The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a tax credit for workers who earn low or moderate incomes. There are two types of Earned Income Credits: a federal credit that is claimed on your federal taxes, and a Wisconsin credit that is claimed on your state taxes. If you qualify for the EIC and file your taxes, some or all of your income tax that was withheld may be returned to you. If you did not earn enough to have income tax withheld on your paychecks, you can still get the Earned Income Credit. You must file a tax return to receive your EIC even if you do not owe taxes.

Am I Eligible for the Wisconsin Earned Income Credit?

You may be eligible for the Wisconsin Earned Income Credit if you meet these requirements:

1. You qualify for the federal EIC
2. You have at least one qualifying child
3. You are a full-year Wisconsin resident, and
4. You file a joint return if you are married

Read more about the Wisconsin EIC on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) website.

How Much Can Individuals Get Back from the Wisconsin EIC?

The Wisconsin EIC is calculated as a percent of the federal EIC.

• For workers with one qualifying child, the Wisconsin EIC is 4% of the federal EIC. Thus, the maximum amount of the Wisconsin credit in 2023 is $159.
• For workers with two qualifying children, the Wisconsin EIC equals 11% of the federal EIC. Thus, the maximum amount of the Wisconsin credit in 2023 is $726.
• For workers with three or more children, the Wisconsin EIC equals 34% of the federal EIC. Thus, the maximum amount of the Wisconsin credit in 2023 is $2,526.

How Do I Claim the Wisconsin EIC?

The forms needed to claim the Wisconsin EIC are located on the Tax Credits for Wisconsin Families page. If you were eligible for the federal and Wisconsin EIC in past years but did not claim it, you can do so by filing amended tax returns.

Find information about claiming the EIC in past years on the IRS website.

Detailed information for calculating the amount of the credit is provided in the instructions to the tax forms. You can find information about the forms you will need to claim these credits on the Tax Credits for Wisconsin Families page.

Note: This website is an educational resource only. For specific tax questions, seek professional tax assistance or contact an IRS Technical Assistance Center or call the tax hotline at 800-829-1040.