In order to qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit you must:

• have earned income (wages, union strike benefits, taxable disability benefits, net earnings from self-employment, household employee income, nontaxable combat pay election)
• have a valid Social Security number (no ITIN) for everyone in your household (family)
• not fall into the "Married Filing Separate" status
• be a US citizen or resident alien for an entire year
• have no foreign income
• your investment income (example: interest or dividends from stocks or savings accounts) must be below $3,100

You also must meet the following adjusted gross income (AGI) requirements based on your family size:

• $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children
• $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $13,440 ($18,440 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.  You also must be between 25 and 65 years old if you have no qualifying children