Question: What is the earned income credit?
Answer: The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to working low-income individuals and families. Eligible taxpayers can get a refund check even it they owe no taxes.
The amount of the credit depends on an individual’s income (both taxable and nontaxable) and the number of qualifying children. Taxpayers must have earned income (wages, salary, tips, self-employment income, etc.) to qualify for the credit, but if their total earned income is too great, they cannot claim the EITC.
