What is the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit?

If you expect to be eligible for the EITC this year and to have a qualifying child, you may be eligible to start getting part of the credit with your pay now. You cannot get the Advance EITC if you do not have a qualifying child, even if you expect to be eligible to claim the EITC on your federal income tax return. To receive part of the credit with your pay, you must give your employer a Form W-5. You must also file a federal income tax return.

Am I eligible for Advance EITC?

You are eligible for Advance EITC if:

• You have a valid Social Security number.
• You have a qualifying child that has lived with you for at least 6 months.
• You have earned income. This does not include alimony, child support, welfare benefits, unemployment benefits, interest, dividends, pensions, and certain workforce payments.

Please note that the amount of income that you can earn to be eligible for the EITC is adjusted each year. Please contact the IRS for income information.

What benefits can I receive under Advance EITC?

The amount you can get in advance generally depends on your wages. If you are married, the amount of your advance EITC payments also depends on whether your spouse has filed a Form W-5 with his or her employer. However, your employers cannot give you more than $1,563 throughout the tax year. You will get the rest of any EITC you are entitled to when you file your federal income tax return and claim the EITC. If you do not choose to get advance EITC, you can still claim the EITC on your federal income tax return. Rules and examples can be found in IRS Publication 596. A free copy of this application form and the IRS Publication is available on the following web site: www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at: 1-800-829-3676, or you can call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 for assistance.

Will EITC be used to determine my eligibility for other government programs?

Any refund you receive as a result of taking the EITC will not be used to determine your eligibility for, or how much you can receive from, the following programs:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Medicaid and supplemental security income (SSI)
• Food stamps and housing assistance