I am self-employed

People who are self-employed can take advantage of tax credits. If you are in business for yourself, are married, have children, and earned less than $63,398 you may qualify for the federal EITC. Both Social Security Number holders and ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) holders are eligible. Learn more about filing as an ITIN holder here.

​

You are likely self-employed if you did not receive a W-2 and work in an occupation like:

​

• Driver for ride-sharing companies

• Gardener

• Childcare worker

• Homecare worker

• Independent contractor

• Domestic worker

• Street vendor

• Janitor 

• On-call worker 

​

Don’t forget: Self-employed people have to pay federal self-employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare, in addition to income tax. You may also be required to pay estimated taxes quarterly. 

​

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

​

• 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

​

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