The Federal EITC

The Tax Season is here, and many workers are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a federal tax credit for eligible working individuals and households.

How do Massachusetts Workers claim the EITC?

This credit is available by completing Schedule EIC in the Federal 1040 or 1040A. Free tax preparation services for EITC eligible tax payers are available. Volunteer Income Assistance, or VITA, program provides IRS-trained volunteers to prepare and file tax returns for free.

Free Tax Preparation Services:

  • IRS-approved volunteer tax preparation services may be available in your community. To find a site near you, you may call 1-800-829-1040 or visit masscashback.ehs.state.ma.us .

Massachusetts Earned Income Credit

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Massachusetts EIC you must:

  • Be a resident of Massachusetts, and
  • Be eligible for and claim the federal EIC on your federal tax return.

If you are eligible for the federal EIC and are a resident of Massachusetts you are also eligible to claim the Massachusetts' earned income credit when filing your state income tax return. This tax credit is refundable, which means it will first be used to lower any state income tax you might owe and, if the credit is larger than what you owe in state tax, a check will be mailed to you after you file your state income tax return.



This information provided by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance.