Schedule EIC (Form 1040), Earned Income Credit
Schedule EIC tells the IRS about the qualifying children behind your earned income credit claim. Fill in the official IRS PDF below and download it.
This is the genuine IRS PDF, unmodified. Source: IRS official page.
What is Schedule EIC (Form 1040)?
Schedule EIC (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Earned Income Credit, is the attachment that identifies your qualifying children when you claim the earned income credit. For each child it collects the name, Social Security number, year of birth, relationship to you, and how many months the child lived with you in the United States.
The schedule does not calculate the credit itself. The credit amount comes from the worksheets in the Form 1040 instructions or your tax software, and Schedule EIC simply documents the children who qualify you for it. Workers claiming the EIC without a qualifying child do not file this schedule.
Who files Schedule EIC (Form 1040)?
- Workers claiming the earned income credit with one or more qualifying children
- Parents whose children lived with them in the United States for more than half the year
- Filers claiming EIC for grandchildren, siblings, or other relatives who meet the qualifying child rules
- Anyone whose EIC worksheet or software directs them to attach Schedule EIC
How to fill out Schedule EIC (Form 1040)
- Figure your earned income credit first using the worksheet in the Form 1040 instructions.
- Enter each qualifying child’s name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on the Social Security card.
- Complete the year of birth, relationship, and months-lived-with-you lines for each child, up to three children.
- Answer the student or disability questions where the form asks for them.
- Download the finished PDF and file it with your Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need Schedule EIC if I have no children?
No. The earned income credit for workers without a qualifying child is claimed directly on Form 1040 using the instructions worksheet. Schedule EIC is only for claims that involve qualifying children.
What makes a child a qualifying child for the EIC?
The child must meet relationship, age, and residency tests: generally your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of one of those, under the age limit or permanently disabled, who lived with you in the U.S. for more than half the year and has a valid SSN.
What if my EIC was denied in a previous year?
If the IRS denied or reduced your EIC for a reason other than a math error, you may need to file Form 8862 to claim it again. Check the current instructions before filing.