About EITC

EITC is a federal tax credit for low-to-middle income working individuals and families. An individual or family making as little as $10 can qualify, but you must file an income tax return to get it - even if the IRS doesn't require filing taxes for your income level. An individual earning up to $12,880 a year or a family earning up to $41,646 per year might qualify and an EITC refund might be as much as $4,828.

If you qualify for EITC, you also qualify to have your taxes prepared for free by one of many free tax preparation sites - including many local social service offices.

The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.

For additional information regarding EITC or other VDSS Programs & Services, refer to our Web page entitled "Direct Lines for Help with Programs & Services."

• Free Tax Preparation for Those Who Qualify (audio) (MP3)
• How EITC Can Help (audio) (MP3)

Who Qualifies

If you worked in 2009 and had earned income less than: $13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly) if there is no qualifying child you may be eligible for a credit of up to $457. $35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly) if there is one qualifying child you may be eligible for a credit of up to $3,043. $40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly) if there are two qualifying children you may be eligible for a credit of up to $5,028. $43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) if there are three or more qualifying children you may be eligible for a credit of up to $5,657. The Child Tax Credit is up to $1,000 per dependent child. Families may also be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

• Eligibility Screening (Web page)
• Find Out Who Qualifies (audio) (MP3)
• Many Who Qualify for EITC Don't Take Advantage (audio) (MP3)

Find Out if You Also Qualify for a State Tax Credit

• Virginia Credit for Low Income Individuals (CLI) (Web page)

Volunteers Needed

• Volunteers Needed to Help EITC Filers with Tax Preparation (MP3)

Employer Information

Effective July 1, 2009, employers must post notices about the federal earned income tax credit and state low income credit.

• Employer Federal Poster (option 1) (PDF)
• Employer Federal Poster (option 2) (PDF)
• Employer Guide (PDF)
• Employer Resource (PDF)
• Employer State Poster (PDF)
• Employer State Poster (Spanish) (PDF)
• Employer State Poster (Spanish) B&W (PDF)
• Employer State Poster B&W (PDF)

Contact Us

For more information about EITC or CLI, e-mail eitc@dss.virginia.gov