Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) are tax credits for working people who have earned a low to moderate income. You may be eligible to receive a cash refund or reduce the amount of tax you owe.

There are two EITCs: the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The amount of CalEITC you get depends on your income and family size.

You may qualify for the CalEITC if:

  • You’re at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child 
  • You have earned income of $30,950 or less

 

Number of qualifying children
California maximum income
CalEITC (up to)
Federal EITC (up to)*
Young Child Tax Credit
None
$30,950
$285
$600
$0
1
$30,950
$1,900
$3,995
$1,117
2
$30,950
$3,137
$6,604
$1,117
3 or more
$30,950
$3,529
$7,430
$1,117

 

Note:

  • Parents may qualify for other credits, too, such as the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC).
  • ITIN holders only qualify for the CalEITC and the California Young Child Tax Credit.
  • ITIN parents can claim the federal Child Tax Credit for citizen children.

Use our CalEITC calculator to see if you qualify and estimate the amount of your credit.

Federal EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for working people who have earned a low-to-moderate income. Unlike the CalEITC, only people with Social Security numbers qualify. If you qualify, you may see a reduced tax bill or a bigger refund. That’s more money in your pocket to pay for the things you need. 

You can claim the credit whether you’re single or married, or have children or not. The main requirement is that you must earn money from a job.

You qualify for the federal EITC if:

  • You (or your spouse if filing a joint return) are at least 19 or over
  • You (or your spouse if filing a joint return) and any qualifying children have a Social Security number; AND 
  • You (and your spouse if filing a joint return) have your main home in the United States for more than half of the tax year; AND
  • You (and your spouse if filing a joint return) cannot be claimed as a dependent or qualifying child on anyone else’s return; AND
  • You are not married filing separately; AND
  • Your tax year investment income is $10,000 or less; AND
  • You earned at least $1 of income and no more than:

 

The Earned Income Tax Credit in Tax Year 2023

Number of Children
Single workers with income less than
Married workers with income less than
EITC up to
3 or more children
$56,838
$63,398
$7,430
2 children
$52,918
$59,478
$6,604
1 child
$45,560
$53,120
$3,995
No children
$17,640
$24,210
$600

 

Was I eligible last year?

Did you know you can amend tax returns up to three years back if you find out you are eligible for tax credits you didn’t originally claim?

Good news; you can still get this refundable credit. Review the chart below to see if you may be eligible and find the maximum AGI, investment income and credit amounts for tax year 2022.

Children or relatives claimed
Maximum AGI (filing as Single, Head of Household, or Widowed)
Maximum AGI (filing as Married Filing Jointly)
0
$16,480
$22,610
1
$43,492
$49,622
2
$49,399
$55,529
3
$53,057
$59,187

Investment income limit: $10,300 or less

Note