EITC in Georgia

The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is available to all eligible workers in Georgia — worth up to $8,046 per year for families with three or more children. An estimated 1 in 5 eligible workers don't claim it. Georgia also has the Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit, which adds 20% on top of your federal credit.

Federal EITC amounts (2025 tax year)

The EITC amount depends on your income and number of qualifying children. These are the federal amounts — the same in every state.

Figures are for the 2025 tax year (returns filed in 2026). See IRS EITC tables for exact current-year limits. You must be age 25–64 to claim the EITC without a qualifying child.

How to claim the Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit

The Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit is claimed on your Georgia state tax return — you do not need a separate application. If you qualify for the federal EITC, you almost certainly qualify for the Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit.

• File your federal return first — the federal EITC amount flows to your state return automatically in most tax software
• File your Georgia state return at Georgia Department of Revenue (dor.georgia.gov)
• Claim the GA EITC on your Georgia Form 500, Schedule 2

How to claim the federal EITC in Georgia

The federal EITC is claimed on your Form 1040 tax return — there is no separate application. File Schedule EIC if you have qualifying children.

Filing options in Georgia:

• IRS Free File — free federal filing for income under $84,000 at irs.gov/freefile
• VITA sites in Georgia — free in-person tax prep for income under ~$67,000. Find a site at irs.gov/vita or by calling 1-800-906-9887
• Tax software — TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, and others automatically calculate the EITC from your income entries

Missed prior years? You can file amended returns and claim the EITC for up to 3 prior tax years. If you were eligible in 2022, 2023, or 2024 and didn't claim it, you can still get those credits.

Common questions about the EITC in Georgia

Do I need children to qualify for the EITC in Georgia?

No. Workers without qualifying children can receive up to $649 (federal) if they are ages 25–64, not claimed as a dependent by anyone else, and meet the income limits ($19,104 single / $26,214 married for 2025). Georgia's Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit is also available to workers without children.

When will I receive my EITC refund in Georgia?

By law, the IRS cannot issue EITC refunds before mid-February. If you e-file and use direct deposit, most EITC refunds arrive by early March. State refunds (if Georgia has a state EITC) are typically issued separately, within 4–8 weeks of filing.

What counts as earned income for the EITC?

Wages, salaries, tips, and net self-employment income all count. Investment income, Social Security, unemployment, and alimony do not count as earned income. Investment income must be $11,600 or less to qualify.