Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator 2026

What is the earned income tax credit?

The earned income tax credit, also called the EITC or earned income credit, is a federal tax credit for people who work and meet IRS eligibility rules. This earned income credit calculator estimates the credit using your filing status, qualifying children, earned income, adjusted gross income and investment income.

A refundable credit can be paid to you even if it is more than the federal income tax you owe. Your final EITC depends on the rules that apply to your tax return, so treat this EITC calculator result as an estimate rather than a guarantee of eligibility or payment. Confirm your situation with a qualified tax professional.

Why the earned income credit matters

The EITC can affect how much money you have after filing taxes. An estimate can help you plan for bills, savings or a large purchase, and help you avoid counting on a refund before you know the amount you can claim.

Your credit changes with earned income and filing details. The credit phases in as earned income rises, reaches a maximum, and then phases out above an income threshold. For the phase-out calculation, the larger of your earned income or AGI is used. Investment income and qualifying-child status also matter to eligibility, so accurate entries are important.

Use the estimate to plan, not to change how you report income or family details. Report your tax information accurately, and ask a qualified tax professional if you are unsure how the rules apply to you.

How to use this EITC calculator

1. Choose your filing status. Use the status you expect to claim on your federal return, not a status chosen to produce a larger estimate.
2. Enter the number of qualifying children who meet IRS rules for your return. If you are unsure whether a child qualifies, check IRS guidance or ask a tax professional before relying on the estimate.
3. Enter your earned income and adjusted gross income separately. Use figures that match your tax records or a careful estimate for the tax year.
4. Enter investment income. Include the amount that applies under IRS rules; do not assume that entering zero guarantees eligibility.
5. Review the estimated credit and the figures beneath it. Check the income used, the phase-out starting point and the maximum credit shown. Update the entries if your facts change.

Earned income credit calculator example

How to read your EITC result

The estimated credit is the calculator's result for the information you entered. It is not a promise that the IRS will approve that amount. The maximum credit is the highest amount available under the calculator's assumptions for the number of qualifying children you entered.

The point where the credit reaches its maximum marks the end of the phase-in range. Above the phase-out starting point, the credit decreases as income rises. The calculator uses the larger of earned income or AGI for that phase-out comparison, so a difference between those entries can affect the estimate even when earned income stays the same.

How to improve your EITC estimate

1. 01

   Use complete income records

   Check pay statements, self-employment records and your other tax documents before entering earned income or AGI. Missing or estimated figures can make the result less useful. Update the estimate when you have better records.

2. 02

   Confirm filing and child details

   Review your filing status and whether each child meets IRS qualifying-child rules for your return. If a family or living arrangement makes the rules unclear, check IRS guidance or ask a tax professional instead of guessing.

3. 03

   Use the estimate in your cash plan

   Build your budget around money you have now, not a refund you have not received. If the estimate would fund a bill or savings goal, keep a backup plan in case your final credit is different.

4. 04

   Do not alter information to chase a larger credit

   Report income and household details accurately. If you think an entry is wrong or your eligibility is uncertain, correct the facts and get qualified tax help rather than changing a figure to increase the estimate.

Common EITC calculator mistakes

• Entering earned income as AGI

  These are separate inputs, and the calculator uses the larger amount for the phase-out calculation. Enter each figure in its own field.

• Assuming a child automatically qualifies

  The calculator uses the number of qualifying children you enter, but it cannot establish whether a child meets IRS rules. Verify the status before relying on the result.

• Treating the estimate as an approved refund

  This calculator estimates the credit from your entries. The final amount depends on your complete tax return and eligibility, so do not treat the estimate as a confirmed payment.

• Leaving investment income unchecked

  Investment income is an input for a reason. Enter the amount that applies to your situation and check IRS rules if you are unsure what to include.

The earned income credit formula

Key terms

Earned income

Income from work that is relevant to the EITC calculation. Enter the amount that applies to your tax situation.

Adjusted gross income

AGI is a federal tax-return income figure. The calculator compares it with earned income when applying the phase-out.

Qualifying child

A child who meets IRS rules for the EITC on your return. The calculator relies on the number you enter and does not verify eligibility.

Phase-in

The range where the credit increases as earned income rises, until the credit reaches its maximum.

Phase-out

The range where the credit decreases above an income threshold. The larger of earned income or AGI is used for the calculation.