About the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

EITC Eligibility Information for Tax Year 2009

The income eligibility guidelines and maximum credit amounts for Tax Year 2008 are listed below:

§       Families with one child who earn less than $35,463 in 2009 (or less than $40,463 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $3,043.

§       Families with two children who earn less than $40,295 in 2009 (or less than $45,295 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,028.

         Families with three or more children who earn less than $43,279 in 2009 (or less than $48,279 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $5,657.

§       Workers without a qualifying child who are age 25-65 and earn less than $13,440 in 2009 (or less than $18,440 for married workers) are eligible for a credit of up to $457.

How can I claim the two earned income credits?

The federal credit is available by completing Schedule EIC in the Federal 1040 or 1040A. The state credit is computed by entering your federal credit amount into your MI-1040 tax form and then multiplying by 20%, so do your federal taxes first!

Don't pay to get your taxes done--file for free! 

• ICAN! eFile is a free electronic tax filing service that allows eligible tax payers to complete and e-file their federal and state tax returns on their own and for free. It is available anyplace you can get on the internet.  Go to ICAN! E-File to use this free web-based tax preparation program.
• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, provides IRS-trained volunteers to prepare and file tax returns for free. There are probably VITA sites in your community. Click here to locate a free tax preparation site near you. (This list is updated as information becomes available, so check back often.) You can also call 2-1-1 (1-800-552-1183 if 2-1-1 is unavailable in your area) for help locating the VITA site nearest you.

• Senior Citizens also have a number of AARP sponsored free Tax-Aide preparation sites available. To locate the one nearest you, visit the AARP Tax Site Locator.

Find Out More About Tax Credits for Michigan's Working Families

Money Back in Michigan This packet promotes awareness of various federal and state tax credits available to low- and moderate-income households. It is designed to assist organizations that serve low-income individuals and families by providing timely information about credits for which they may qualify. The flyers can be distributed or displayed in local offices, libraries, community centers, and retail businesses. Click here for the Tax Year 2009 Money Back in Michigan packet (posted 2-1-10).

Fact Sheet on the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (Michigan League for Human Services, rev. Jan. 2008)

Introducing the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (Michigan Department of Treasury, June 2008)