Tax Help Archives  
Pub. 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC) 2004 Tax Year

EIC Eligibility Checklist

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2004 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Table of Contents

    You may claim the EIC if you answer “Yes” to all the following questions.*
        Yes No
    1. Is your AGI less than:
    • $11,490 ($12,490 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child,

    • $30,338 ($31,338 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or

    • $34,458 ($35,458 for married filing jointly) if you have more than one qualifying child?
      (See Rule 1.)

    2. Do you, your spouse, and your qualifying child each have a valid SSN? (See Rule 2.)
    3. Is your filing status married filing jointly, head of household, qualifying widow(er), or single? (See Rule 3.)
    Caution: If you are a nonresident alien, answer Yes only if your filing status is married filing jointly and you are married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien. (See Rule 4.)
    4. Answer “Yes” if you are not filing Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ. Otherwise, answer “No.” (See Rule 5.)
    5. Is your investment income $2,650 or less? (See Rule 6.)
    6. Is your total earned income at least $1 but less than:
    • $11,490 ($12,490 for married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child,

    • $30,338 ($31,338 for married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child, or

    • $34,458 ($35,458 for married filing jointly) if you have more than one qualifying child?
      (See Rules 7 and 15.)

    7. Answer Yes if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) are not a qualifying child of another person. Otherwise, answer No. (See Rules 10 and 13.)
      STOP: If you have a qualifying child, answer questions 8 and 9 and skip 10–12. If you do not have a qualifying child, skip questions 8 and 9 and answer 10–12.*    
    8. Does your child meet the age, residency, and relationship tests for a qualifying child? (See Rule 8.)
    9. Is your child a qualifying child only for you? Answer Yes if your qualifying child also meets the tests to be a qualifying child of another person, but either (a) the other person is not claiming the EIC using that child, or (b) if both you and the other person claim the EIC using that child, Rule 9 will allow only you to treat the child as a qualifying child. (See Rule 9.)
    10. Were you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2004? (See Rule 11.)
    11. Answer Yes if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else's return. Answer No if you (or your spouse if filing a joint return) can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. (See Rule 12.)
    12. Was your main home (and your spouse's if filing a joint return) in the United States for more than half the year? (See Rule 14.)
    *PERSONS WITH A QUALIFYING CHILD: If you answered Yes to questions 1 through 9, you can claim the EIC. Remember to fill out Schedule EIC and attach it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040A. You cannot use Form 1040EZ.
    PERSONS WITHOUT A QUALIFYING CHILD: If you answered Yes to questions 1 through 7, and 10 through 12, you can claim the EIC.
    If you answered “No” to any question that applies to you: You cannot claim the EIC.

    Previous | First | Next

    Publications Index | 2004 Tax Help Archives | Tax Help Archives Main | Home