Filing Taxes

• To receive the EIC, you must file taxes. Even if you don't make enough money that requires you to file, you have to file a tax form to receive the EIC --- you can file your taxes even though you're not required to just to get the extra EIC. Make sure you qualify for the EIC before filing anything. If you have questions, take your paperwork to a reputable tax preparer.
  
  

Qualifying Child

• You can receive EIC if you have at least one qualifying child. A qualifying child is one that is related to you, whether by blood or by adoption. The child must have a Social Security number, have lived with you for at least half of the year, be 18 years old or under, be 24 years old or younger if a full-time student, or be of any age if he's permanently disabled.
  
  

Without a Qualifying Child

• Even if you don't have any children that qualify for the EIC, you may still be able to qualify for it. You and your spouse, if you have one, have to have lived in the United States for at least half of the year. Both you and your spouse, if applicable, must be between the ages of 25 and 65. You also must make sure that someone else isn't claiming you as a dependent on her taxes, which makes you ineligible to receive the EIC.
  
  

Adjusted Gross Income

• Your adjusted gross income plays a vital role in determining whether or not you qualify for the EIC. The qualifying amounts change from year to year, so you need to check with the IRS website or with your tax preparer. As of 2010, the adjusted gross income amounts range from $13,460 for singles with no qualifying children to $48,362 for couples with qualifying children. The amounts you can receive, as of 2010, range from $457 for singles with no qualifying children to $5,666 for couples having three or more qualifying children.