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Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), also known as the Earned Income Credit (EIC), provides a wage supplement to low-income working families and individuals. It is a refundable tax credit that offsets income taxes owed by low income workers and, if the credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, provides a lump sum payment to those who qualify.

At an annual cost of $30.4 billion (FY 2000), it is today one of the largest federal anti-poverty programs. In 1998, the last year for which data is available, the EITC was claimed by an estimated 19.4 million people and lifted 4.8 million people out of poverty, including 2.6 million children.

RELATED SITES, ISSUES & ARTICLES

Site Listings

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities EITC Analyses

Articles

2004 EITC Kit

Free Money. Take Some: Suppose the government decided to place bushel baskets full of cash at every street corner, with the following note:

Should EITC Benefits Be Enlarged for Families with Three or More Children? (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities March 21, 2000)

House Leadership's Proposal to Delay EITC Payments (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities September 29, 1999)

Earned Income Tax Credit (California Legislative Analyst's Office).

Hidden Entitlements EITC (Citizens for Tax Justice)

What is the EITC? (California Legislative Analyst's Office: Undated)