Federal Form 1040 Schedule Eic Instructions

Purpose of Schedule

After you have figured your earned income credit (EIC), use Schedule EIC to give the IRS information about your qualifying child(ren).

To figure the amount of your credit or to have the IRS figure it for you, see the instructions for Form 1040A, lines 42a and 42b, or Form 1040, lines 66a and 66b.

Taking the EIC when not eligible. If you take the EIC even though you are not eligible and it is determined that your error is due to reckless or intentional disregard of the EIC rules, you will not be allowed to take the credit for 2 years even if you are otherwise eligible to do so. If you fraudulently take the EIC, you will not be allowed to take the credit for 10 years. You may also have to pay penalties.

Future developments. For the latest information about developments related to Schedule EIC (Form 1040A or 1040) and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/scheduleeic.

TIP: You may also be able to take the additional child tax credit if your child was your dependent and under age 17 at the end of 2014. For more details, see the instructions for line 43 of Form 1040A or line 67 of Form 1040.

Qualifying Child

A qualifying child for the EIC is a child who is your . . .

Son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, or
a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild, niece, or nephew)

AND

was . . .

Under age 19 at the end of 2014 and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly)
or
Under age 24 at the end of 2014, a student, and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly)
or
Any age and permanently and totally disabled

AND

Who is not filing a joint return for 2014
or is filing a joint return for 2014 only as a claim
for refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid

AND

Who lived with you in the United States for more than half
of 2014. If the child did not live with you for the required time,
see Exception to time lived with you in the instructions for
Form 1040A, lines 42a and 42b, or Form 1040, lines 66a and 66b.

CAUTION! If the child was married or meets the conditions to be a qualifying child of another person (other than your spouse if filing a joint return), special rules apply. For details, see Married child or Qualifying child of more than one person in the instructions for Form 1040A, lines 42a and 42b, or Form 1040, lines 66a and 66b.