The earned income credit (EIC) is a refundable credit for taxpayers who meet certain requirements and file a tax return. TaxSlayer Pro automatically calculates EIC based on the information entered in the return, and Schedule EIC provides information to the IRS about the qualifying children in the tax return, including their age, relationship, and number of months lived with the taxpayer.
A child under the age of 19 and younger than the taxpayer meets the age test, and the questions on Schedule EIC line 4 are skipped since they are unnecessary.
Schedule EIC line 4's purpose is to determine if a child older than age 18 still qualifies for EIC. The line is divided into two yes/no questions:
- Line 4a - "Was the child under age 24 at the end of 20xx, a student, and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly)?"
- Line 4b - "Was the child permanently and totally disabled during any part of 20xx?"
A yes answer to either question will also qualify the child for EIC.
Additional Information:
IRS: Publication 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC)