You are 25 years old, unmarried, and your AGI is $9,000. Your only income was $9,000 from a part-time job. Your mother's only income was $20,000 from her job, and her AGI is $20,000. Jimmy's father did not live with you or Jimmy. The special rule explained later for divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart does not apply. Jimmy is a qualifying child of both you and your mother because he meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and your mother. However, only one of you can treat him as a qualifying child to claim the EIC (and the other tax benefits listed earlier for which that person qualifies). He is not a qualifying child of anyone else, including his father. If you do not claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can treat him as a qualifying child to claim the EIC (and any of the other tax benefits listed earlier for which she qualifies).

Example 2.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except your AGI is $25,000. Because your mother's AGI is not higher than yours, she cannot claim Jimmy as a qualifying child. Only you can claim him.

Example 3.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you and your mother both claim Jimmy as a qualifying child. In this case, you as the child's parent will be the only one allowed to claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC and the other tax benefits listed earlier for which you qualify. The IRS will disallow your mother's claim to the EIC and any other tax benefits listed earlier unless she has another qualifying child.

Example 4.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you also have two other young children who are qualifying children of both you and your mother. Only one of you can claim each child. However, if your mother's AGI is higher than yours, you can allow your mother to claim one or more of the children. For example, if you claim one child, your mother can claim the other two.

Example 5.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you are only 18 years old. This means you are a qualifying child of your mother. Because of Rule 10 discussed next, you cannot claim the EIC and cannot claim Jimmy as a qualifying child. Only your mother may be able to treat Jimmy as a qualifying child to claim the EIC. If your mother meets all the other requirements for claiming the EIC and you do not claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can claim both you and Jimmy as qualifying children for the EIC.

Example 6.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that your mother earned $50,000 from her job. Because your mother's earned income is too high for her to claim the EIC, only you can claim the EIC using your son.

Example 7.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you earned $50,000 from your job and your AGI is $50,500. Your earned income is too high for you to claim the EIC. But your mother cannot claim the EIC either, because her AGI is not higher than yours.

Example 8.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you and Jimmy's father are married to each other, live with Jimmy and your mother, and have an AGI of $30,000 on a joint return. If you and your husband do not claim Jimmy as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, your mother can claim him instead. Even though the AGI on your joint return, $30,000, is more than your mother's AGI of $20,000, for this purpose half of the joint AGI can be treated as yours and half as your husband's. In other words, each parent's AGI can be treated as $15,000.

Example 9.

You, your husband, and your 10-year-old son Joey lived together until August 1, 2011, when your husband moved out of the household. In August and September, Joey lived with you. For the rest of the year, Joey lived with your husband, who is Joey's father. Joey is a qualifying child of both you and your husband because he lived with each of you for more than half the year and because he met the relationship, age, and joint return tests for both of you. At the end of the year, you and your husband still were not divorced, legally separated, or separated under a written separation agreement, so the special rule for divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart does not apply.

You and your husband will file separate returns. Your husband agrees to let you treat Joey as a qualifying child. This means, if your husband does not claim Joey as a qualifying child for any of the tax benefits listed earlier, you can claim him as a qualifying child for any tax benefit listed for which you qualify. However, your filing status is married filing separately, so you cannot claim the EIC or the credit for child and dependent care expenses. See Rule 3 .

Example 10.

The facts are the same as in Example 9 except that you and your husband both claim Joey as a qualifying child. In this case, only your husband will be allowed to treat Joey as a qualifying child. This is because, during 2011, the boy lived with him longer than with you. You cannot claim the EIC (either with or without a qualifying child). However, your husband's filing status is married filing separately, so he cannot claim the EIC or the credit for child and dependent care expenses. See Rule 3 .

Example 11.

You, your 5-year-old son and your son's father lived together all year. You and your son's father are not married. Your son is a qualifying child of both you and his father because he meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and his father. Your earned income and AGI are $12,000, and your son's father's earned income and AGI are $14,000. Neither of you had any other income. Your son's father agrees to let you treat the child as a qualifying child. This means, if your son's father does not claim your son as a qualifying child for the EIC or any of the other tax benefits listed earlier, you can claim him as a qualifying child for the EIC and any other tax benefits listed for which you qualify.

Example 12.

The facts are the same as in Example 11 except that you and your son's father both claim your son as a qualifying child. In this case, only your son's father will be allowed to treat your son as a qualifying child. This is because his AGI, $14,000, is more than your AGI, $12,000. You cannot claim the EIC (either with or without a qualifying child).

Example 13.

You and your 7-year-old niece, your sister's child, lived with your mother all year. You are 25 years old, and your AGI is $9,300. Your only income was from a part-time job. Your mother's AGI is $15,000. Her only income was from her job. Your niece's parents file jointly, have an AGI of less than $9,000, and do not live with you or their child. Your niece is a qualifying child of both you and your mother because she meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for both you and your mother. However, only your mother can treat her as a qualifying child. This is because your mother's AGI, $15,000, is more than your AGI, $9,300.

Special rule for divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart. A child will be treated as the qualifying child of his or her noncustodial parent (for purposes of claiming an exemption and the child tax credit, but not for the EIC) if all of the following apply.

The parents:
1. Are divorced or legally separated under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance,
2. Are separated under a written separation agreement, or
3. Lived apart at all times during the last 6 months of 2011, whether or not they are or were married.
The child received over half of his or her support for the year from the parents.
The child is in the custody of one or both parents for more than half of 2011.
Either of the following statements is true.
1. The custodial parent signs Form 8332 or a substantially similar statement that he or she will not claim the child as a dependent for the year, and the noncustodial parent attaches the form or statement to his or her return. If the divorce decree or separation agreement went into effect after 1984 and before 2009, the noncustodial parent may be able to attach certain pages from the decree or agreement instead of Form 8332.
2. A pre-1985 decree of divorce or separate maintenance or written separation agreement that applies to 2011 provides that the noncustodial parent can claim the child as a dependent, and the noncustodial parent provides at least $600 for support of the child during 2011.

For details, see chapter 3. Also see Applying Rule 9 to divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart , next.

Applying Rule 9 to divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart. If a child is treated as the qualifying child of the noncustodial parent under the special rule just described for children of divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart, only the noncustodial parent can claim an exemption and the child tax credit for the child. However, the custodial parent, if eligible, or another eligible taxpayer, can claim the child as a qualifying child for the EIC and other tax benefits listed earlier in this chapter. If the child is the qualifying child of more than one person for these benefits, then the tiebreaker rules determine which person can treat the child as a qualifying child.

Example 1.

You and your 5-year-old son lived all year with your mother, who paid the entire cost of keeping up the home. Your AGI is $10,000. Your mother’s AGI is $25,000. Your son's father did not live with you or your son. Under the special rule for children of divorced or separated parents or parents who live apart, your son is treated as the qualifying child of his father, who can claim an exemption and the child tax credit for the child. However, your son's father cannot claim your son as a qualifying child for head of household filing status, the credit for child and dependent care expenses, the exclusion for dependent care benefits, or the EIC. You and your mother did not have any child care expenses or dependent care benefits. If you do not claim your son as a qualifying child, your mother can claim him as a qualifying child for the EIC and head of household filing status, if she qualifies for these tax benefits.

Example 2.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that your AGI is $25,000 and your mother's AGI is $21,000. Your mother cannot claim your son as a qualifying child for any purpose because her AGI is not higher than yours.

Example 3.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that you and your mother both claim your son as a qualifying child for the EIC. Your mother also claims him as a qualifying child for head of household filing status. You as the child's parent will be the only one allowed to claim your son as a qualifying child for the EIC. The IRS will disallow your mother's claim to the EIC and head of household filing status unless she has another qualifying child.

Rule 10. You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer

You are a qualifying child of another taxpayer (your parent, guardian, foster parent, etc.) if all of the following statements are true.

You are that person's son, daughter, stepchild, grandchild, or foster child. Or, you are that person's brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister (or the child or grandchild of that person's brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister).
You were:
1. Under age 19 at the end of the year and younger than that person (or that person's spouse, if the person files jointly),
2. Under age 24 at the end of the year, a student, and younger than that person (or that person's spouse, if the person files jointly), or
3. Permanently and totally disabled, regardless of age.
You lived with that person in the United States for more than half of the year.
You are not filing a joint return for the year (or are filing a joint return only as a claim for refund).

For more details about the tests to be a qualifying child, see Rule 8 .

If you (or your spouse, if filing a joint return) are a qualifying child of another taxpayer, you cannot claim the EIC. This is true even if the person for whom you are a qualifying child does not claim the EIC or meet all of the rules to claim the EIC. Put “No” beside line 64a (Form 1040) or line 38a (Form 1040A).

Example.

You and your daughter lived with your mother all year. You are 22 years old, unmarried, and attended a trade school full time. You had a part-time job and earned $5,700. You had no other income. Because you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests, you are a qualifying child of your mother. She can claim the EIC if she meets all the other requirements. Because you are your mother's qualifying child, you cannot claim the EIC. This is so even if your mother cannot or does not claim the EIC.

Child of person not required to file a return. You are not the qualifying child of another taxpayer (and so may qualify to claim the EIC) if your parent (or other person for whom you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests) is not required to file an income tax return and either:

Does not file an income tax return, or
Files a return only to get a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.

Example.

The facts are the same as in the last example except your mother had no gross income, is not required to file a 2011 tax return, and does not file a 2011 tax return. As a result, you are not your mother's qualifying child. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements to do so.

See Rule 10 in Publication 596 for additional examples.

Part C. Rules If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Child

Read this part if you:

Do not have a qualifying child, and
Have met all the rules in Part A .

Part C discusses Rules 11 through 14. You must meet all four of these rules, in addition to the rules in Parts A and D , to qualify for the earned income credit without a qualifying child.

If you have a qualifying child, the rules in this part do not apply to you. You can claim the credit only if you meet all the rules in Parts A, B, and D. See Rule 8 to find out if you have a qualifying child.

Rule 11. You Must Be at Least Age 25 but Under Age 65

You must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2011. If you are married filing a joint return, either you or your spouse must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2011. It does not matter which spouse meets the age test, as long as one of the spouses does.

If neither you nor your spouse meets the age test, you cannot claim the EIC. Put “No” next to line 64a (Form 1040), line 38a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ).

Death of spouse. If you are filing a joint return with your spouse who died in 2011, you meet the age test if your spouse was at least age 25 but under age 65 at the time of death.

Example 1.

You are age 28 and unmarried. You meet the age test.

Example 2.

You are married and filing a joint return. You are age 23 and your spouse is age 27. You meet the age test because your spouse is at least age 25 but under age 65.

Example 3.

You are married and filing a joint return with your spouse who died in August 2011. You are age 67. Your spouse would have been age 65 in November 2011. Because your spouse was under age 65 when she died, you meet the age test.

Rule 12. You Cannot Be the Dependent of Another Person

If you are not filing a joint return, you meet this rule if:

You checked box 6a on Form 1040 or 1040A, or
You did not check the “You” box on line 5 of Form 1040EZ, and you entered $9,500 on that line.

If you are filing a joint return, you meet this rule if:

You checked both box 6a and box 6b on Form 1040 or 1040A, or
You and your spouse did not check either the “You” box or the “Spouse” box on line 5 of Form 1040EZ, and you entered $19,000 on that line.

If you are not sure whether someone else can claim you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) as a dependent, read the rules for claiming a dependent in chapter 3.

If someone else can claim you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) as a dependent on his or her return, but does not, you still cannot claim the credit.

Example 1.

In 2011, you were age 25, single, and living at home with your parents. You worked and were not a student. You earned $7,500. Your parents cannot claim you as a dependent. When you file your return, you claim an exemption for yourself by not checking the “You” box on line 5 of your Form 1040EZ and by entering $9,500 on that line. You meet this rule. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements.

Example 2.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 , except that you earned $2,000. Your parents can claim you as a dependent but decide not to. You do not meet this rule. You cannot claim the credit because your parents could have claimed you as a dependent.

Joint returns. You generally cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person if you are married and file a joint return.

However, another person may be able to claim you as a dependent if you and your spouse file a joint return merely as a claim for refund and no tax liability would exist for either you or your spouse on separate returns. But neither you nor your spouse can be claimed as a dependent by another person if you claim the EIC on your joint return.

Example 1.

You are 18 years old. You and your 17-year-old wife live with your parents and had $800 of wages from part-time jobs and no other income. Neither you nor your wife is required to file a tax return. You do not have a child. Taxes were taken out of your pay, so you file a joint return only to get a refund of the withheld taxes. Your parents are not disqualified from claiming an exemption for you just because you filed a joint return. They can claim exemptions for you and your wife if all the other tests to do so are met. If they can claim an exemption for you, you cannot claim the EIC.

Example 2.

The facts are the same as in Example 1 except no taxes were taken out of your pay. Also, you and your wife are not required to file a tax return, but you file a joint return to claim an EIC of $155 and get a refund of that amount. You file the return to get the EIC, so you are not filing it only as a claim for refund. Your parents cannot claim an exemption for either you or your wife.

Rule 13. You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer

You are a qualifying child of another taxpayer (your parent, guardian, foster parent, etc.) if all of the following statements are true.

You are that person's son, daughter, stepchild, grandchild, or foster child. Or, you are that person's brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister (or the child or grandchild of that person's brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister).
You were:
1. Under age 19 at the end of the year and younger than that person (or that person's spouse, if the person files jointly),
2. Under age 24 at the end of the year, a student (as defined in Rule 8 ), and younger than that person (or that person's spouse, if the person files jointly), or
3. Permanently and totally disabled, regardless of age.
You lived with that person in the United States for more than half of the year.
You are not filing a joint return for the year (or are filing a joint return only as a claim for refund).

For more details about the tests to be a qualifying child, see Rule 8 .

If you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) are a qualifying child of another taxpayer, you cannot claim the EIC. This is true even if the person for whom you are a qualifying child does not claim the EIC or meet all of the rules to claim the EIC. Put “No” next to line 64a (Form 1040), line 38a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ).

Example.

You lived with your mother all year. You are age 26, unmarried, and permanently and totally disabled. Your only income was from a community center where you went three days a week to answer telephones. You earned $5,000 for the year and provided more than half of your own support. Because you meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests, you are a qualifying child of your mother for the EIC. She can claim the EIC if she meets all the other requirements. Because you are a qualifying child of your mother, you cannot claim the EIC. This is so even if your mother cannot or does not claim the EIC.

Joint returns. You generally cannot be a qualifying child of another person if you are married and file a joint return.

However, you may be a qualifying child of another person if you and your spouse file a joint return for the year merely as a claim for refund and no tax liability would exist for either you or your spouse on separate returns. But neither you nor your spouse can be a qualifying child of another person if you claim the EIC on your joint return.

See Rule 13 in Publication 596 for examples.

Does not file an income tax return, or
Files a return only to get a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid.

Example.

You lived all year with your father. You are 27 years old, unmarried, permanently disabled, and earned $13,000. You have no other income, no children, and provided more than half of your own support. Your father had no gross income, is not required to file a 2011 tax return, and does not file a 2011 tax return. As a result, you are not your father's qualifying child. You can claim the EIC if you meet all the other requirements to do so.

See Rule 13 in Publication 596 for additional examples.

Rule 14. You Must Have Lived in the United States More Than Half of the Year

Your home (and your spouse's, if filing a joint return) must have been in the United States for more than half the year.

If it was not, put “No” next to line 64a (Form 1040), line 38a (Form 1040A), or line 8a (Form 1040EZ).

United States. This means the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It does not include Puerto Rico or U.S. possessions such as Guam.

Homeless shelter. Your home can be any location where you regularly live. You do not need a traditional home. If you lived in one or more homeless shelters in the United States for more than half the year, you meet this rule.

Military personnel stationed outside the United States. U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States on extended active duty (defined in Rule 8 ), are considered to live in the United States during that duty period for purposes of the EIC.

Part D. Figuring and Claiming the EIC

Read this part if you have met all the rules in Parts A and B, or all the rules in Parts A and C.

Part D discusses Rule 15 . You must meet this rule, in addition to the rules in Parts A and B , or Parts A and C , to qualify for the earned income credit.

This part of the chapter also explains how to figure the amount of your credit. You have two choices.

Have the IRS figure the EIC for you. If you want to do this, see IRS Will Figure the EIC for You .
Figure the EIC yourself. If you want to do this, see How To Figure the EIC Yourself .

Rule 15. Your Earned Income Must Be Less Than:

$43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children,
$40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children,
$36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or
$13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.

Earned income generally means wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee pay, and net earnings from self-employment. Employee pay is earned income only if it is taxable. Nontaxable employee pay, such as certain dependent care benefits and adoption benefits, is not earned income. But there is an exception for nontaxable combat pay, which you can choose to include in earned income. Earned income is explained in detail in Rule 7 .

Figuring earned income. If you are self-employed, a statutory employee, or a member of the clergy or a church employee who files Schedule SE (Form 1040), you will figure your earned income when you fill out Part 4 of EIC Worksheet B in the Form 1040 instructions.

Otherwise, figure your earned income by using the worksheet in Step 5 of the Form 1040 instructions for lines 64a and 64b or the Form 1040A instructions for lines 38a and 38b, or the worksheet in Step 2 of the Form 1040EZ instructions for lines 8a and 8b.

When using one of those worksheets to figure your earned income, you will start with the amount on line 7 (Form 1040 or Form 1040A) or line 1 (Form 1040EZ). You will then reduce that amount by any amount included on that line and described in the following list.

Scholarship or fellowship grants not reported on a Form W-2,
Inmate's income, and
Pension or annuity from deferred compensation plans.

Scholarship or fellowship grants not reported on a Form W-2. A scholarship or fellowship grant that was not reported to you on a Form W-2 is not considered earned income for the earned income credit.

Inmate's income. Amounts received for work performed while an inmate in a penal institution are not earned income for the earned income credit. This includes amounts received for work performed while in a work release program or while in a halfway house. If you received any amount for work done while an inmate in a penal institution and that amount is included in the total on line 7 (Form 1040 or Form 1040A) or line 1 (Form 1040EZ), put “PRI” and the amount on the dotted line next to line 7 (Form 1040), in the space to the left of the entry space for line 7 (Form 1040A), or in the space to the left of line 1 (Form 1040EZ).

Pension or annuity from deferred compensation plans. A pension or annuity from a nonqualified deferred compensation plan or a nongovernmental section 457 plan is not considered earned income for the earned income credit. If you received such an amount and it was included in the total on line 7 (Form 1040 or Form 1040A) or line 1 (Form 1040EZ), put “DFC” and the amount on the dotted line next to line 7 (Form 1040), in the space to the left of the entry space for line 7 (Form 1040A), or in the space to the left of line 1 (Form 1040EZ). This amount may be reported in box 11 of your Form W-2. If you received such an amount but box 11 is blank, contact your employer for the amount received as a pension or annuity.

Clergy. If you are a member of the clergy who files Schedule SE and the amount on line 2 of that schedule includes an amount that was also reported on line 7 (Form 1040), subtract that amount from the amount on line 7 (Form 1040) and enter the result in the first space of the worksheet in Step 5 of the Form 1040 instructions for lines 64a and 64b. Put “Clergy” on the dotted line next to line 64a (Form 1040).

Church employees. A church employee means an employee (other than a minister or member of a religious order) of a church or qualified church-controlled organization that is exempt from employer social security and Medicare taxes. If you received wages as a church employee and included any amount on both line 5a of Schedule SE and line 7 (Form 1040), subtract that amount from the amount on line 7 (Form 1040) and enter the result in the first space of the worksheet in Step 5 of the Form 1040 instructions for lines 64a and 64b.

IRS Will Figure the EIC for You

If you want the IRS to figure the amount of your EIC, see chapter 29.

How To Figure the EIC Yourself

To figure the EIC yourself, use the EIC Worksheet in the instructions for the form you are using (Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ). If you have a qualifying child, complete schedule EIC and attach it to your return.

Special Instructions for Form 1040 Filers

If you file Form 1040, you will need to decide whether to use EIC Worksheet A or EIC Worksheet B to figure the amount of your EIC. This section explains how to use these worksheets and how to report the EIC on your return.

EIC Worksheet A. Use EIC Worksheet A if you were not self-employed at any time in 2011 and are not a member of the clergy, a church employee who files Schedule SE, or a statutory employee filing Schedule C or C-EZ.

EIC Worksheet B. Use EIC Worksheet B if you were self-employed at any time in 2011 or are a member of the clergy, a church employee who files Schedule SE, or a statutory employee filing Schedule C or C-EZ. If any of the following situations apply to you, read the paragraph and then complete EIC Worksheet B.

Net earnings from self-employment $400 or more. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, be sure to correctly fill out Schedule SE (Form 1040) and pay the proper amount of self-employment tax. If you do not, you may not get all the EIC you are entitled to.

When figuring your net earnings from self-employment, you must claim all your allowable business expenses.

When to use the optional methods of figuring net earnings. Using the optional methods of Schedule SE to figure your net earnings from self-employment may qualify you for the EIC or give you a larger credit. If your net earnings (without using the optional methods) are less than $4,480, see the instructions for Schedule SE for details about the optional methods.

More information. If you and your spouse both have self-employment income or either of you is a statutory employee, see How To Figure the EIC Yourself in Publication 596.

Examples

The following two comprehensive examples (complete with filled-in forms) may be helpful.

John and Janet Smith, a married couple with one qualifying child and using Form 1040A.
Kelly Green, age 30, a student, with no qualifying child and using Form 1040EZ.

Example 1. John and Janet Smith (Form 1040A)

John and Janet Smith are married and will file a joint return. They have one child, Amy, who is 3 years old. Amy lived with John and Janet for all of 2011. John worked and earned $9,500. Janet worked part of the year and earned $1,500. Their earned income and AGI are $11,000. John and Janet qualify for the earned income credit and fill out the EIC Worksheet and Schedule EIC. The Smiths will attach Schedule EIC to Form 1040A when they send their completed return to the IRS.

They took the following steps to complete Schedule EIC and the EIC Worksheet.

Completing Schedule EIC

The Smiths complete Schedule EIC because they have a qualifying child. They enter “John and Janet Smith” and John's SSN (the SSN that appears first on their Form 1040A) on the line at the top of Schedule EIC. The Smiths then fill out Qualifying Child Information (lines 1 – 6).

Completing the EIC Worksheet

Next, the Smiths will complete the EIC Worksheet to figure their earned income credit.

Line 1. The Smiths enter $11,000 (their earned income).

Line 2. The Smiths go to the Earned Income Credit Table in the Form 1040A instructions. The Smiths find their income of $11,000 within the range of $11,000 to $11,050. They follow this line across to the column that describes their filing status and number of children and find $3,094. They enter $3,094 on line 2.

Line 3. The Smiths enter their AGI of $11,000.

Line 4. The Smiths check the “Yes” box because lines 1 and 3 are the same ($11,000). They skip line 5 and enter the amount from line 2 ($3,094) on line 6.

Line 6. The Smiths' EIC is $3,094.

This image is too large to be displayed in the current screen. Please click the link to view the image.

Smith's Schedule EIC

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Smith's EIC Worksheet

Example 2. Kelly Green (Form 1040EZ)

Kelly Green is age 30 and a full-time student. She lived with her parents in the United States for all of 2011. She had a part-time job and earned $6,240. She earned $20 interest on a savings account. She is not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on her parents' return. Although she lived with her parents, she is not their qualifying child because she does not meet the age test. She does not have any children.

Kelly qualifies for the earned income credit. Kelly will file Form 1040EZ and complete the EIC Worksheet.

Completing the EIC Worksheet

Kelly figures the amount of her earned income credit on the EIC Worksheet as follows.

Line 1. She enters $6,240 (her earned income).

Line 2. Kelly goes to the Earned Income Credit Table in the forms instruction booklet. She finds her earned income of $6,240 in the range of $6,200 to $6,250. Kelly follows this line across to the column that describes her filing status and finds $464. She enters $464 on line 2.

Line 3. Kelly enters $6,260 (her AGI).

Line 4. Kelly checks the “No” box because lines 1 and 3 are not the same.

Line 5. Kelly checks the “Yes” box because the amount on line 3 ($6,260) is less than $7,500. She leaves line 5 blank and enters the amount from line 2, $464, on line 6.

Line 6. She enters $464 here and on Form 1040EZ, line 9a. Kelly's earned income credit is $464.

Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet—Lines 8a and 8b


1.	Enter your earned income from Step 2 on page 14			1.	6,240
2.	Look up the amount on line 1 above in the EIC Table on page 16 to find the credit. Be sure you use the correct column for your filing status (Single or Married filing jointly).
	Enter the credit here					2.	464
	If line 2 is zero, You cannot take the credit. Enter “No” in the space to the left of line 8a.
3.	Enter the amount from Form 1040EZ, line 4			3.	6,260
4.	Are the amounts on lines 3 and 1 the same?
		Yes.	Skip line 5; enter the amount from line 2 on line 6.
	☑	No.	Go to line 5.
5.	Is the amount on line 3 less than $7,600 ($12,700 if married filing jointly)?
	☑	Yes.	Leave line 5 blank; enter the amount from line 2 on line 6.
		No.	Look up the amount on line 3 in the EIC Table on page 16 to find the credit. Be sure you use the correct column for your filing status (Single or Married filing jointly).
			Enter the credit here			5.
			Look at the amounts on lines 5 and 2. Then, enter the smaller amount on line 6.

6.	Earned income credit. Enter this amount on Form 1040EZ, line 8a					6.	464
			If your EIC for a year after 1996 was reduced or disallowed, see above to find out if you must file Form 8862 to take the credit for 2011.

EIC Eligibility Checklist

You may claim the EIC if you answer “Yes” to all the following questions.*
			Yes	No
1.	Is your AGI less than: $13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child, $36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, $40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children, or $43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have more than two qualifying children? (See Rule 1 .)		□	□
2.	Do you, your spouse, and your qualifying child each have a valid SSN? (See Rule 2 .)		□	□
3.	Is your filing status married filing jointly, head of household, qualifying widow(er), or single? (See Rule 3 .) Caution: If you or your spouse is a nonresident alien, answer “Yes” only if your filing status is married filing jointly. (See Rule 4 .)		□	□
4.	Answer “Yes” if you are not filing Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ. Otherwise, answer “No.” (See Rule 5 .)		□	□
5.	Is your investment income $3,150 or less? (See Rule 6 .)		□	□
6.	Is your total earned income at least $1 but less than: $13,660 ($18,740 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child, $36,052 ($41,132 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, $40,964 ($46,044 for married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children, or $43,998 ($49,078 for married filing jointly) if you have more than two qualifying children? (See Rules 7 and 15 .)		□	□
7.	Answer “Yes” if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) are not a qualifying child of another taxpayer. Otherwise, answer “No.” (See Rules 10 and 13 .)		□	□
	STOP:	If you have a qualifying child, answer questions 8 and 9 and skip 10 – 12. If you do not have a qualifying child, skip questions 8 and 9 and answer 10 – 12.*
8.	Does your child meet the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for a qualifying child? (See Rule 8 .)		□	□
9.	Is your child a qualifying child only for you? Answer “Yes” if (a) your qualifying child does not meet the tests to be a qualifying child of any other person or (b) your qualifying child meets the tests to be a qualifying child of another person but you are the person entitled to treat the child as a qualifying child under the tiebreaker rules explained in Rule 9 . Answer “No” if the other person is the one entitled to treat the child as a qualifying child under the tiebreaker rules.		□	□
10.	Were you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) at least age 25 but under 65 at the end of 2011? (See Rule 11 .)		□	□
11.	Answer “Yes” if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else's return. Answer “No” if you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. (See Rule 12 .)		□	□
12.	Was your main home (and your spouse's if filing a joint return) in the United States for more than half the year? (See Rule 14 .)		□	□
*	PERSONS WITH A QUALIFYING CHILD: If you answered “Yes” to questions 1 through 9, you can claim the EIC. Remember to fill out Schedule EIC and attach it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040A. You cannot use Form 1040EZ. If you answered “Yes” to questions 1 through 7 and “No” to question 8, answer questions 10 through 12 to see if you can claim the EIC without a qualifying child.
	PERSONS WITHOUT A QUALIFYING CHILD: If you answered “Yes” to questions 1 through 7, and 10 through 12, you can claim the EIC.
	If you answered “No” to any question that applies to you: You cannot claim the EIC.

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