Earned income
Allowance of credit
In general
Limitation
The amount of the credit allowable to a taxpayer under paragraph (1) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—
the credit percentage of the earned income amount, over
the phaseout percentage of so much of the adjusted gross income (or, if greater, the earned income) of the taxpayer for the taxable year as exceeds the phaseout amount.
Percentages and amounts
For purposes of subsection (a)—
Percentages
In the case of an eligible individual with: | The credit percentage is: | The phaseout percentage is: |
|---|---|---|
1 qualifying child | 34 | 15.98 |
2 qualifying children | 40 | 21.06 |
3 or more qualifying children | 45 | 21.06 |
No qualifying children | 7.65 | 7.65 |
Amounts
In general
In the case of an eligible individual with: | The earned income amount is: | The phaseout amount is: |
|---|---|---|
1 qualifying child | $6,330 | $11,610 |
2 or more qualifying children | $8,890 | $11,610 |
No qualifying children | $4,220 | $5,280 |
Joint returns
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
Eligible individual
In general
The term “eligible individual” means—
any individual who has a qualifying child for the taxable year, or
any other individual who does not have a qualifying child for the taxable year, if—
such individual’s principal place of abode is in the United States for more than one-half of such taxable year,
such individual (or, if the individual is married, either the individual or the individual’s spouse) has attained age 25 but not attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year, and
such individual is not a dependent for whom a deduction is allowable under section 151 to another taxpayer for any taxable year beginning in the same calendar year as such taxable year.
Qualifying child ineligible
Exception for individual claiming benefits under section 911
Limitation on eligibility of nonresident aliens
Identification number requirement
No credit shall be allowed under this section to an eligible individual who does not include on the return of tax for the taxable year—
such individual’s taxpayer identification number, and
if the individual is married, the taxpayer identification number of such individual’s spouse.
Earned income
The term “earned income” means—
wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation, but only if such amounts are includible in gross income for the taxable year, plus
the amount of the taxpayer’s net earnings from self-employment for the taxable year (within the meaning of section 1402(a)), but such net earnings shall be determined with regard to the deduction allowed to the taxpayer by section 164(f).
For purposes of subparagraph (A)—
the earned income of an individual shall be computed without regard to any community property laws,
no amount received as a pension or annuity shall be taken into account,
no amount to which section 871(a) applies (relating to income of nonresident alien individuals not connected with United States business) shall be taken into account,
no amount received for services provided by an individual while the individual is an inmate at a penal institution shall be taken into account,
no amount described in subparagraph (A) received for service performed in work activities as defined in paragraph (4) or (7) of section 407(d) of the Social Security Act to which the taxpayer is assigned under any State program under part A of title IV of such Act shall be taken into account, but only to the extent such amount is subsidized under such State program, and
a taxpayer may elect to treat amounts excluded from gross income by reason of section 112 as earned income.
Qualifying child
In general
Married individual
Place of abode
Identification requirements
In general
Other methods
Treatment of military personnel stationed outside the United States
Married individuals
In general
Determination of marital status
For purposes of this section—
In general
Special rule for separated spouse
An individual shall not be treated as married if such individual—
is married (as determined under section 7703(a)) and does not file a joint return for the taxable year,
resides with a qualifying child of the individual for more than one-half of such taxable year, and
during the last 6 months of such taxable year, does not have the same principal place of abode as the individual’s spouse, or
has a decree, instrument, or agreement (other than a decree of divorce) described in section 121(d)(3)(C) with respect to the individual’s spouse and is not a member of the same household with the individual’s spouse by the end of the taxable year.
Taxable year must be full taxable year
Amount of credit to be determined under tables
In general
Requirements for tables
The tables prescribed under paragraph (1) shall reflect the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) and shall have income brackets of not greater than $50 each—
for earned income between $0 and the amount of earned income at which the credit is phased out under subsection (b), and
for adjusted gross income between the dollar amount at which the phaseout begins under subsection (b) and the amount of adjusted gross income at which the credit is phased out under subsection (b).
Repealed. Pub. L. 111–226, title II, § 219(a)(2), Aug. 10, 2010, 124 Stat. 2403]
Repealed. Pub. L. 107–16, title III, § 303(c), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 55]
Denial of credit for individuals having excessive investment income
In general
Disqualified income
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “disqualified income” means—
interest or dividends to the extent includible in gross income for the taxable year,
interest received or accrued during the taxable year which is exempt from tax imposed by this chapter,
the excess (if any) of—
gross income from rents or royalties not derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business, over
the sum of—
the deductions (other than interest) which are clearly and directly allocable to such gross income, plus
interest deductions properly allocable to such gross income,
the capital gain net income (as defined in section 1222) of the taxpayer for such taxable year, and
the excess (if any) of—
the aggregate income from all passive activities for the taxable year (determined without regard to any amount included in earned income under subsection (c)(2) or described in a preceding subparagraph), over
the aggregate losses from all passive activities for the taxable year (as so determined).
For purposes of subparagraph (E), the term “passive activity” has the meaning given such term by section 469.
Inflation adjustments
In general
In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2015 (2021 in the case of the dollar amount in subsection (i)(1)), each of the dollar amounts in subsections (b)(2) and (i)(1) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof—
in the case of amounts in subsection (b)(2)(A), “calendar year 1995” for “calendar year 2016”,
in the case of the $5,000 amount in subsection (b)(2)(B), “calendar year 2008” for “calendar year 2016”, and
in the case of the $10,000 amount in subsection (i)(1), “calendar year 2020” for “calendar year 2016”.
Rounding
In general
Disqualified income threshold amount
Restrictions on taxpayers who improperly claimed credit in prior year
Taxpayers making prior fraudulent or reckless claims
In general
Disallowance period
For purposes of paragraph (1), the disallowance period is—
the period of 10 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of credit under this section was due to fraud, and
the period of 2 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of credit under this section was due to reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations (but not due to fraud).
Taxpayers making improper prior claims
Coordination with certain means-tested programs
For purposes of—
the United States Housing Act of 1937,
title V of the Housing Act of 1949,
section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965,
sections 221(d)(3), 235, and 236 of the National Housing Act, and
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,
any refund made to an individual (or the spouse of an individual) by reason of this section shall not be treated as income (and shall not be taken into account in determining resources for the month of its receipt and the following month).
Identification numbers
Special rules for individuals without qualifying children
In the case of any taxable year beginning after
Decrease in minimum age for credit
In general
Applicable minimum age
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “applicable minimum age” means—
except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, age 19,
in the case of a specified student (other than a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth), age 24, and
in the case of a qualified former foster youth or a qualified homeless youth, age 18.
Specified student
Qualified former foster youth
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified former foster youth” means an individual who—
on or after the date that such individual attained age 14, was in foster care provided under the supervision or administration of an entity administering (or eligible to administer) a plan under part B or part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (without regard to whether Federal assistance was provided with respect to such child under such part E), and
provides (in such manner as the Secretary may provide) consent for entities which administer a plan under part B or part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to disclose to the Secretary information related to the status of such individual as a qualified former foster youth.
Qualified homeless youth
Elimination of maximum age for credit
Increase in credit and phaseout percentages
Increase in earned income and phaseout amounts
In general
The table contained in subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be applied—
by substituting “$9,820” for “$4,220”, and
by substituting “$11,610” for “$5,280”.
Coordination with inflation adjustment
Source
(Added Pub. L. 94–12, title II, § 204(a),Notes
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Codification
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 6213 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Subsection (g).—
The amendment made by subsection (g) [amending section 6213 of this title] shall take effect on
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Eligible individuals.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 451 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104–193].
Qualifying children.—
The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 11111 of Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 [Pub. L. 101–508].”
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 6213 and 6695 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
The amendments made by subsections (b), (c), and (d) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Advance payment individuals.—
In the case of any individual who on or before
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Advance payment individuals.—
In the case of any individual who on or before
Effective Date of 1995 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 6109 of this title] shall apply to returns for taxable years beginning after
Exception.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to—
returns for taxable years beginning in 1995 with respect to individuals who are born after
returns for taxable years beginning in 1996 with respect to individuals who are born after
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment; Election of Prior Law
Effective and Termination Dates of 1976 Amendment
Effective and Termination Dates of 1975 Amendment
Savings Provision
Information Return Matching
Temporary Special Rule for Determining Earned Income for Purposes of Earned Income Tax Credit
In General.—
If the earned income of the taxpayer for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2021 is less than the earned income of the taxpayer for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2019, the credit allowed under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may, at the election of the taxpayer, be determined by substituting—
such earned income for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2019, for
such earned income for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2021.
Earned Income.—
In general.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘earned income’ has the meaning given such term under section 32(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Application to joint returns.—
For purposes of subsection (a), in the case of a joint return, the earned income of the taxpayer for the first taxable year beginning in 2019 shall be the sum of the earned income of each spouse for such taxable year.
Special Rules.—
Errors treated as mathematical errors.—
For purposes of section 6213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an incorrect use on a return of earned income pursuant to subsection (a) shall be treated as a mathematical or clerical error.
No effect on determination of gross income, etc.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied without regard to any substitution under subsection (a).
Treatment of Certain Possessions.—
Payments to possessions with mirror code tax systems.—
The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which has a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss (if any) to that possession by reason of the application of the provisions of this section (other than this subsection) with respect to section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the government of the respective possession.
Payments to other possessions.—
The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which does not have a mirror code tax system amounts estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as being equal to the aggregate benefits (if any) that would have been provided to residents of such possession by reason of the provisions of this section (other than this subsection) with respect to section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if a mirror code tax system had been in effect in such possession. The preceding sentence shall not apply unless the respective possession has a plan, which has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, under which such possession will promptly distribute such payments to its residents.
Mirror code tax system.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘mirror code tax system’ means, with respect to any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such possession under such system is determined by reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United States.
Treatment of payments.—
For purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this section shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section.”
Temporary Special Rule for Determination of Earned Income
In General.—
If the earned income of the taxpayer for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2020 is less than the earned income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year, the credits allowed under sections 24(d) and 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may, at the election of the taxpayer, be determined by substituting—
such earned income for the preceding taxable year, for
such earned income for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2020.
Earned Income.—
In general.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘earned income’ has the meaning given such term under section 32(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Application to joint returns.—
For purposes of subsection (a), in the case of a joint return, the earned income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year shall be the sum of the earned income of each spouse for such preceding taxable year.
Special Rules.—
Errors treated as mathematical error.—
For purposes of section 6213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an incorrect use on a return of earned income pursuant to subsection (a) shall be treated as a mathematical or clerical error.
No effect on determination of gross income, etc.—
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied without regard to any substitution under subsection (a).”
Study on Earned Income Tax Credit Certification Program
Study.—
The Internal Revenue Service shall conduct a study, as a part of any program that requires certification (including pre-certification) in order to claim the earned income tax credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, on the following matters:
The costs (in time and money) incurred by the participants in the program.
The administrative costs incurred by the Internal Revenue Service in operating the program.
The percentage of individuals included in the program who were not certified for the credit, including the percentage of individuals who were not certified due to—
ineligibility for the credit; and
failure to complete the requirements for certification.
The percentage of individuals to whom paragraph (3)(B) applies who were—
otherwise eligible for the credit; and
otherwise ineligible for the credit.
The percentage of individuals to whom paragraph (3)(B) applies who—
did not respond to the request for certification; and
responded to such request but otherwise failed to complete the requirements for certification.
The reasons—
for which individuals described in paragraph (5)(A) did not respond to requests for certification; and
for which individuals described in paragraph (5)(B) had difficulty in completing the requirements for certification.
The characteristics of those individuals who were denied the credit due to—
failure to complete the requirements for certification; and
ineligibility for the credit.
The impact of the program on non-English speaking participants.
The impact of the program on homeless and other highly transient individuals.
Report.—
Preliminary report.—
Not later than
Final report.—
Not later than