Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
Wyoming does not have an individual state income tax, so it does not have a Wyoming state EITC, Wyoming child tax credit, or Wyoming income tax refund. But a single mother in Wyoming may still qualify for important federal tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, education credits, Saver’s Credit, and Premium Tax Credit.
The main step is simple: file a federal tax return, even if your income was low and even if you do not normally file. Use the IRS EITC tables and the EITC Assistant before you pay anyone to file.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. If your custody, income, immigration, divorce, or multi-state work situation is complicated, use free tax help or a qualified tax professional.
If you need help before a refund arrives
Tax refunds can help, but they are not fast emergency aid. If you claimed the EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit, federal law can hold the whole refund until at least mid-February. If rent, food, child care, utilities, or transportation cannot wait, contact local help now.
- Call Wyoming 211 by dialing 211 or 1-888-425-7138. The Wyoming 211 directory can help you look for food, rent, utility, tax preparation, and other local resources.
- For food, start with the DFS SNAP page and ask your local DFS office how to submit proof.
- For child care, check DFS child care and ask whether you can apply before your work or school schedule changes.
- For cash assistance, review POWER cash assistance, Wyoming’s TANF program.
Where to start
Start with your federal return. Wyoming residents still file federal taxes when they meet IRS filing rules or want to claim refundable credits. A refundable credit can increase your refund even if you owed little or no federal income tax.
1. Check if you had earned income
Wages, tips, self-employment, gig work, farm work, and some disability pay before retirement age can count as earned income for EITC. Child support, unemployment, Social Security, and SNAP do not count as earned income.
2. List each child correctly
Most child-related credits depend on age, relationship, residency, support, dependent status, and Social Security number rules. If another parent may claim the child, get help before filing.
3. File safely and keep proof
Use IRS Free File, VITA, TCE, or a trusted preparer. Keep W-2s, 1099s, child care receipts, school forms, custody records, and IRS letters in one folder.
For broader benefit help, use the ASMOM Wyoming grants guide with this tax guide so you are not waiting on a refund for every need.
Quick reference for Wyoming single mothers
| Question | Answer | Best first step |
|---|---|---|
| Does Wyoming have a state EITC? | No. Wyoming has no individual state income tax. | Focus on federal credits and free filing. |
| Can I get EITC with low wages? | Maybe. It depends on earned income, filing status, children, AGI, and investment income. | Use the IRS EITC Assistant before filing. |
| Can I claim my child? | Maybe. IRS rules look at where the child lived, support, relationship, age, and who else can claim the child. | Ask VITA or a tax pro if custody is shared. |
| Will the refund be fast? | Not always. EITC and ACTC refunds are held by law until at least mid-February. | Use IRS refund tools and plan for delay. |
Federal tax credits that may help
These are federal credits. They are not Wyoming payments, and approval is not automatic. The IRS can ask for proof if something does not match.
| Credit | What it may help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Earned Income Tax Credit | Low- and moderate-income workers, with or without qualifying children. | You need earned income, and investment income must be within the IRS limit. |
| Child Tax Credit | Tax break for qualifying children under age 17 at the end of the tax year. | For 2025, the child and filer rules include valid Social Security number requirements. |
| Additional Child Tax Credit | Refundable part of the Child Tax Credit for some families. | The IRS may hold refunds with ACTC until mid-February. |
| Child and Dependent Care Credit | Care costs that let you work or look for work. | You need the provider’s identifying information for Form 2441. |
| Education credits | College, trade school, and some job-skill education costs. | You cannot use the same expense twice for different tax benefits. |
| Premium Tax Credit | Marketplace health insurance premiums. | If advance payments were too high, you may have to repay some at tax time. |
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC is often the most important tax credit for working single mothers. For tax year 2025, the IRS lists maximum EITC amounts of $649 with no qualifying children, $4,328 with one qualifying child, $7,152 with two, and $8,046 with three or more. For single, head of household, married filing separately when allowed, or qualifying surviving spouse filers, the 2025 AGI limits are $19,104 with no qualifying children, $50,434 with one, $57,310 with two, and $61,555 with three or more.
The EITC is based on the whole return, not just one child. Use the IRS table and keep proof of where your child lived. If another adult may claim the same child, do not guess.
Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children. For 2025, the IRS says the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child, and the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child, depending on income and other rules.
The IRS also lists a Credit for Other Dependents of up to $500 for some dependents who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit. This can matter if you support an older child, parent, or other dependent, but the exact rules can be detailed.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
The child care credit may help if you paid someone to care for a child or other qualifying person so you could work or look for work. A qualifying child is generally under age 13, but a disabled spouse or dependent of any age may also qualify if they cannot care for themselves and lived with you for more than half the year.
You must identify the care provider on your return. Ask the provider for a completed Form W-10 or for their name, address, and tax ID before tax season ends.
Education credits
Federal education credits may help if you or a dependent paid eligible higher-education costs. The American Opportunity Tax Credit can be up to $2,500 per eligible student and is partly refundable. The Lifetime Learning Credit can be up to $2,000 per return and is not refundable.
If school is part of your plan, compare this guide with ASMOM’s Wyoming education grants and scholarships guide.
Saver’s Credit and Premium Tax Credit
The Saver’s Credit is for some lower-income people who make eligible retirement or ABLE account contributions. IRS Notice 2024-80 lists the 2025 head of household ceiling for any Saver’s Credit at $59,250.
The Premium Tax Credit may help if you bought health insurance through the Marketplace and were not eligible for affordable employer coverage or government coverage such as Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE. If health coverage is the bigger issue, also check ASMOM’s Medicaid guide.
Wyoming tax rules that matter
The official Wyoming tax page says Wyoming does not have an individual or corporate income tax. That means there is no Wyoming income tax return for wages and no Wyoming state EITC to claim.
Wyoming does have sales tax, property tax, and other taxes. For homeowners, the Department of Revenue runs a property tax refund program with income, asset, residency, and application rules. This is not the same as EITC, and it generally does not help renters directly.
Moved or worked across state lines?
Ask for help before filing if you lived in Wyoming but worked in another state, moved during the year, worked remotely for an employer in another state, or share custody with a parent in another state. Wyoming may not tax wages, but another state may have its own filing rules.
Free filing help in Wyoming
Do not pay a high fee just to claim basic credits if you qualify for free help. IRS Free File is online. VITA and TCE are in-person or local partner programs, depending on site availability.
| Option | Who it may fit | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File | Taxpayers with 2025 AGI of $89,000 or less, subject to partner rules. | Use IRS Free File. |
| VITA | People who generally make $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. | Use the IRS VITA locator. |
| TCE | People age 60 or older, often through AARP Tax-Aide sites. | Use the IRS free tax prep page. |
| Paid preparer | Complicated self-employment, custody disputes, audits, multi-state work, or old unfiled returns. | Ask for the total fee before you share documents. |
For local needs beyond taxes, ASMOM’s local resource guide explains how to use 211, community groups, public agencies, and local nonprofits without falling for “free money” claims.
Documents and information checklist
Bring more proof than you think you need. Missing documents are one of the biggest reasons refunds get delayed or claims get denied.
| Bring this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and Social Security cards or ITIN letters | Needed to verify you and each person on the return. |
| W-2s, 1099s, gig records, and self-employment records | Used to report income and check EITC. |
| Child care provider name, address, and tax ID | Needed for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. |
| School Form 1098-T and receipts | Needed for education credits. |
| Marketplace Form 1095-A | Needed to reconcile Premium Tax Credit. |
| Lease, school, medical, or child care records showing address | Can help prove where a child lived if the IRS asks. |
| IRS letters from this year or prior years | Needed if a credit was denied, held, or questioned before. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming Wyoming has a state refund. Wyoming has no individual income tax, so focus on the federal return.
- Letting someone else claim your child without checking. If two people claim the same child, both refunds can be delayed.
- Leaving out gig income. App work, cash jobs, and self-employment still need to be reported.
- Using the wrong address. The IRS and Marketplace need a current mailing address if they send a letter.
- Missing Form 1095-A. If you had Marketplace coverage, your return may be rejected without it.
- Paying from the refund without reading fees. Refund transfer products can make tax prep cost more.
What to do if your refund is denied, delayed, or questioned
First, read the letter. The IRS usually explains what proof it needs and gives a deadline. Do not ignore the letter because a missing response can turn into a denial.
If you claimed EITC or ACTC, check the IRS refund timing page and Where’s My Refund before assuming something is wrong. The IRS says EITC and ACTC refunds cannot be issued before mid-February by law.
If a credit was disallowed in a past year, you may need Form 8862 before claiming it again. If the issue is serious, contact VITA, a qualified tax professional, or the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Keep copies of everything you send.
Backup help while taxes are pending
A tax refund should not be your only plan for rent, food, child care, or transportation. In Wyoming, these programs may help while you wait:
- For groceries, review ASMOM’s Wyoming SNAP help and the national SNAP guide.
- For child care bills, compare this tax credit guide with Wyoming child care and ASMOM’s child care guide.
- For temporary cash support, start with Wyoming TANF help.
- For rent or shelter trouble, check Wyoming housing help and Wyoming emergency help.
- For support orders or custody-related tax questions, start with Wyoming child support and then ask legal aid or a tax professional before filing.
Phone scripts
Calling VITA or a free tax site
“Hi, I’m a Wyoming parent and I need help filing my federal return. I may qualify for EITC and Child Tax Credit. Are you taking appointments, what income limit do you use, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling a child care provider
“I am filing taxes and need the information for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Can you give me your legal name, address, and tax identification number, or a completed Form W-10?”
Calling DFS about food or cash help
“My tax refund may be delayed, and I need help with food or basic expenses. Can you tell me how to apply for SNAP or POWER, what proof I need, and how to send documents?”
Calling Wyoming 211
“I am a single mother in Wyoming waiting on my tax refund. I need help with rent, food, utilities, transportation, or tax preparation. Can you search for programs in my ZIP code?”
Resumen en español
Wyoming no tiene impuesto estatal sobre ingresos personales. Por eso, no hay EITC estatal de Wyoming ni reembolso estatal de ingresos. Aun así, muchas madres solteras pueden reclamar créditos federales si presentan una declaración federal.
Revise el EITC, el Crédito Tributario por Hijos, el Crédito Adicional por Hijos, el crédito por cuidado de niños, créditos de educación y ayuda gratuita para preparar impuestos. Si necesita comida, renta, servicios públicos o cuidado infantil antes de recibir un reembolso, llame al 211 o busque ayuda local.
FAQ
Does Wyoming have a state EITC?
No. Wyoming does not have an individual state income tax, so it does not have a state EITC on a Wyoming income tax return.
Can I get the federal EITC if I live in Wyoming?
Yes, if you meet the federal rules. Your earned income, AGI, filing status, investment income, and qualifying children all matter.
Can I claim EITC if I am self-employed?
Possibly. Self-employment income can count as earned income, but you must report it correctly and keep records of income and expenses.
Why is my refund delayed after claiming EITC or ACTC?
Federal law does not allow the IRS to issue EITC or ACTC refunds before mid-February. The IRS may also ask for more information.
Should I file if my income was very low?
Often, yes. Filing may be the only way to claim refundable federal credits. Free filing help can tell you whether filing makes sense.
Can both parents claim the same child?
No. Only one taxpayer can claim the same child for the same tax benefit. If custody is shared, ask for tax help before filing.
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.
Last updated: 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.