Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit
Last updated August 2026
The Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit is real money at tax time, up to $4,000 for eligible workers, based on income and family size, either lowering what you owe or boosting your refund. Everyone who qualifies for the federal EITC also qualifies for the Maryland credit, and you claim it by filing a Maryland return.
Maryland goes beyond the federal rules in two ways that matter. ITIN filers can get the state credit, and childless adults aged 18 to 24 can too, even though both groups are shut out of the federal EITC. If the federal credit passed you by for those reasons, the Maryland one may not.
One form of the credit is a nonrefundable state credit equal to 50 percent of your federal earned income tax credit. It can reduce what you owe, sometimes to zero. Claiming the EITC will not reduce your eligibility for other programs like SNAP or housing assistance, so there is no downside to taking it.
Parents should look at the separate Maryland Child Tax Credit. It helps families with a dependent under age 6, or a dependent with a disability under age 17, so it is targeted rather than covering all children. Check whether your family fits.
Maryland offers still more at tax time: a Child and Dependent Care Credit, and a nonrefundable Senior Tax Credit for residents 65 and older. A quick look at all of them can add up.
You claim these on your tax return, and free help exists. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, sites across Maryland help eligible filers claim both the federal and state EITC. Dial 2-1-1 to find one.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- You generally must qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and file a Maryland income tax return; the credit is worth up to $4,000 for eligible Marylanders
- Maryland also allows the credit for workers filing with an ITIN and for childless adults ages 18 to 24 who cannot get the federal credit, and childless filers can claim 100 percent of the federal EITC as a refundable Maryland credit
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
File your federal return and claim the federal EITC if you qualify.
- 2
File a Maryland return to claim the state EITC; ITIN filers and childless adults 18-24 can qualify.
- 3
If you have a child under 6 or a disabled dependent under 17, check the Maryland Child Tax Credit.
- 4
Need help? Dial 2-1-1 to find a free VITA tax site.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much is the Maryland EITC?
Up to $4,000 based on income and family size. One form is a nonrefundable credit equal to 50 percent of your federal earned income tax credit.
Can I get it with an ITIN or no children?
Yes. Maryland allows ITIN filers and childless adults aged 18 to 24 to claim the state credit, even though the federal EITC excludes them.
Will claiming it hurt my other benefits?
No. Claiming the EITC will not reduce your eligibility for programs like SNAP or housing assistance.
Is there a Maryland Child Tax Credit?
Yes, a separate credit for families with a dependent under age 6, or a dependent with a disability under age 17.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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