EITC Lookup Calculator

Calculate exact Earned Income Tax Credit from detailed phase-in/phase-out tables.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

$

EITC Amount

$5,608.03

Max Possible

$7,316.00

EITC Details

EligibleYes
Your Credit$5,608.03
Maximum for Category$7,316.00

Use the EITC Lookup Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

The Earned Income Tax Credit rewards low-to-moderate income workers and can add up to a substantial refund. This lookup pins down your credit using the IRS phase-in and phase-out tables for 2026, drawing on the current year's income thresholds and maximum credit amounts so the result reflects where the law actually stands.

Behind the scenes the tool runs a staged lookup against the official 2026 EITC tables, matched to your filing status and number of qualifying children. It first locates your earned income within the phase-in, plateau, or phase-out range, then either applies the relevant credit percentage or subtracts the phase-out reduction tied to your AGI and earned income. The arithmetic resolves to the dollar.

Accuracy on your earned income matters here, because even modest reporting errors can shift the credit. Watch the investment income ceiling as well, which sits at $12,200 for 2026 under Rev. Proc. 2025-32; income above that line disqualifies you regardless of everything else. Qualifying-child status trips up a lot of filers too, so confirm each child against the IRS tests for age, relationship, and residency before relying on a number.

Example: Single Parent with Two Children

  1. 1 A single parent with two qualifying children has earned income of $24,500 in 2026, with an adjusted gross income no higher than that figure.
  2. 2 The calculator identifies the filing status (Single) and number of children (Two), then reads the 2026 two-child row: a 40% phase-in rate, a maximum credit of $7,316 once earned income reaches $18,290, a phase-out that starts at $23,890 for single filers and runs at 21.06%, and a cut-off at $58,629. At $24,500 this parent is $610 past the point where the phase-out begins.
  3. 3 Credit = $7,316 - ($24,500 - $23,890) x 21.06% = $7,316 - $128.47 = $7,187.53.
  4. 4 Just past the plateau, every extra dollar of income costs about 21 cents of credit. The credit runs out entirely at $58,629 for a single filer with two children, or at $65,899 for the same family filing jointly, because the joint thresholds are $7,270 higher.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Earned Income Tax Credit for 2026?
The maximum EITC for 2026 is $664 with no children, $4,427 with one child, $7,316 with two children, and $8,231 with three or more children. The actual credit amount depends on your earned income, AGI, and filing status.
What are the income limits for the EITC?
For 2026 the credit is fully phased out at $19,540 (single, no children), $51,593 (single, 1 child), $58,629 (single, 2 children) and $62,974 (single, 3+ children). Filing jointly raises each of those by $7,270, or by $7,280 with no qualifying children, giving $26,820 / $58,863 / $65,899 / $70,244. Investment income must stay at or below $12,200. All figures are from Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Can gig workers and freelancers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?
Yes. Self-employment income counts as earned income for the EITC. You must file Schedule C and report all income accurately. The IRS scrutinizes self-employment EITC claims, so keep thorough records of income and expenses. Net self-employment earnings (after expenses) are used in the calculation.