Does this calculator use the official IRS EIC tables?

No. It uses a simplified model based on recent thresholds and rates to provide educational estimates. For filing, you should rely on IRS tables, publication instructions, or full-featured tax software.

Can this tool determine if I am fully eligible for the EIC?

Not by itself. EIC eligibility depends on many factors such as valid Social Security numbers, residency, age, relationship tests for children, and investment income limits. This calculator focuses on the income and family-size mechanics of the credit only.

What if my AGI is higher than my earned income?

For phase-out, the IRS uses the smaller of earned income or AGI. This calculator mirrors that rule in simplified form, so if AGI is higher, earned income often drives phase-out; if earned income is higher, AGI may control.

Can I use this for past tax years?

The thresholds and maximums are modeled loosely on recent 2024/2025 numbers. For earlier years, EIC amounts and phase-out ranges differ, so this tool will not match historical tables exactly.

No. It’s an educational tool to help you understand how the earned income credit works at a high level. For personalized guidance and accurate filing, consult IRS resources or a qualified tax professional.

finance calculator

Earned Income Credit (EIC) Calculator

Estimate your earned income credit based on filing status, income, and number of qualifying children using simplified current thresholds.

Results

Estimated EIC: $3,995
Credit before phase-out: $3,995
Phase-out reduction: $0
Maximum possible credit: $3,995

How to use this calculator

Select your filing status (Single, Head of Household, or Married Filing Jointly).
Enter the number of qualifying children for EIC purposes (0–3+). If you have more than three, enter 3 to model the capped maximum credit.
Enter your earned income (wages, self‑employment, etc.) and your adjusted gross income (AGI). If you are not sure about AGI yet, use the same number as earned income as a rough starting point.
Review the estimated maximum credit, base credit before phase‑out, phase‑out reduction, and final EIC.
Adjust your income inputs (for example, adding overtime or self‑employment income) to see how moving up or down the phase‑out range changes the credit.

Inputs explained

Filing status: Your federal filing status (Single, Head of Household, or Married Filing Jointly). EIC income thresholds and maximum credits differ by filing status, with married joint filers generally having higher phase‑out thresholds.
Qualifying children: The number of qualifying children for EIC purposes based on IRS rules. The credit is capped at the 3+ level, so having more than three qualifying children does not increase the maximum beyond the 3‑child amount.
Earned income: Income from work, such as wages, salaries, tips, and net self‑employment income. The EIC is based on earned income and phases in as your earned income rises up to a maximum.
Adjusted gross income (AGI): Your AGI is a broader measure of income after certain adjustments. For EIC phase‑out, the IRS uses the lesser of earned income or AGI; this calculator follows that rule in simplified form. If AGI is higher than earned income, it may drive the phase‑out.

How it works

The EIC has two main stages: a phase‑in where the credit grows with earned income, and a phase‑out where the credit shrinks as income rises above certain thresholds.

First, the calculator looks at your earned income and the number of qualifying children to compute a base credit using simplified 2024/2025‑style phase‑in rules and maximum credit amounts.

Next, it compares your earned income and AGI and uses the lower of the two for phase‑out purposes, because the IRS uses the lesser of earned income or AGI when applying phase‑out thresholds.

If your phase‑out income is below the threshold for your filing status and number of children, the full base credit is allowed. Once income exceeds the threshold, the calculator reduces the credit using a simplified phase‑out rate until it reaches zero.

The outputs show the maximum possible credit for your situation, the base credit before phase‑out, the estimated reduction from phase‑out, and the final credit after phase‑out.

Because we use a simplified table, the numbers are intended as educational estimates and should be verified with official IRS tools or tax software for filing.

Formula

Conceptually, the EIC is calculated in three steps:\n\n1. Phase-in: Base credit grows with earned income up to a maximum, based on a phase-in rate and income thresholds by number of qualifying children and filing status.\n2. Maximum plateau: Once earned income reaches the plateau range, the credit stays at the maximum for that family size until phase-out begins.\n3. Phase-out: When the lesser of earned income or AGI exceeds the phase-out threshold, the credit is reduced using a phase-out rate until it reaches zero.\n\nThis calculator applies simplified phase-in and phase-out rates and thresholds modeled on recent EIC tables to approximate base credit, phase-out reduction, and final credit.

When to use it

Seeing whether you are likely to qualify for the earned income credit at all and getting a rough idea of the size of the credit.
Testing how working more hours, taking on a second job, or increasing self‑employment income could change your EIC through the phase‑in and phase‑out ranges.
Helping plan year‑end strategies (for example, retirement contributions or income timing) to avoid pushing income too far into the phase‑out range.
Providing a quick estimate for financial coaching, budgeting, or tax education sessions without walking through the full IRS EIC worksheets.
Comparing scenarios with and without additional qualifying children to understand how family changes might affect EIC eligibility and amounts.

Tips & cautions

If your AGI is higher than your earned income, it is often AGI that controls the phase‑out; entering both numbers accurately will give a better estimate.
Run multiple scenarios—for example, with and without overtime, or with part‑time income added—to see how EIC might change as your income moves up or down.
Remember that investment income limits and certain disallowance rules (for example, previous EIC errors) can disqualify you even if your income and children would otherwise qualify.
Treat the output as a ballpark figure; use official IRS tools, tax software, or a tax professional to compute your exact EIC when you file.
Keep in mind that EIC rules and thresholds change over time; always select the correct filing year when using a more detailed tool.
Uses a simplified version of EIC phase‑in and phase‑out rules modeled on recent 2024/2025 thresholds; it does not match IRS tables exactly for every filing year.
Does not check all eligibility conditions such as valid Social Security numbers, residency requirements, age rules for workers without children, or disallowance due to prior‑year issues.
Does not enforce investment income limits or other less common EIC restrictions that can disqualify an otherwise eligible taxpayer.
Not suitable for final filing decisions; always verify EIC amounts against official IRS tables, publication instructions, or qualified tax software.

Worked examples

Single filer with one qualifying child and moderate income

Filing status = Single, Qualifying children = 1, Earned income = $20,000, AGI = $20,000.
The calculator estimates a base credit that increases with income in the phase-in range, up to a maximum for one child.
At this income level, you may be near or within the plateau, so little or no phase-out reduction is applied.
Result: a substantial EIC that boosts your refund or reduces your tax, shown as the estimated credit output.

Married filing jointly with two qualifying children and higher income

Filing status = Married Filing Jointly, Qualifying children = 2, Earned income = $45,000, AGI = $45,000.
The model first computes a maximum credit for two children, then applies phase-out once income exceeds the married-filing-joint threshold.
Phase-out reduction grows with each dollar over the threshold, trimming the credit until it reaches zero at higher incomes.
Result: a reduced but still meaningful EIC, along with a clear view of how much the phase-out has shaved off the base credit.

Worker without qualifying children

Filing status = Single, Qualifying children = 0, Earned income and AGI in a lower range.
The calculator uses the childless EIC rates and thresholds, which produce a smaller maximum credit than for filers with children.
As income rises past the childless phase-out threshold, the credit quickly phases out to zero.
Result: a modest EIC estimate at lower incomes and a clear demonstration of how quickly the credit disappears as income grows.

Deep dive

Use this earned income credit (EIC) calculator to estimate your credit based on filing status, number of qualifying children, earned income, and AGI using simplified current thresholds.

See your maximum possible EIC, base credit before phase‑out, estimated phase‑out reduction, and final credit so you can understand how income changes impact your refund.

Ideal for quick EIC eligibility checks, budgeting, and tax education before you dive into detailed IRS worksheets or full tax software.

FAQs

Does this calculator use the official IRS EIC tables?: No. It uses a simplified model based on recent thresholds and rates to provide educational estimates. For filing, you should rely on IRS tables, publication instructions, or full-featured tax software.
Can this tool determine if I am fully eligible for the EIC?: Not by itself. EIC eligibility depends on many factors such as valid Social Security numbers, residency, age, relationship tests for children, and investment income limits. This calculator focuses on the income and family-size mechanics of the credit only.
What if my AGI is higher than my earned income?: For phase-out, the IRS uses the smaller of earned income or AGI. This calculator mirrors that rule in simplified form, so if AGI is higher, earned income often drives phase-out; if earned income is higher, AGI may control.
Can I use this for past tax years?: The thresholds and maximums are modeled loosely on recent 2024/2025 numbers. For earlier years, EIC amounts and phase-out ranges differ, so this tool will not match historical tables exactly.
Is this tax advice?: No. It’s an educational tool to help you understand how the earned income credit works at a high level. For personalized guidance and accurate filing, consult IRS resources or a qualified tax professional.

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This earned income credit calculator uses a simplified model of EIC phase-in and phase-out rules and is intended for educational and planning purposes only. It does not incorporate all eligibility tests, investment income limits, or year-specific IRS table details and should not be relied upon to prepare or file a tax return. Always verify your actual EIC using official IRS guidance, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.