Earned Income Credit

[Tyler]

My girlfriend and I live together with our daughter. Can we both claim EITC on her if only one of us claims her as a dependent?

[lucyinthesky]

Only one of you can claim your child, even if you’re living together. The only way you both can claim is if you’re filing a joint return (when married).

[Jess]

If she is claiming the dependent then you can file for earned income if you made under 14000 … Something like that. You don’t have to have a dependent.

[Anonymous]

Yes you can both file eic as long as you meet the qualifications and are filing as single but only 1 of you can claim your daughter….

[Tyler]

I know all of this. Can someone answer my ?

[Anonymous]

What are the qualifications for the Earned Income Credit (EIC or EITC)?
To qualify for and claim the Earned Income Credit you must:

Have earned income; and
Have been a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year; and
Have a valid Social Security number (not an ITIN) for yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and any qualifying children on your return; and
Not have investment income exceeding $3,400; and
Not be filing a Form 2555 or 2555-EZ; and
File a return with the Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower filing status, even if you’re not required to file a return.
In addition, both your earned income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) may not exceed:

$14,820 if you’re not claiming a qualifying child ($20,330 if filing jointly);
$39,131 if you’re claiming 1 qualifying child ($44,651 if filing jointly);
$44,454 if you’re claiming 2 qualifying children ($49,974 if filing jointly);
$47,747 if you’re claiming 3+ qualifying children ($53,267 if filing jointly).
One more thing – if you’re not claiming a qualifying child:

You (or your jointly filing spouse) must have been born on or after January 1, 1950; and
You (or your jointly filing spouse) must have been born on or before December 31, 1990; and
You (and your jointly filing spouse) cannot be claimed as a qualifying child or dependent on anyone else’s return

[Author]

Replies