Last updated: June 20, 2026
Tax information note
This guide is for general information only. Tax rules can change. Your filing status, custody order, income, child care records, Social Security numbers, school district, and IRS or Ohio notices can change the answer. Check with the IRS, Ohio DOR, a VITA site, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, or a qualified tax professional before you file.
Bottom line
If you worked in 2025 and are raising children in Ohio, the first credit to check is the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The federal EITC is refundable, so it may increase your refund if you qualify. Ohio also has an earned income credit, but Ohio’s credit is nonrefundable. It can lower Ohio income tax you owe, but it does not create an extra Ohio refund by itself.
For 2025 federal returns filed in 2026, the EITC can be worth up to $649 with no qualifying child, $4,328 with one qualifying child, $7,152 with two qualifying children, and $8,046 with three or more qualifying children. Use the official IRS EITC table before you count on a refund, because income limits and filing status rules matter.
Ohio parents should also check the Child Tax Credit, the ACTC, child care credits, and Ohio school district tax. For help beyond tax filing, keep the ASMOM Ohio help guide open while you work through the steps.
If you need help before a refund arrives
A tax refund is not quick emergency help. EITC and ACTC refunds can be held until mid-February for early filers, and Ohio refunds can take longer if the return needs review. If food, rent, diapers, utilities, medicine, or child care are urgent, call 211 while you work on taxes.
- For groceries, check Ohio food help before waiting on a refund.
- For eviction pressure, use emergency assistance and ask about local rent help.
- For a shutoff notice, see Ohio utility help and call the company before the shutoff date.
- For free filing help, use the IRS VITA/TCE locator or call 800-906-9887.
Where to start
1. Check federal EITC
Use the IRS EITC Assistant to check income, children, filing status, and the Social Security number rules before you file.
2. Check child credits
Review the IRS child credit rules and Schedule 8812 if you claim children or other dependents.
3. Check Ohio credits
Ohio’s earned income credit and child care credit are state credits. They can help lower Ohio tax, but they are not the same as federal refundable credits.
4. Check school district tax
Some Ohio school districts have income tax. Use The Finder before you file, especially if you moved in 2025.
Quick credit table for Ohio parents
| Credit or help | What it may help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable federal credit for workers. | Use the IRS EITC Assistant. | Income, filing status, child, SSN, and investment income rules apply. |
| Ohio EIC | Ohio credit tied to federal EITC. | Check the Ohio EIC law. | It is nonrefundable, so it only lowers Ohio tax owed. |
| Child Tax Credit | Federal credit for qualifying children under 17. | Use Schedule 8812. | The child generally needs a valid SSN for CTC and ACTC. |
| Care credits | Credits for care that lets you work or look for work. | Check the IRS care credit. | You need provider details and payment records. |
| Ohio care credit | State credit tied to federal Form 2441. | Review Ohio care credit. | Ohio modified adjusted gross income must be under $40,000. |
| Free tax help | Free basic tax preparation. | Start with IRS VITA or IRS Free File. | Sites may have income limits and return-complexity limits. |
Federal EITC for 2025 returns filed in 2026
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal credit for people who work and have earned income. Earned income can include wages, tips, self-employment income, and gig work. Child support, unemployment, Social Security, alimony, interest, and dividends do not count as earned income for EITC.
You do not need an Ohio state EITC to claim the federal EITC. Your exact credit depends on income, filing status, and qualifying children.
| Qualifying children | Maximum EITC | Top income: single or head of household | Top income: married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $649 | $19,104 | $26,214 |
| 1 | $4,328 | $50,434 | $57,554 |
| 2 | $7,152 | $57,310 | $64,430 |
| 3 or more | $8,046 | $61,555 | $68,675 |
The 2025 investment income limit is $11,950 or less. If you are filing another year, use the IRS table for that year.
EITC watchouts for custody and separation
EITC child rules are not the same as child support rules. The IRS checks relationship, age, where the child lived, joint return rules, and valid Social Security numbers. If another adult may claim the same child, get help before filing. For support issues outside taxes, use ASMOM’s Ohio child support guide.
Some separated parents may qualify for EITC without filing jointly, but the rules are strict. Ask a VITA site before you file.
Ohio earned income credit
Ohio’s earned income credit is based on your federal EITC. Ohio’s 2025 instructions say the nonrefundable Ohio EIC equals 30% of your federal EIC from federal Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 27a.
Here is the plain meaning. If your federal EITC is $4,000, your Ohio EIC starts at $1,200. If your Ohio income tax owed is $500, the Ohio EIC can lower that tax to zero. The rest does not become a separate Ohio refund.
Claim the Ohio EIC on the Ohio IT 1040 and Schedule of Credits. If your return also has school district income tax, use the current Ohio instructions and do not guess your school district number. For broader filing help, ASMOM’s tax help guide explains common single-parent tax issues.
Federal Child Tax Credit and ACTC
The federal Child Tax Credit is separate from EITC. For 2025, the maximum Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per qualifying child. The refundable ACTC can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child.
A qualifying child for the Child Tax Credit and ACTC must be under age 17 at the end of 2025 and meet IRS dependent rules. The child generally must have a valid Social Security number issued before the return due date, including extensions. If the child has an ITIN, ask whether the credit for other dependents could apply.
A child may qualify for one credit but not another. If a custody order, Form 8332, divorce paper, or shared custody issue is involved, ask for help before filing. ASMOM’s Child Tax Credit page can help you review the basics.
Child care tax credits
If you paid someone to care for your child so you could work or look for work, check both federal and Ohio child care credits. The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit is figured on Form 2441. A qualifying person is usually a dependent child under age 13, or a spouse or dependent who cannot care for themselves and lived with you for more than half the year.
You usually need the provider’s legal name, address, taxpayer ID number, and the amount you paid. Read Publication 503 if you paid a relative, used day camp, had a dependent care FSA, or are separated.
Ohio also has a child care and dependent care credit. Ohio says your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $40,000 and you must have claimed the federal child and dependent care credit on Form 2441. The state credit is limited by Ohio rules, so check the Ohio worksheet before you count on it.
If the child care bill is the main problem right now, a tax credit may not help soon enough. The ASMOM child care help guide explains Ohio subsidy paths outside tax filing.
Ohio filing notes that can affect parents
Ohio’s 2025 instructions say the Ohio and federal filing deadline was April 15, 2026. An extension gives more time to file, not more time to pay. If you missed it, file as soon as you can and ask Ohio DOR or a tax professional about next steps.
| Ohio item | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| State return | Use Ohio IT 1040 for individual income tax. | Ohio tax forms |
| School district tax | You may owe school district tax even if you owe no Ohio income tax. | The Finder |
| OH|TAX | Ohio’s online portal can file returns, make payments, and respond to some notices. | OH|TAX eServices |
| Ohio contact | Ohio lists 1-800-282-1780 for taxpayer assistance. | Ohio contact page |
Ohio school district tax can surprise families who moved. Your ZIP code may not be enough. Use your address and dates of residence, and keep records if your district changed.
Other Ohio help to check
Tax credits are usually once-a-year help. If you need steady help, check benefits and local programs while the tax issue is pending. Depending on your situation, review Ohio cash help, Ohio WIC, and the ASMOM local resource guide.
If you pay school costs, check IRS education credits. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you keep papers in one folder.
How to file free or low cost
Start with free options before paying a preparer. For the 2026 filing season, taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less can use IRS Free File. Some partners include a free state return, and some do not, so read each offer before you begin.
VITA and TCE sites prepare many basic federal and state returns for free. Services vary by site, so ask first if you have self-employment, gig work, amended returns, prior-year returns, custody issues, or debt cancellation.
Ohio online services can help with refunds, payments, forms, and some notice responses. Ask before filing a second return.
Documents checklist
| Bring or gather | Why it matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Free tax sites need to confirm identity. | Bring ID for you and your spouse if filing jointly. |
| SSN cards or ITIN letters | Names and numbers must match records. | Bring them for you, spouse, and dependents. |
| W-2s and 1099s | EITC depends on correct income. | Do not guess if a form is missing. |
| Gig work records | Self-employment income must be reported. | Bring app records, cash logs, and expenses. |
| Child care proof | Needed for Form 2441 and Ohio care credit. | Ask for provider name, address, tax ID, and total paid. |
| Residency proof | May help if a child claim is questioned. | Keep school, medical, lease, or benefit records. |
| School district records | Ohio school district tax depends on where you lived. | Keep dates if you moved in 2025. |
| IRS or Ohio letters | Notices can have short deadlines. | Bring the full notice, not just a photo. |
| Bank information | Direct deposit is usually faster. | Check routing and account numbers twice. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming a child too fast. Check who the child lived with for more than half the year.
- Using the wrong filing status. Head of household can help, but only if you meet the rules.
- Leaving out gig income. App work, cash work, and self-employment may need to be reported.
- Expecting Ohio EIC cash. Ohio’s EIC is nonrefundable and only lowers Ohio tax owed.
- Missing school district tax. Some Ohio districts have their own income tax.
- Filing twice. A second return can make refund delays worse.
- Ignoring notices. IRS and Ohio letters often list a response deadline.
Refund timing, delays, and offsets
The IRS opened the 2026 filing season for 2025 returns on January 26, 2026. The federal deadline for most taxpayers was April 15, 2026. IRS refunds are often issued in fewer than 21 days, but some returns need more review.
If you claim EITC or ACTC, the IRS cannot issue the refund before mid-February. Many early direct-deposit filers with no return issues were expected to receive refunds by March 2, 2026. Use the official IRS refund tracker instead of random refund sites.
For Ohio, use the Ohio refund tracker to check IT 1040 or SD 100 status. Paper returns can take several weeks to appear. Manual review does not always mean something is wrong.
A refund can also be reduced for some debts or offsets. If a federal refund is held and you face hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate can explain options. It cannot release an EITC or ACTC refund before the legal hold date.
If your refund or credit is denied, delayed, or changed
Open every IRS or Ohio letter. The notice should say what changed, what proof is needed, and when you must answer. Do not send original documents unless the notice asks for them. Keep copies of everything you mail or upload.
If the problem is with a federal credit, call the number on the IRS notice or ask a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Use the IRS LITC locator if you cannot afford tax help. If the problem is an Ohio notice, use Ohio’s contact page or OH|TAX notice tools.
If a delayed credit leaves you short on food, rent, medicine, or child care, ask for other help now. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help with notices and next steps. If the issue connects to custody, support, domestic violence, immigration, or safety, ask for legal help before sharing information that could affect another case. Start with Ohio legal help and check Ohio health help if medical costs are also part of the problem.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a VITA site
“Hi, I am an Ohio parent filing 2025 federal and Ohio returns. I need to check EITC, child credits, child care credits, and school district tax. What should I bring?”
Calling Ohio tax support
“Hi, I am filing an Ohio IT 1040 and may need EIC, child care credit, or school district tax help. What form or line should I review?”
Calling a child care provider
“Hi, I am preparing my tax return. Can you give me a year-end statement with your legal name, address, tax ID number, and the total I paid for care during 2025?”
Calling about a notice
“Hi, I received a letter about EITC, a child credit, or my Ohio refund. I do not understand what proof is needed. Can you help me read the notice and find my response deadline?”
Resumen en español
Si trabajó en 2025 y tiene hijos en Ohio, revise primero el EITC federal. El EITC federal puede aumentar su reembolso si cumple las reglas. Ohio también tiene un crédito por ingreso del trabajo, pero no es reembolsable. Solo puede bajar el impuesto de Ohio que debe.
También revise el crédito por hijos, el crédito adicional por hijos y los créditos por cuidado infantil. Guarde sus W-2, 1099, recibos de cuidado infantil, números de Seguro Social o ITIN, cartas del IRS u Ohio, y datos de su distrito escolar.
Si necesita comida, renta, servicios públicos, medicina o cuidado infantil antes de recibir un reembolso, llame al 211 y pregunte por ayuda local en Ohio.
Review dates
Last updated: June 20, 2026. Next review: September 20, 2026.
FAQ
Does Ohio have an earned income credit?
Yes. Ohio has an earned income credit equal to 30% of the federal EITC allowed for the year. It is nonrefundable, so it can reduce Ohio tax owed but does not create an extra Ohio refund by itself.
What is the maximum federal EITC for 2025?
For tax year 2025, the maximum federal EITC is $649 with no qualifying child, $4,328 with one child, $7,152 with two children, and $8,046 with three or more children. Your amount may be lower.
Can I claim EITC if I am self-employed?
Maybe. Self-employment income can count as earned income, but you must report it correctly and keep records. Some VITA sites help with simple self-employment returns, but complex cases may need a tax professional.
Can I claim child care costs on my Ohio return?
Maybe. Ohio has a child care and dependent care credit for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income under $40,000 who claimed the federal child and dependent care credit on Form 2441.
Why is my EITC or ACTC refund late?
Federal law holds refunds that claim EITC or ACTC until mid-February for early filers. Errors, identity checks, paper filing, debt offsets, or child-claim issues can also delay a refund.
Where can I get free tax help in Ohio?
Start with IRS VITA/TCE free tax preparation, IRS Free File, or Ohio Department of Taxation help. If you have a federal tax dispute and cannot afford help, check a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
What should I do if my credit is denied?
Read the notice, check the deadline, gather proof, and ask for help from VITA, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Ohio DOR, or a qualified tax professional.
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 20, 2026, next review September 20, 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.