Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a working single mother in Louisiana, the Earned Income Tax Credit may be one of the most important tax credits to check. The federal EITC is for workers with low to moderate income. Louisiana also has a state EITC that is based on the federal credit.
For 2025 tax returns filed in 2026, the federal EITC can be as high as $8,046 for a household with three or more qualifying children. Louisiana law currently sets the state earned income tax credit at 5% of the federal EITC through December 31, 2030, and the credit is refundable for resident individuals when it is more than the Louisiana tax owed.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Use official tools, free tax help, or a qualified tax professional for your own return. ASMOM also has a broader tax help guide and a separate Child Tax Credit page if you need more detail.
If tax season is causing an emergency
A tax refund can help, but it is not fast emergency aid. If you are short on rent, food, utilities, child care, or transportation, use tax filing as one step and look for other help at the same time.
- For basic needs, call or search Louisiana 211 and ask for tax help, food, rent, utility, and transportation resources in your parish.
- For Louisiana state tax filing or payment questions, start with LDR File Pay or your LaTAP account.
- For IRS problems that are causing hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate may be able to explain problem-solving options.
For help beyond taxes, see ASMOM’s emergency help, SNAP food help, and utility help guides for Louisiana.
Where to start
If you worked in 2025
Check the IRS EITC page. You may qualify even if you worked part time, changed jobs, had self-employment income, or had gig work.
If you have children
Check EITC, the Child Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, and Louisiana child care credits if you paid for care.
If filing feels hard
Use IRS free tax help or IRS Free File. Do not pay a large fee until you have checked free options.
Quick tax credit table
| Credit or deduction | What it may help with | Key reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable credit for workers with low or moderate income. | You must meet IRS income, filing status, SSN, and qualifying child rules. |
| Louisiana EITC | Louisiana credit based on your federal EITC. | For current law, check Louisiana EITC law. |
| Child Tax Credit | Federal credit for qualifying children under age 17. | For 2025, the child and parent generally need work-valid SSNs by the return due date. |
| Child and Dependent Care Credit | Federal credit for work-related care costs. | You need the care provider’s name, address, and tax ID if available. |
| Louisiana child care credit | State child care credit tied to the federal child care credit. | Refundability and carryforward depend on income and state rules. |
| School Readiness Credit | Extra Louisiana credit for certain child care at quality-rated centers. | You need Form R-10614 from the child care center. |
| School expense deduction | Louisiana deduction for some K-12 school costs. | It lowers taxable income; it is not a dollar-for-dollar credit. |
Federal and Louisiana EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit is for workers. Earned income can include wages, tips, self-employment income, and gig work. It does not include child support, unemployment, Social Security, pensions, or interest income.
The IRS sets income limits by filing status and number of qualifying children. For 2025 tax returns, the EITC income table lists these maximum federal credit amounts: $649 with no qualifying children, $4,328 with one qualifying child, $7,152 with two qualifying children, and $8,046 with three or more qualifying children.
Many single mothers file as head of household, but do not guess. Your filing status depends on your facts, including whether you paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home and whether a qualifying person lived with you. If you are separated or married but living apart, read the EITC rules or ask a VITA site before filing.
Louisiana’s earned income tax credit is separate from the federal EITC. Under current Louisiana law, it is 5% of the federal EITC for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2030. After that, the law says it drops to 3.5% unless lawmakers change it.
Simple example
If your federal EITC is $4,000, a 5% Louisiana EITC would be $200. This is only an example. Your actual credit depends on your final federal EITC and Louisiana return.
Child Tax Credit and other dependent credits
The federal Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children. For 2025 tax returns, the IRS says the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. The refundable Additional Child Tax Credit may be up to $1,700 per qualifying child, depending on income and other rules.
A qualifying child generally must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year, live with you for more than half the year, be claimed as your dependent, and meet relationship, support, citizenship, and SSN rules. The Credit for Other Dependents may help with a dependent who does not qualify for the Child Tax Credit, such as an older child or certain relatives, but it is not refundable.
If another parent, grandparent, or relative also wants to claim the same child, do not both file claiming that child. That can delay refunds and cause letters. If there is a custody order, child support order, or Form 8332 issue, consider getting free tax help and, when needed, legal help.
Child care credits for working parents
If you paid someone to care for your child so you could work or look for work, check the federal dependent care credit. A qualifying person is often a child under age 13, but some disabled dependents or spouses can also qualify.
Louisiana has a child care expense tax credit that starts with the federal child and dependent care credit rules. Louisiana law says the state credit percentage depends on federal adjusted gross income. A resident individual with federal adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less may have a refundable state child care credit. Higher-income households may have a smaller credit or a credit that can be carried forward, depending on the rules in Louisiana child care law.
Louisiana also has a School Readiness Tax Credit. For parents, the School Readiness Credit can add to the regular Louisiana child care credit when a qualified dependent under age 6 attended a child care facility that participates in the quality rating program and has at least two stars. The percentage is based on the facility rating: 50% for two stars, 100% for three stars, 150% for four stars, and 200% for five stars.
You must get the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credit, Child Care Expense Credit Certificate, Form R-10614, from the child care facility. Ask for it early, especially if you changed centers during the year. If you need help finding or paying for care, see ASMOM’s child care help and national childcare guide.
Louisiana school deductions and other credits
Not every tax benefit is a credit. Louisiana’s school expense deduction lowers Louisiana taxable income for certain K-12 costs. It is not a direct refund. For tax years 2024 and forward, Louisiana says the deduction is limited to $6,000 per dependent. Public school and home school expenses are generally 50% of qualified costs, up to the limit. Nonpublic elementary and secondary school tuition and fees may be treated differently under the state rules.
Keep receipts for uniforms, required supplies, textbooks, curriculum, tuition, and fees. Not every school fee counts. Field trips, meal plans, sports, and many activity costs may not qualify. If you are also in college or job training, federal education credits may help with higher education costs. For more school help, see ASMOM’s education grants page.
If you adopted a child, the federal Adoption Credit may apply. For 2025, the IRS lists a maximum adoption credit of $17,280 per qualifying child and says up to $5,000 may be refundable. Adoption tax rules are detailed, so use official IRS instructions or a qualified tax preparer.
Free filing help in Louisiana
Before paying for tax preparation or a refund advance, check free filing options. VITA and TCE sites are run by IRS partners and staffed by trained volunteers. The IRS says VITA generally helps people who make $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
In the New Orleans region, United Way of Southeast Louisiana says its free VITA help is for people who generally make $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, older adults, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Other Louisiana areas may use different appointment systems or local income screens. Call 211 or search local United Way pages for your parish.
For Louisiana state filing, residents and businesses can use LaTAP. The Louisiana income tax page says individual returns and payments are due on or before May 15 of the following year. State individual income returns for tax years 2024 and later must be filed through a LaTAP account if filing electronically through LDR. If you use IRS Free File software, check whether the software also offers free Louisiana filing.
| Option | Best for | Ask before you start |
|---|---|---|
| VITA or TCE | Simple returns, EITC, CTC, child care credits, basic W-2 income. | Do you handle Louisiana EITC and child care credits? |
| IRS Free File | People comfortable using tax software. | Does this partner include free Louisiana filing? |
| LaTAP | Louisiana state filing, payments, and notices. | Do I need to file federal first? |
| Paid preparer | Complex returns, business records, multiple states, rental income. | What is the full fee before refund advances? |
Refund timing and tracking
Do not build a rent or bill payment plan around the earliest possible refund date. Federal law keeps the IRS from issuing refunds with EITC or ACTC before mid-February. For many early EITC or ACTC filers, the IRS says refunds are expected by March 2 when the return is filed online, direct deposit is chosen, and no issue is found. Use IRS refund timing for the current filing season.
For Louisiana refunds, use LDR refund status or log in to LaTAP. Louisiana says to wait at least 4 weeks after electronic filing and 8 weeks after mailing a paper return before contacting the Department of Revenue. Calling does not speed up a refund.
If your refund is delayed and you also need help with food, medical care, or cash assistance, ASMOM’s FITAP/TANF help, WIC in Louisiana, and healthcare help guides may give you other places to start.
Documents checklist
Gather documents before you file. Missing papers are one of the easiest ways to lose credits or delay a refund.
| Bring or collect | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Needed by most tax sites and preparers. |
| SSN or ITIN cards | Needed for you and anyone claimed on the return. |
| W-2 and 1099 forms | Shows wages, gig work, unemployment, retirement, or other income. |
| Child care records | Needed for care credits; include provider name, address, and tax ID. |
| School receipts | May support Louisiana school expense deductions. |
| Form R-10614 | Needed for the Louisiana School Readiness Credit. |
| Marketplace Form 1095-A | Needed if anyone in your household had Marketplace health coverage. |
| Bank routing details | Needed for direct deposit. Check numbers carefully. |
| IRS or LDR letters | Needed if a prior claim was denied, audited, or adjusted. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming a child who does not meet the rules. The child must meet IRS relationship, age, residency, support, and dependent rules.
- Letting two adults claim the same child. This often causes IRS letters and refund delays.
- Forgetting self-employment income. Gig work, cleaning jobs, hair work, delivery work, and cash jobs may need to be reported.
- Using a preparer who will not explain fees. Ask for the full cost before you sign. Be careful with refund advance loans.
- Missing Louisiana credits. Ask about Louisiana EITC, child care credits, the School Readiness Credit, and school expense deductions.
- Ignoring letters. IRS or Louisiana letters often have deadlines. Open them and get help early.
If your tax problem connects to custody, support, domestic violence, or a court order, do not rely on a tax article alone. Get help from a tax professional, VITA, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, or a Louisiana legal aid office.
If your credit is delayed, audited, or denied
If the IRS sends a letter about EITC or child tax credits, read the letter first. It may ask for proof that your child lived with you, proof of relationship, income records, or school, medical, or child care records.
The IRS has a letter audit guide for EITC and tools to help identify documents. If the IRS denied or reduced certain credits before, you may need Form 8862 with a future return. Read the IRS page on denied tax credits before filing again.
For Louisiana problems, log in to LaTAP and read any notices. If you owe tax and cannot pay all at once, ask LDR about payment options instead of ignoring the balance. For broader money recovery steps, see ASMOM’s financial recovery and job-loss help pages.
Phone scripts
Calling 211 for tax and emergency help
“Hi, I’m a single parent in [parish]. I need free tax filing help and I may qualify for EITC or child tax credits. I also need help with [food/rent/utilities/child care]. Can you tell me the closest current programs and how to apply?”
Calling a VITA site
“Hi, I want to make a free tax appointment. I have children, paid child care, and may qualify for EITC. Do you prepare Louisiana returns and check Louisiana child care or School Readiness credits?”
Calling your child care center
“Hi, I am filing my Louisiana taxes. My child attended your center in 2025. Can you give me Form R-10614 for the School Readiness Tax Credit and the provider tax ID for my child care credit?”
Calling about a tax letter
“Hi, I received a letter about my tax return or credit. I need help understanding what documents to send and the deadline. Can you explain the letter and tell me where to upload or mail proof?”
Resumen en español
Si usted es madre soltera en Luisiana y trabajó durante el año, revise el Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC). También puede revisar el Crédito Tributario por Hijos, el crédito por cuidado de niños y los créditos de Luisiana. No necesita adivinar. Puede pedir ayuda gratis con sus impuestos por medio de VITA, 211 o recursos oficiales del IRS.
Guarde sus W-2, 1099, tarjetas de Seguro Social o ITIN, recibos de cuidado infantil, información del proveedor y cartas del IRS o del Departamento de Ingresos de Luisiana. Este artículo es información general, no consejo legal ni consejo de impuestos.
FAQ
Does Louisiana have a state EITC?
Yes. Current Louisiana law provides a state earned income tax credit equal to 5% of the federal EITC for tax years through December 31, 2030. The amount is based on your federal EITC.
Do I have to file a tax return to get EITC?
Yes. You must file a federal tax return to claim the federal EITC. You must file a Louisiana return to claim Louisiana credits or a Louisiana refund.
Can I get EITC if I only worked part time?
Possibly. Part-time wages, self-employment, and some gig work can count as earned income. You still must meet income, filing status, SSN, and other IRS rules.
Can I claim child care costs?
Possibly. If you paid for care so you could work or look for work, you may qualify for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit and related Louisiana credits. You need provider information.
Why is my EITC refund delayed?
Federal law prevents the IRS from issuing refunds with EITC or ACTC before mid-February. Other issues, missing documents, bank problems, or review can also delay refunds.
Where can I get free tax help in Louisiana?
Start with IRS VITA/TCE, IRS Free File, Louisiana 211, local United Way VITA programs, or LaTAP for Louisiana state tax filing and notices.
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 May 19, 2026, next review August 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.