Earned Income Credit (EITC) Calculator 2026
Estimate your earned income tax credit (EITC) for 2026 — a refundable credit worth up to $8,231 for working families and up to $664 for workers without children. Enter your earned income, filing status, and number of qualifying children, and the calculator shows your credit and where you stand on the income range.
Because the EITC is refundable, you receive it even if you owe no income tax. It rises as you earn more, levels off at a maximum, and then phases out at higher incomes — the chart shows that shape for your family size.
Calculator
Estimated 2026 earned income credit
$3,770
Refundable — paid even if you owe no tax
- Maximum credit
- $4,427
- Max reached at earned income of
- $13,020
- Phase-out begins
- $23,890
- Credit ends at about
- $51,593
You’re in the phase-out range: the credit shrinks as income rises and ends at about $51,593.
How the credit changes with income
2026 amounts from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Computed by formula; the IRS EIC tables use $50 income bands and can differ by a few dollars. You, your spouse, and each child need a valid SSN, and children must meet the relationship, age, and residency tests. Married filing separately generally can’t claim the credit.
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Calculation Formulas
The credit grows with each dollar earned until it reaches the maximum.
Phase-out rates are 7.65%, 15.98%, 21.06%, and 21.06%. The threshold is higher for joint filers.
Example:
1 child, $25,000: $4,427 − 15.98% × $1,110 = $4,250.
A cliff, not a phase-out.
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum credit | $664 / $4,427 / $7,316 / $8,231 | 0, 1, 2, and 3+ qualifying children, 2026. |
| Phase-out starts (single/HoH) | $10,860 / $23,890 | No children / with children. |
| Phase-out starts (joint) | $18,140 / $31,160 | No children / with children. |
| Investment income limit | $12,200 | 2026. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: October 2026
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32
Official 2026 EITC maximums, earned income amounts, phase-out thresholds, and investment income limit.
- Formula vs. IRS tables
The IRS EIC tables round income into $50 bands, so the official credit can differ from this formula by a few dollars.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your filing status and number of qualifying children.
- Enter your earned income — wages, tips, and net self-employment income.
- Add any other taxable income and your investment income.
- Read your estimated credit, the maximum for your family, and where the credit phases out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the earned income credit for 2026?
The maximum 2026 EITC is $664 with no qualifying children, $4,427 with one, $7,316 with two, and $8,231 with three or more. Your actual credit depends on your earned income and adjusted gross income.
What are the 2026 EITC income limits?
For single and head-of-household filers, the credit ends at $19,540 of income with no children, $51,593 with one, $58,629 with two, and $62,974 with three or more. For married couples filing jointly, the limits are $26,820, $58,863, $65,899, and $70,244.
How much EITC will I get with one child and $25,000 of income?
About $4,250 for a single or head-of-household filer in 2026. The maximum $4,427 starts phasing out at $23,890 of income, falling by about 16 cents per dollar above that.
Can I get the EITC without children?
Yes, if you’re 25 to 64 at the end of the year (on a joint return, at least one spouse) and your income is under $19,540 single or $26,820 joint. The maximum credit without children is $664.
When will I get my EITC refund?
By law, the IRS can’t issue refunds on returns claiming the EITC before February 15. In 2026, most of these refunds arrived by early March for people who filed electronically with direct deposit.
Guides to go with this calculator
2027 HSA Contribution Limits (and 2026): Full Guide
The IRS has already set the 2027 HSA limits: $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for families. Here are the 2026 and 2027 numbers, who qualifies, and how to decide between an HSA and an FSA at open enrollment.
2027 Tax Brackets & Standard Deduction (Projected)
The IRS hasn’t published its 2027 numbers yet, but the major tax publishers agree on nearly every line: about 3.2% higher brackets, a $16,600 / $33,200 standard deduction, and a $20,000 gift exclusion.
No Tax on Tips: How the $25,000 Deduction Works
Tipped workers can now deduct up to $25,000 of tips from their federal taxable income — but it isn’t truly “no tax.” Here’s exactly what it covers, what it doesn’t, and what it’s worth.
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