Louisiana Earned Income Tax Credit
Last updated August 2026
Louisiana offers a state Earned Income Credit, the LA EIC, for low-to-moderate-income working residents. It is calculated as a percentage of your federal Earned Income Tax Credit and claimed on your state income tax return, administered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Check the current percentage on the state return, since the rate is set by law.
The most important feature is that it is refundable. Filing a state return can produce a refund even for workers who owe little or no state tax, so it is worth filing to claim it.
To benefit, you must first qualify for the federal EITC, which requires earned income from work and income below the federal limits based on your filing status and number of children. If you got the federal credit, you are on track for the Louisiana one.
You claim it by filing a Louisiana Individual Income Tax Return, Form IT-540 for residents. Anyone required to file a federal return with Louisiana income must also file the state return.
Mind the deadline: Louisiana returns and payments are due on or before May 15 of the following year, so that is your deadline to file and claim the credit for the prior tax year.
After filing, you can track your state refund with the Department of Revenue's Where's My Refund tool. The federal EITC is the larger prize for most families and is also refundable, so claim that first, and dial 2-1-1 for free VITA tax help.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- You must qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and file a Louisiana IT-540 income tax return
- The credit is refundable and equals 5 percent of your federal EITC under La. R.S. 47:297.8, so it can pay out even if you owe no Louisiana tax
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
File your federal return and claim the federal EITC first; it is refundable.
- 2
File a Louisiana return (Form IT-540) and claim the LA EIC; check the current percentage on the return.
- 3
File by the May 15 deadline for the prior tax year.
- 4
Track your refund with the Where's My Refund tool; find free help by dialing 2-1-1.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the Louisiana Earned Income Credit?
A refundable state credit calculated as a percentage of your federal EITC, claimed on your Louisiana return. Check the current percentage on the state return.
Is it refundable?
Yes. Filing a Louisiana return can produce a refund even for workers who owe little or no state tax.
How do I claim it?
File a Louisiana Individual Income Tax Return, Form IT-540 for residents. You must also qualify for the federal EITC.
What is the deadline?
Louisiana returns are due on or before May 15 of the following year, which is the deadline to claim the credit for the prior tax year.
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