I am in college or over 18

If you are 18 or older, earning $30,950 or less each year, and filing your own taxes (not someone else’s dependent), you may be eligible for the EITC.

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If you are a parent, you may qualify for a bigger credit, and if your child is younger than 6 years old, you can get up to an additional $1,117 from the Child Tax Credit.

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If you’re a student or paying off student debt, you may also qualify for education tax benefits. 

How do I file my taxes?

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Young adults often use the IRS Free File for free tax preparation, free electronic filing, and free direct deposit. You can also find free tax prep help here.

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Filing your taxes for the first time? Here’s what you need to have on hand:

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• Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number)

• Wage and income information i.e. Form W-2 or Form 1099, including taxable college scholarships or grants

• Documentation for all tax credits and deductions

• Bank account and routing number to get your refund direct deposited

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The refundable tax credit amount you can get depends on your income and the size of your family. 

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• Individuals without children can get up to $600 from the federal EITC

• If you have one child, you can get up to $3,995 from the federal EITC

• If you have two children, you can get up to $6,604 from the federal EITC

• If you have three or more children, you can get up to $7,430 from the federal EITC

• The DC EITC can provide 70% of the federal EITC

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Need help filing your taxes? Find free tax preparation help here.