Last updated: June 19, 2026
Bottom line
If you worked in 2025 and lived in Maryland for all or part of the year, you may be able to claim federal and Maryland tax credits when you file your 2025 taxes in 2026. The biggest credits for many working parents are the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, the federal Child Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, the Maryland Child Tax Credit, and child care tax credits.
These are tax credits, not grants. A tax credit can lower what you owe. Some credits can also add to your refund. You usually must file a tax return to claim them, even if your income was low and you do not usually file.
This is general information, not tax advice. Use the IRS EITC tables, the Maryland EITC page, or free tax help.
Urgent tax help in Maryland
The regular deadline for 2025 federal and Maryland personal income tax returns was April 15, 2026. If you missed the April 15 deadline, file as soon as you can. If you may owe tax, ask about payment options because waiting can add interest or penalties. If you expect a refund, filing is still needed to get many credits.
- Need free filing help? Try IRS Free File, the VITA/TCE locator, or the CASH Campaign. CASH says Baltimore appointments are full for the 2025-2026 season, but self-filing options may still be listed.
- Need Maryland help? You can use Maryland iFile for many resident returns, or get official Maryland tax forms.
- Need your refund status? Check the Maryland refund tool and have your return nearby.
- Need food, rent, utility, or health help today? Call 2-1-1 or use 211 tax help. You can also check Maryland Benefits for public benefit programs.
Where to start
1. Check EITC first
EITC is for workers with low or moderate income. Wages, tips, gig work, and self-employment can count. Child support, unemployment, and Social Security do not count as earned income for EITC.
2. Check child credits
If you have a child or other dependent, check the federal Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents, and the Maryland Child Tax Credit.
3. Check care costs
If you paid for child care so you could work, look for work, or go to school, ask about the federal and Maryland child and dependent care credits.
4. File safely
Use a trusted free filing option or a qualified tax preparer. Be careful with refund advances and fees.
For more tax help, see the ASMOM tax credit guide. For broader state help, start with Maryland single mother help or the state Maryland help guide for more needs.
Quick reference
| Credit or help | What it can help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable credit for many workers with low or moderate income. | EITC Assistant | You need earned income. Many non-work payments do not count. |
| Maryland EITC | State credit for many Maryland workers who qualify under state rules. | Maryland EITC screener | Maryland has special rules for some ITIN filers and childless adults. |
| Federal child credits | Credit for a qualifying child or another eligible dependent. | IRS child credit | The Child Tax Credit has Social Security number rules for the child. |
| Maryland Child Tax Credit | Refundable state credit for some low-income families with a young child or a child with a disability. | Maryland child credit | The income limit is narrow, so many families will not qualify. |
| Care credits | Tax credits for care costs tied to work, job search, or school. | IRS care rules | You need provider details and records of what you paid. |
Federal and Maryland EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit is for people who worked. This can include wages, tips, gig work, self-employment income, and some disability benefits before retirement age. It does not include child support, alimony, unemployment, Social Security, pensions, interest, or dividends.
For tax year 2025, both earned income and adjusted gross income must be below the IRS limits. Your credit is not always the maximum.
| Qualifying children | Income limit for single, head of household, married filing separately, or surviving spouse | Income limit for married filing jointly | Maximum federal EITC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $19,104 | $26,214 | $649 |
| 1 | $50,434 | $57,554 | $4,328 |
| 2 | $57,310 | $64,430 | $7,152 |
| 3 or more | $61,555 | $68,675 | $8,046 |
The 2025 EITC investment income limit is $11,950 or less. If you are close to a limit, get free tax help.
How Maryland EITC works
Maryland says many people who qualify for the federal EITC also qualify for the state EITC. The 2025 Maryland resident instructions say a filer with at least one qualifying child, or a married filer, may claim 50% of the federal credit on the Maryland return. A single, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse filer without a qualifying child may claim 100% of the federal credit under the state worksheet.
Maryland also allows some people to qualify for the Maryland EITC even if they cannot claim the federal EITC. This can include some Maryland residents who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, also called an ITIN. This state rule does not change federal EITC rules.
Tip for shared custody
Only one person can usually claim the same child for the same tax benefits in the same year. EITC child rules look at relationship, age, where the child lived, and whether someone else claimed the child. If another parent or relative may claim the same child, get help before filing.
Child tax credits
The federal Child Tax Credit is for a qualifying child who was under age 17 at the end of 2025 and meets IRS rules. For 2025, the credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. If the credit is more than your federal tax, the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit may be up to $1,700 per qualifying child, depending on your earned income and return. You generally need at least $2,500 in earned income for the refundable part.
The child must have a Social Security number that is valid for work and issued before the tax return due date, including extensions. If your dependent does not qualify for the Child Tax Credit, ask about the Credit for Other Dependents. That credit can be up to $500, but it is not refundable.
Maryland Child Tax Credit
Maryland has a separate refundable Child Tax Credit for some low-income residents. For 2025, a qualified child is a dependent under age 6, or over age 5 and under age 17 with a qualifying disability. Maryland Form 502CR instructions say the credit can be $500 per qualified child when federal adjusted gross income is $15,000 or less. The credit phases down between $15,001 and $24,000. At $24,001 or more, the worksheet says the filer is not eligible.
Many working parents will be over this limit. If your income was very low in 2025, ask your preparer to check Maryland Form 502CR before you file.
Child care credits
If you paid for care so you could work, look for work, or attend school, you may qualify for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. A qualifying person is usually your dependent child under age 13. A disabled spouse or dependent of any age may also qualify if the person could not care for themselves and lived with you for more than half the year.
You must list the care provider on Form 2441. The IRS says you need the provider’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number. You can ask the provider for Form W-10 or a receipt with the same details.
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| Which costs may count? | Care that lets you work or look for work. Day camp may count. Overnight camp does not. |
| Who can receive care? | A child under 13, or a spouse or dependent who cannot care for themselves and meets the rules. |
| Who cannot be paid? | Your spouse, your dependent, the child’s parent in some cases, or your child under age 19. |
| Does Maryland help too? | Yes. Maryland has child and dependent care tax credit rules for residents with income under state limits. |
Maryland says its child and dependent care credit starts at 32% of the federal credit allowed, then phases down for higher incomes. For 2025, the nonrefundable state credit phases out above $174,300 for married filing jointly and $112,100 for other filing statuses. A lower-income filer may also qualify for a refundable amount if their Maryland credit is more than Maryland tax. For 2025, the refundable worksheet says the income limit is $60,900 for an individual return and $91,400 for a joint return.
A tax credit helps after you file. For current help, check Maryland child care and the national Head Start guide for early care options.
Free filing help
Free filing help matters because tax mistakes can delay a refund or lead to a letter later, especially with shared custody, self-employment, ITIN filing, child care costs, or tax notices.
- IRS Free File: For 2026 filing, IRS guided Free File is for taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less. Some partner tools may include a free state return. Check the offer before you start.
- VITA and TCE: IRS-certified volunteers prepare many basic returns for free. Sites may close after tax season or fill quickly.
- CASH Campaign: This Maryland nonprofit lists free tax preparation and self-filing resources. Appointment status can change, so check the page before you call or travel.
- Maryland iFile: Maryland’s online filing system supports many resident returns. Complete your federal return first because Maryland uses federal figures.
- Maryland forms: Use official forms if you need to mail or amend a return. Make sure you use the correct tax year.
Watch out for refund advances
Some paid tax stores offer fast money before the IRS or Maryland sends a refund. Read the fees and loan terms first. A refund advance is not the same as getting your refund faster from the government.
Documents checklist
Gather papers before you start. Missing forms and mismatched names can delay a return. Use the ASMOM documents checklist before you file.
| Bring or gather | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Free tax sites usually need to confirm your identity. |
| Social Security cards or ITIN letters | Names and numbers must match the return. |
| W-2, 1099, and gig records | EITC depends on earned income and adjusted gross income. |
| Self-employment records | Bring income and expense records for cleaning, driving, babysitting, delivery, or other work. |
| Child care provider details | Form 2441 needs provider name, address, and tax ID. |
| School, medical, or lease records | These may help show where a child lived if a tax office asks. |
| Bank account numbers | Direct deposit is usually safer than a mailed check. |
| IRS or Maryland letters | Bring every notice, even if you do not understand it yet. |
| Last year’s return | A preparer can compare dependents, income, and prior issues. |
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong filing status. Many single mothers file as head of household, but only if they meet the rules. Do not use it just because you are unmarried.
- Claiming the same child twice. If another adult claims your child, your refund may freeze while the IRS reviews both returns.
- Skipping Maryland credits. Review your Maryland return before you send it. Some state credits are easy to miss.
- Leaving out gig income. App work, cleaning jobs, babysitting, and delivery work may affect credits and taxes owed.
- Guessing child care details. Ask your provider for a receipt or Form W-10 information before you file.
- Ignoring letters. A notice is not always a denial. It may ask for proof or a missing item.
If your refund is delayed, reduced, or denied
First, read the notice and check who sent it. IRS problems and Maryland Comptroller problems are handled in different places. Do not send original papers unless the notice says to. Keep copies of anything you mail or upload.
If you claimed EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit early in the season, the IRS says the law keeps it from issuing those refunds before mid-February. The IRS also says some refunds can take longer when there are errors or missing items. Use the IRS refund tool or your online account if the question is federal.
For a Maryland refund, use the refund tool or the automated phone numbers listed by the Comptroller. Have your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount ready.
If Maryland denies a refund or sends an assessment you disagree with, the Comptroller says taxpayers can file an appeal. Start with Maryland appeals and follow the deadline in your notice.
If the problem is with the IRS and you cannot afford help, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic may be able to assist with an audit, appeal, collection problem, or notice. Start with the IRS LITC map or the University of Maryland Maryland taxpayer clinic. For benefit problems beyond taxes, see the ASMOM benefits problem guide for a broader next step.
Help while waiting
A tax refund can help with bills, but it is not a safe plan for urgent needs. If you need help now, check programs that may help during the year. Program rules, funding, and wait times can change.
For local food, rent, utility, transportation, or family needs, call 211 Maryland. Also check Community Action help for local contacts.
Phone scripts
Calling a free tax site
“Hi, I am a Maryland parent and I need help filing my 2025 federal and Maryland tax returns. I want to check EITC, child tax credits, Maryland EITC, and child care credits. Are you taking appointments, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling the Comptroller
“Hi, I filed my Maryland tax return and need help understanding my refund or notice. I have my return and notice with me. Can you tell me what step is needed next?”
Calling about a tax notice
“Hi, I received a notice about my tax return. I do not want to miss a deadline. Can you explain what the notice is asking for and where I should send proof?”
Calling 211
“Hi, I am waiting on a tax refund and need help with food, rent, utilities, or child care now. Can you search for programs in my ZIP code?”
Resumen en español
Si trabajaste en 2025 y viviste en Maryland, tal vez puedas reclamar el EITC federal, el EITC de Maryland, el Crédito Tributario por Hijos y créditos por cuidado infantil. Debes presentar una declaración de impuestos para reclamar muchos de estos créditos, aunque tus ingresos hayan sido bajos.
Usa ayuda gratis de impuestos si puedes. Lleva tus formularios W-2 o 1099, documentos de tus hijos, número de Seguro Social o ITIN, datos del proveedor de cuidado infantil y cualquier carta del IRS o de Maryland. Si recibes una carta, no la ignores. Pide ayuda antes de que venza la fecha de respuesta.
FAQ
Can I get EITC if I am a single mother in Maryland?
Maybe. You must have earned income and meet federal or Maryland rules. Your income, filing status, number of qualifying children, Social Security number or ITIN situation, and investment income all matter.
Do I have to file taxes to get these credits?
Yes, in most cases. Tax credits are claimed on a tax return. Even if your income was low, filing may be the only way to receive a refundable credit.
Can Maryland ITIN filers claim EITC?
Some can. Maryland says some residents who file with an ITIN may qualify for the Maryland EITC, even if they cannot claim the federal EITC. Federal rules are different.
Can I claim child care costs?
You may qualify if you paid for care so you could work, look for work, or attend school, and the person cared for meets the rules. You must provide care provider information on your tax return.
What if another parent claimed my child?
Your return may be delayed or rejected. Do not file a second claim without checking IRS rules or getting tax help. Bring custody, school, medical, or housing records if a tax office asks for proof.
What should I do if Maryland denies my refund?
Read the notice first. Maryland says you can appeal some refund denials or assessments. Follow the deadline and instructions in the notice and keep copies of anything you submit.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org with details.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.