Can a grandmother take the earned income credit for a child?
James Williams
Published Feb 10, 2026
The IRS reports that nearly 27 million taxpayers received more than $65 billion as EIC in 2017 alone. A grandmother can take the Earned Income Credit if she meets certain income limits; if her grandchild meets the guidelines for a “qualifying child;” and if nobody else can claim the credit for her grandchild.
How much income do you have to have to claim grandchildren on your taxes?
If you’re married, filing a joint return with your spouse, your adjusted gross income must be less than $46,010 (claiming one grandchild), less than $51,492 (claiming two grandchildren) or $54,884 (claiming three or more grandchildren).
How much money can a child make without paying taxes?
Thus, a child can earn up to $12,200 without paying income tax. Example: William, a 16 year old dependent child, worked part time on weekends during the school year and full time during the summer. He earned $14,000 in wages during 2019. He did not have any unearned income.
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents and grandparents?
If you live in Quebec, the Quebec ministry in charge of immigration will assess your income. Note: The numbers below were updated as of May 13, 2021. This update won’t affect any of the parents and grandparents applications submitted. Income required for the 3 tax years right before the day you apply (sponsors applying in 2021)
How old does a grandchild have to be to get EIC?
At the end of the tax year, your grandchild must be younger than 19 years or younger than 24 if the grandchild is a full-time student. If you’re married, you must file a joint tax return with your spouse to qualify for the EIC benefit.
How does the state pay for Grandma’s care?
The state agency pays for the care so that the grandmother need not be institutionalized. Taxpayer receives Form 1099-MISC from the state agency with the amount paid shown in Box 7 as nonemployee compensation.