The most critical and best benefit in place to aid low-to-moderate-income working families and individuals is the EITC. Not only does it decrease the taxed amount but it also, at times, can be a quite handsome return refund, and therefore becomes an important source of cash for many individuals.
$632 EITC Payout
For the year 2024, this will extend the tax credit to individuals who have no qualifying children; it will increase it to $632. This would then allow low-income workers to not experience problems with having to pay for the bare cost of living at all during their lifetime.
The EITC is structured to pay out more to families with children because they have a greater burden of financial responsibilities. Families with one qualifying child can receive up to $4,213, those with two children up to $6,960, and families with three or more qualifying children can receive up to $7,830.
$632 EITC Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit for Tax Year 2024, follow the below-mentioned guidelines:
- You had earned income for the year.
- Income Thresholds:
- The EITC has income limits based on your filing status and number of qualifying children.
- 2024 Income Limits
- No Qualifying Children:
- Single filers: $18,591 in adjusted gross income
- Joint filers: $25,511 in adjusted gross income
- One Qualifying Child:
- Single filers: Maximum AGI is $49,084
- Married filing jointly: Maximum AGI is $56,004
- Two Qualifying Children:
- Single filers: Maximum AGI is $55,768
- Married filing jointly: Maximum AGI is $62,688
- Three or More Qualifying Children:
- Single filers: Maximum AGI is $59,899
- Married filing jointly: Maximum AGI is $66,819
- You can’t be married filing separately to qualify for EITC.
- To take a child on your EITC, the child must satisfy the age requirement, the relationship requirement, and the residency requirement.
- Age: The child must be under age 19 by the end of the year, or under age 24 if a full-time student.
- Relationship: The child must be your biological or adopted child, stepchild, foster child, or a sibling or step-siblings who lived with you for more than half the year.
- The child must live with you for more than half the year.
- You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or resident alien for at least six months of the tax year.
- Your investment income, including interest and dividend income, is $10,300 or less.
How to Claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
The EITC is a huge tax relief for eligible individuals and families. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to file EITC for tax year 2024.
- There are some good tax preparation software packages, most of which have free filing for EITC-eligible individuals.
- These services guide you through the process of filing and will automatically calculate your EITC amount.
- You’ll need to gather your W-2 forms from your employers, 1099 forms if you are self-employed, Social Security numbers for yourself and any dependents, and any other relevant income documentation.
- Login to your most loved tax program, and begin inputting your data into it. The software will prompt various questions about income, deductions, and dependents.
- While navigating through the software, find a section that deals directly with tax credits.
- Select “Earned Income Tax Credit” and follow the remaining questions if you have qualifying children.
- Before filing the return, you are to ensure all information entered is correct. You have to verify whether you qualify for EITC and how much it has cost you.
- After you have verified that the information entered is correct, you then proceed to e-file your tax return.
EITC Pay-Out Amount for 2024
Tax year 2024 has provided a maximum EITC payout of $632 to taxpayers who do not have any qualifying children. It is aimed at assisting low-income workers to make ends meet.
EITC Payments by Number of Qualifying Children
The EITC provides more generous levels of support for families with qualifying children:
Number of Qualifying Children | Maximum EITC |
0 | $632 |
1 | $4,213 |
2 | $6,960 |
3 or more | $7,830 |
Effects of the EITC
The EITC greatly impacts reducing poverty and bringing about economic stability. It has proven to be a useful tool in:
- Reducing Poverty: The EITC lifts millions of Americans out of poverty every year.
- Paying for Work: EITC rewards work by paying a substantial sum of money for working.
- Benefits to Families: The EITC helps families cover essential needs in housing, food, and health care.
Eligibility and Income Limits of EITC
To qualify for the EITC, taxpayers must meet set income and filing status requirements. Income limits for tax year 2024 are structured as follows:
Qualifying Children | Single/Head of Household | Married Filing Jointly |
0 | $18,591 | $25,511 |
1 | $49,084 | $56,004 |
2 | $55,768 | $62,688 |
3 or more | $59,899 | $66,819 |
Investment Income Limit
- Also included in investment income is not the interest but the dividends other than the interest, and these must be at or below $11,600 to qualify for EITC.