IRS tax credit could mean up to $8,231 for eligible workers: Who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit, how much you could receive and what you should check before filing

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a tax break designed to help low- and moderate-income workers through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Unlike a deduction, which reduces taxable income, a tax credit directly reduces the amount of tax owed. If the credit is larger than the taxpayer’s tax liability, eligible taxpayers may receive the remaining amount as a refund. The EITC is also available to some workers without qualifying children, although the maximum credit is considerably smaller.