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EITC Calculator 2026

Your estimated 2026 earned income tax credit — maximum credit by number of children ($664 / $4,427 / $7,316 / $8,231), phase-in and phase-out, income ranges, investment-income and age checks — confirmed against Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

✅ Figures verified. 2026 earned income credit amounts — earned-income amounts, maximum credits ($664 / $4,427 / $7,316 / $8,231), phase-out thresholds and the $12,200 investment-income limit — confirmed against Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.06 on 8 October 2026.
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Maximum credit for your family size—
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In short

The 2026 earned income credit is worth up to $664 with no children, $4,427 with one, $7,316 with two and $8,231 with three or more, phasing in at 7.65–45% of earned income and phasing out from $10,860–23,890 of income ($18,140–31,160 joint) until it disappears at $19,540–62,974 ($26,820–70,244 joint). Investment income over $12,200 disqualifies you; childless workers must be 25–64. The credit is fully refundable.

Who this is for: Low- and moderate-income US workers and families checking their 2026 earned income credit.

Not tax or legal advice. Estimate using the statutory formula; the IRS EITC table rounds in $50 steps, so the actual credit may differ by a few dollars. Residency, SSN and qualifying-child rules apply.
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2026 earned income credit parameters

ChildrenMax creditEarned income for maxPhase-out starts (other / joint)Gone at (other / joint)
0$664$8,680$10,860 / $18,140$19,540 / $26,820
1$4,427$13,020$23,890 / $31,160$51,593 / $58,863
2$7,316$18,290$23,890 / $31,160$58,629 / $65,899
3+$8,231$18,290$23,890 / $31,160$62,974 / $70,244
  • The credit phases in at 7.65% (no children), 34%, 40% or 45% of earned income, plateaus, then phases out at 7.65%, 15.98% or 21.06%.
  • Investment income above $12,200 disqualifies you entirely.
  • Childless workers must be 25–64; there is no age limit with qualifying children.
  • The EITC is refundable: a family owing $0 of tax still receives the full amount, and it stacks with the child tax credit.
  • About one in five eligible workers never claims it — if your income is in the ranges above, file even if you are not required to.

See also: US Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026.

Sources: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.06; IRS — Earned Income Tax Credit. Checked 8 October 2026.

Assumptions

  • Credit = min(max credit, phase-in rate × earned income) − phase-out rate × (greater of earned income or AGI above the threshold).
  • Phase-in and phase-out rates derived from the Rev. Proc. 2025-32 amounts; the IRS table rounds in $50 steps.
  • Investment income over $12,200 or age outside 25–64 (no children) → no credit.

Worked example

Head of household, two children, $28,000 of wages, no investment income

Phase-in: 40% × $28,000 would exceed the maximum, so the credit starts at the full $7,316. Phase-out: income is $4,110 over the $23,890 threshold, reducing the credit by 21.06% × $4,110 = $866, leaving about $6,450 — fully refundable. The same family would receive the maximum between $18,290 and $23,890 of income, and nothing from $58,629 up. A married couple filing jointly with the same income is under the $31,160 joint threshold and would get the full $7,316.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for the EITC in 2026?

Workers with earned income under $51,593–$70,244 depending on children and filing status (under $19,540 / $26,820 with no children), investment income of $12,200 or less, a valid SSN, and US residency for over half the year.

Is the EITC refundable?

Yes, fully — it is paid as a refund even if you owe no tax. Refunds including EITC are held until mid-February under the PATH Act.

Does self-employment income count?

Yes — net earnings from self-employment are earned income. Losses reduce it.

Can I claim EITC with no children?

Yes if you are 25–64 at year end, up to $664 in 2026, with income below $19,540 ($26,820 joint).

Why is my refund delayed?

By law the IRS cannot issue refunds that include EITC or the additional child tax credit before mid-February, to allow income matching.

Can a grandparent claim EITC for a grandchild?

Yes if the child lived with them more than half the year and no parent claims the child — tie-breaker rules apply when more than one person qualifies.

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Written by the Swift IT Sols editorial team · SWIFT SOLSRules sourced from the official authorities named on this page and last checked How we source and check calculators

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