You could owe less in taxes and get cash back from the IRS!
- If you worked in 2008 -- full-time or part-time -- you may qualify.
- Even if you don't owe income tax, you can get the tax credits.
If you had children living with you for more than half of 2008:
- For the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), children must be under 19 in 2008. (Full-time students can be under 24; children who are permanently and totally disabled can be any age.)
- For the Child Tax Credit (CTC), children must be under 17 in 2008.
If you did not have children living with you:
- You may claim the EITC if you were between the ages of 25 and 64 in 2008.
How much can I earn? How large a tax credit can I get?
| For the EITC, if you have: |
Earned income less than: |
Claim an EIC up to: |
|
1 child |
$33,995 |
$2,917 |
|
2 or more children |
$38,646 |
$4,824 |
|
No children |
$12,880 |
$438 |
| For the CTC, if you have: |
Earned more than: |
Claim a CTC up to: |
|
1 or more children |
$8,500 |
$1,000 per child | EIC income limits for married workers are $3,000 higher.
What if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Immigrants who work and meet other guidelines may qualify.
- For the EITC: worker, spouse and any child claims needs a valid Social Security Number.
- For the CTC: either a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is needed.
If you work, you can get these tax credits and not lose other public benefits.
EITC and CTC refunds won't count as income when you apply for or renew benefits like food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, cash assistance, or public housing. Some benefit programs may have a limit on how long you can keep your refund in a bank account.
You may be able to get part of your tax credit refund in your paycheck.
Some workers can get Advance EITC Payments in their paychecks and a check from the IRS after they file their tax return. Get IRS Form W-5 online at www.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM.
Choose How To File Your Tax Return
Do you want to file your tax return yourself?
- I-CAN! E-File is available to taxpayers at www.icanefile.org and, for the first time, as part of the Free File Alliance, a group of organizations that provide free tax-filing services and are listed on the Internal Revenue Service website, www.irs.gov.
- IRS Free File. IRS Free File allows on-line federal income tax preparation and e-filing through a partnership agreement between the IRS and members of the tax software industry.
Would you like someone to prepare your tax return for you? If so, these options are available to you:
- VITA -- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance -- helps people fill out tax returns for free. Trained community groups operate VITA. For a site near you call 1-800-829-1040.
- AARP Tax-Aide. This program, in partnership with the IRS and AARP, offers free tax preparation to those age 60 and older, and also to low- and moderate-income people under age 60. To find an AARP Tax-Aide site near you, call (888) 227-7669 or visit the AARP Tax-Aide website to find a location near you.
Who Qualifies to Use Services at AARP Sites: Anyone age 60 or older, regardless of income. Those under 60 years of age who are low- to moderate-income are also eligible to use the AARP tax services. | 