Did you earn less than $56,838 (filing as single), or $63,398 (filing as married) from a job in 2023? You could get up to $7,430 of it back when claiming 3 or more qualifying children or relatives on your federal taxes.
If you are between 25 and 65 years old, or have a qualifying child, you may be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is worth up to $7,430 per income tax return for eligible low-to-moderate-income individuals and families.
Yet, four out of five people who could receive a refund didn’t apply for it. Over $100 million is left on the table every year. It’s worthwhile applying — the average refund is around $2,200. This is not a City of Philadelphia program, but because it offers refunds for so many Philadelphians, the City is helping raise awareness about the EITC.
For workers
To claim your EITC, you must file a federal tax return, usually a Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
If you qualify for EITC, you can get assistance to file your federal taxes for free. For more information about free tax preparation services, go to myfreetaxes.com.
| Number of children or relatives claimed | Filing as single, head of household, or widowed | Filing as married filing jointly | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | $17,640 | $24,210 | $600 |
| One | $46,560 | $53,120 | $3,995 |
| Two | $52,918 | $59,478 | $6,604 |
| Three or more | $56,838 | $63,398 | $7,430 |
For community groups
The City offers community outreach services to help taxpayers get the tax credits, discounts, and assistance they’re eligible for.
To request EITC materials or have a Revenue representative speak at your next community meeting, please email Joi.McCoy@phila.gov
For employers
Philadelphia employers must provide all employees and non-payroll workers with the City of Philadelphia EITC notice. Employers usually provide the notice when they issue employee W-2s, 1099s, or comparable forms.