The earned income tax credit is a benefit for working people with low to moderate incomes and dependents, and this includes grandparents. (Taxpayers without a dependent may also qualify, but it is more difficult.) To be able to claim the tax credit, you must be raising a child who meets the following criteria:
- Is your son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, step-sister or a descendent of any of them, such as a grandchild or niece or nephew
- Is younger than 19 at the end of the year, younger than 24 and a full-time student at the end of the year, or any age and permanently and totally disabled
- Lives with you for more than half the year
- One child. Filing as an individual, your income must be less than $41,094. Filing jointly, your income must be less than $46,884.
- Two children. Filing as an individual, your income must be less than $46,703. Filing jointly, your income must be less than $52,493.
- Three or more children. Filing as an individual, your income must be less than $50,162. Filing jointly, your income must be less than $55,952.
- $6,557 with three or more qualifying children
- $5,828 with two qualifying children
- $3,526 with one qualifying child