The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal, refundable tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps boost the incomes of low-wage, working families.
- In 2013, more than 354,000 Colorado taxpayers received $772 million in federal EITC refunds.
- Taxpayers who qualify for the federal EITC also qualify for the state EITC. Colorado’s state EITC is 10 percent of the federal EITC, providing low-wage earners with an even larger refund at tax time.
How It Works
The EITC helps close the gap between how much families earn and how much they need, to make ends meet. It reduces the amount owed and increases the chances of getting a refund.
Who Qualifies?
Depending on income and number of children, single or married, people who worked either full-time or part-time at some point in 2020 can qualify for the EITC. Click on the link to the table below for additional information, this EITC calculator.
| Family Size | Family Income | Maximum Federal EITC | Maximum State EITC |
| Three or more children | $48,340 (single)
$53,930 (married) |
$6,318 | $632 |
| Two children | $45,007 (single)
$50,597 (married) |
$5,616 | $562 |
| One child | $39,617 (single)
$45,207 (married) |
$3,400 | $340 |
| No children | $15,010 (single)
$20,600 (married) |
$510 | $51 |
The federal and state EITC are two of several tax credits for working families. Learn about additional credits you may qualify to receive. In addition, if you earn less than $54,000 a year and have children, you can also qualify for free help.
Free Tax Help
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
VITA offers free tax help to:
- People who generally make $57,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities; and
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.
TCE offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.
While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are managed by IRS partners and staffed by their volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Many VITA and TCE sites are temporarily closed
Due to COVID-19, a number of VITA sites and all TCE sites are closed for an undetermined period of time. To locate an open VITA site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. For fastest service, visit IRS.gov for a variety of online resources and tax help including tax forms, instructions and publications, online payment options and to file with IRS Free File – free for most taxpayers. In Colorado, you can also call 211 for a list of sites in your area.
Before your visit
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B PDF for services provided and check out What to Bring to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you.
Sources: IRS.gov, Piton Foundation
