EITC With No Qualifying Children — What You Can Get
No kids? You might still qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The childless EITC is smaller — up to $632 for 2026 — but it's fully refundable, meaning you get it as a cash refund even if you owe zero in taxes.
Check your eligibility with the EITC Calculator.
2026 Childless EITC at a Glance
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum credit | $632 |
| Income limit (Single / HoH) | $18,591 |
| Income limit (MFJ) | $24,511 |
| Age requirement | 25-64 (general rule) |
| Peak credit earned income | ~$8,500-$9,200 |
Who This Is For
The childless EITC targets low-income workers without dependents:
- Single adults working part-time or minimum wage
- Young workers age 25+ starting their careers
- Older workers nearing retirement with reduced hours
- Empty nesters whose children aged out of qualifying child status
Age exception: Former foster youth (age 18+) and homeless youth (age 18+) can claim without meeting the 25-year minimum. This was expanded under the American Rescue Plan and made permanent.
Credit Amount by Income
The credit ramps up, hits the max, then phases out:
| Earned Income | Credit |
|---|---|
| $2,000 | $153 |
| $4,000 | $306 |
| $6,000 | $459 |
| $8,000 | $614 |
| $9,000 | $632 (maximum) |
| $11,000 | $510 |
| $13,000 | $380 |
| $15,000 | $250 |
| $17,000 | $120 |
| $18,591+ | $0 |
The peak is around $8,500-$9,200 — roughly a part-time job at $10-11/hour. Above that, the credit shrinks but stays positive until about $18,600.
Requirements Checklist
To claim the childless EITC, you must:
- Be age 25-64 at the end of the tax year (or 18+ if former foster/homeless youth)
- Have earned income under $18,591 (single) or $24,511 (MFJ)
- Have investment income of $11,600 or less
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire year
- Not be claimed as a dependent on anyone else's return
- Not file as Married Filing Separately
- Have lived in the U.S. for more than half the year
The residency test is the one that trips up workers who spend significant time abroad. If you worked overseas for 7+ months, you don't qualify — even if your income was U.S.-sourced.
Why So Many People Miss This Credit
The IRS estimates that millions of eligible childless workers don't claim the EITC each year. Common reasons:
"I don't file because I don't owe taxes." You still need to file to get the refund. If your income is $9,000 and your tax liability is $0, you must file a return to receive the $632.
"The credit is too small to bother." $632 is $632. It takes 15 minutes with free tax software. That's an hourly rate of $2,528/hour for your time.
"I'm single with no kids — I don't get tax breaks." You get this one. And potentially others like the Saver's Credit if you contribute to a retirement account.
How to Claim
- File Form 1040 (even if you owe nothing)
- Complete Schedule EIC — but for childless filers, it's simplified
- Check the box for "No qualifying children"
- Your tax software or the IRS calculates the credit automatically
Free filing options:
- IRS Free File (income under $84,000)
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) — free in-person help
Don't pay a tax preparer $200 to file a simple return for a $632 credit. Free options exist specifically for low-income filers.
See your complete tax picture with the Federal Tax Calculator.
Share this article