Oklahoma Earned Income Tax Credit
Last updated August 2026
Oklahoma has its own Earned Income Credit for residents who qualify for the federal EITC, worth 5 percent of the federal credit. Claim it on your state return with Form 511-EIC and Schedule 511-G.
The best news is that it is refundable again. Refundability was restored beginning with tax year 2022, after the credit was nonrefundable from 2016 through 2021. So you can get money back even if you owe no state tax, and any claim that it is nonrefundable is out of date.
There is one technical quirk. Effective tax year 2022 and after, the Oklahoma credit is calculated using the federal EIC rules that were in effect for the 2020 tax year, a fixed 2020 ruleset, rather than the current year's federal parameters.
You get a helpful choice: you can figure the credit on either the current or the prior year's earned income, whichever gives the larger credit. For the 2025 credit, that means using 2024 or 2025 earned income.
The income limits mirror the 2020 federal EIC: with no qualifying children, the earned-income cap is $15,820, or $21,710 married filing jointly; with three children it is $50,954, or $56,844 jointly.
To claim it, file an Oklahoma income tax return, attach the completed Form 511-EIC, and if you had no Oklahoma filing requirement last year, attach a copy of your federal return. Free filing help is available through VITA sites; 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 an Oklahoma income tax return
- The Oklahoma credit equals 5 percent of your federal EITC and, for tax year 2022 and later, is refundable
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
File your federal return and claim the federal EITC first.
- 2
File an Oklahoma return and claim the 5 percent state credit with Form 511-EIC and Schedule 511-G.
- 3
Figure the credit on whichever of the current or prior year's earned income is larger.
- 4
Because it is refundable, file even if you owe no Oklahoma tax; dial 2-1-1 for free help.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much is the Oklahoma Earned Income Credit?
5 percent of your federal earned income credit, claimed with Form 511-EIC on your state return.
Is it refundable?
Yes, again. Refundability was restored beginning with tax year 2022, after being nonrefundable from 2016 to 2021.
Which year's income do I use?
You can use either the current or prior year's earned income, whichever yields the larger credit. The credit uses the 2020 federal EIC ruleset.
How do I claim it?
File an Oklahoma return, attach Form 511-EIC, and attach your federal return if you had no Oklahoma filing requirement last year.
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