EITC band widened: clients you turned away last year may now qualify
IRS widened the EITC band for 2025 returns — a slice of clients you previously turned away now qualify.
TaxWallet Newsroom
June 5, 2026
The IRS quietly widened the EITC eligibility band for the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026). The change is small in dollar terms but big in scope: a chunk of single filers without dependents who didn't qualify last year now do.
What moved
- Single, no dependents — earned income cap raised from $17,640 to $18,310.
- Maximum credit for that band raised modestly to $649.
- Investment income cap (which disqualifies even otherwise-eligible filers) raised to $11,950.
Why it matters operationally: if your front desk turned someone away last year on the no-dependents band, they may be back this year — and they may be eligible now. Worth doing a one-time export of last season's denied EITC intakes and queuing an SMS:
"Hi — IRS expanded eligibility this year. We'd like a second look at your return. Reply YES and we'll schedule a slot."
Standard deduction also moved (single $14,600 / MFJ $29,200), which can change the itemize-or-take-standard math for borderline returns. Re-run any drafts that landed before December.