Last updated: June 20, 2026
Bottom line
New Hampshire does not have a state Earned Income Tax Credit like many states with wage income taxes. Most tax-credit help for single mothers in New Hampshire comes through federal tax credits, free federal filing help, Marketplace health insurance tax credits, and a New Hampshire property tax relief program for some homeowners.
The first credit to check is the federal EITC if you worked at any time during the tax year. Also check the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, education credits, Saver’s Credit, and Premium Tax Credit if they fit your situation.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. If your tax return includes shared custody, self-employment, mixed tax ID numbers, a Marketplace health plan, an IRS letter, or a past credit denial, ask for free tax help before you file or respond.
If you need help before tax season
Tax credits can help later, but they do not pay today’s rent, food, heat, child care, or medical bill. If you need help now, use local support first and handle taxes as a separate step.
- For food, housing, utility help, legal services, and local referrals, search 211 New Hampshire or dial 211.
- For urgent local resources, start with ASMOM’s emergency help page.
- For groceries, check SNAP help and WIC help while you wait for any refund.
- If you had Marketplace health insurance, use the Marketplace tax page before filing because Form 1095-A may be needed.
Where to start
Start with your real life, not a long list of credits. A mother with wages and two children may need EITC and Child Tax Credit help. A self-employed parent may need extra income records. A student parent may need education credits. A homeowner may need to check the New Hampshire property tax relief window.
If you worked
Use the IRS EITC Assistant and file a federal return if you may qualify. Part-time work, seasonal work, and some self-employment can count.
If you have children
Review Schedule 8812 before you claim the Child Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit. The child and taxpayer ID rules are strict.
If you paid care
Check Publication 503 if you paid child care so you could work or look for work. Ask your provider for tax details early.
If you own your home
Check New Hampshire’s property tax relief program before June 30. It is for some homeowners, not renters.
If taxes are one part of a bigger money problem, keep ASMOM’s New Hampshire help page open while you work through the steps.
Quick credit table
| Credit or program | What it may help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable credit for workers with low or moderate earnings | Use the IRS EITC tool | New Hampshire has no separate state EITC |
| Child Tax Credit | Credit for a qualifying child under age 17 | Use Schedule 8812 | SSN, age, residency, and support rules matter |
| Child care credit | Work-related care costs | Use Form 2441 | This is not the same as a child care subsidy |
| Education credits | Some college or job-training costs | Use Form 8863 | You cannot double-claim the same student costs |
| NH property relief | Part of State Education Property Tax for some homeowners | Use DRA or DP-8 | The filing window is short |
Federal tax credits to check
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC is often the most important tax credit for working single mothers. It is refundable, which means it may increase your refund even if your federal tax bill is low. You must have earned income and meet IRS rules.
For tax year 2025 returns filed in 2026, the IRS EITC tables list these income limits and maximum credits for filers who are not married filing jointly.
| Qualifying children | Max AGI: single or head of household | Max AGI: married filing jointly | Maximum 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 investment income limit is $11,950 or less. If you claim a child, the child must meet IRS rules for relationship, age, residency, and filing status. The child usually must have lived with you in the United States for more than half the year.
If another parent may claim the same child, do not guess. Shared custody, Form 8332, child support, and IRS dependent rules can overlap in confusing ways. ASMOM’s child support help page can help with support issues, but tax claiming rules are separate.
Child Tax Credit and ACTC
The Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children. For tax year 2025, the IRS says the Child Tax Credit can be worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child, and the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child when the rules are met.
The 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 other IRS rules. For 2025 returns, the taxpayer ID rules changed. If you or your spouse, when filing jointly, do not have the required SSN or ITIN by the due date, you may not be able to claim the credit. The child also needs the required SSN.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
The Child and Dependent Care Credit may help if you paid someone to care for a child or another qualifying person so you could work or look for work. It can cover care for a qualifying child under age 13, and in some cases a spouse or dependent who cannot care for themself.
You usually need the provider’s legal name, address, taxpayer ID number, and the amount you paid. Keep receipts, child care statements, bank records, app payment records, and subsidy letters. If you need help paying for care now, start with New Hampshire child care help instead of waiting for tax time.
Education credits
If you paid college or job-training costs, review IRS Form 8863. The American Opportunity Credit can be up to $2,500 per eligible student, and up to 40% may be refundable. The Lifetime Learning Credit can be up to $2,000 per return and is not refundable.
Keep Form 1098-T, tuition bills, school account records, and receipts for required books or supplies. For help paying for school outside of tax credits, check the national scholarships guide.
Saver’s Credit
The IRS Saver’s Credit may help if you contributed to an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), certain government plans, or an ABLE account when you are the designated beneficiary. Up to $2,000 of contributions may qualify for a single filer or head of household, making the maximum credit $1,000.
This credit is not refundable. That means it can lower tax you owe, but it will not create a refund by itself if you owe no tax.
Premium Tax Credit
If you had Marketplace health insurance, the Premium Tax Credit may have lowered your monthly premium. IRS Form 8962 is used to claim or reconcile the credit. HealthCare.gov says you should use Form 1095-A to complete Form 8962 if you had Marketplace coverage during the year.
Outside annual Open Enrollment, you may need a qualifying life event for a Special Enrollment Period. If you also need health coverage for children or pregnancy care, check your state coverage options before choosing a Marketplace plan.
New Hampshire tax notes
New Hampshire is different from many states because it does not have a broad personal income tax on wages. That is why the state does not have a wage-income return where a state EITC or state Child Tax Credit would usually be claimed. The IRS state EITC list does not list New Hampshire as having its own state EITC.
The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration says the Interest and Dividends Tax is repealed for taxable periods beginning after December 31, 2024. If you are dealing with an older year, read the DRA I&D tax page or ask DRA before assuming nothing is due.
Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief
New Hampshire’s DRA property relief program may help some eligible homeowners with part of the State Education Property Tax. It is not an income tax credit, and it is not for renters.
For the current filing period, DRA says applications are accepted from May 1 through June 30, 2026. DRA also says single homeowners with income up to $37,000, and married homeowners or heads of New Hampshire households with income up to $47,000, may qualify if they meet the other rules. Use the current DP-8 form or apply through Granite Tax Connect if the state site directs you there.
Because today is June 20, 2026, eligible homeowners have a short time left before the June 30, 2026 deadline. Renters should not use this program. Renters should check housing, utility, food, and local aid instead.
Free filing help
Many single mothers should not pay a high fee to claim basic credits. Start with free options before using a paid preparer or refund loan.
| Option | Good for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File | Guided federal software for eligible taxpayers | Start on IRS Free File, not a random ad |
| VITA or TCE | Free help for many lower-income filers, people with disabilities, older adults, and limited English speakers | Use the VITA/TCE locator during filing season |
| NH Tax Help | New Hampshire volunteer tax help and Tax-Aide information | Check NH Tax Help for local appointment options |
| Low-Income Taxpayer Project | IRS problems, audits, tax debt, or missing refunds | Contact 603 Legal Aid if you need dispute help |
Be careful with refund loans, refund transfer fees, and add-on products. A refund loan is not extra money. It can reduce the amount you receive. Ask for the full cost in writing before you agree to paid tax preparation.
Documents checklist
Gather records before you file or call for help. Missing papers can delay your refund or make it harder to answer a notice. ASMOM’s documents checklist can also help if you are applying for benefits or local aid.
| Document | Why it matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ID and tax IDs | Names and numbers must match IRS records | Photo ID, SSN cards, ITIN letters |
| Income records | Used for EITC, ACTC, PTC, and tax owed | W-2, 1099, unemployment, gig records |
| Child residency proof | Helps if the IRS asks where your child lived | School, child care, medical, lease, benefit records |
| Child care proof | Needed for Form 2441 | Provider tax ID, address, receipts, statements |
| Health coverage form | Needed if you had Marketplace coverage | Form 1095-A and Marketplace account records |
| Property tax papers | Needed for NH homeowner relief | Final property tax bill, DP-8 records |
| Letters and notices | Deadlines and appeal rights may be inside | IRS letter, DRA letter, offset notice |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using old credit amounts. Check the tax year you are filing, not only the year on the calendar.
- Claiming the wrong child. If two adults claim the same child, the IRS may delay refunds and ask for proof.
- Filing without Form 1095-A. If you had Marketplace coverage, you may need Form 1095-A and Form 8962.
- Forgetting self-employment income. Gig work, cash jobs, and side work can affect EITC and tax owed.
- Missing the property relief window. New Hampshire homeowner property tax relief has a short May 1 to June 30 filing period.
- Paying for fake help. Avoid ads promising secret grants, guaranteed refunds, or instant tax-credit money.
If your refund is delayed, denied, or reduced
If you claim EITC or ACTC, the IRS must hold the full refund until at least mid-February. The IRS refund tracker can show your status after you file. A delay can also happen because of identity checks, a missing form, a bank problem, paper filing, or a dependent claim conflict.
If you get an IRS letter, read the deadline first. Send copies, not originals, unless the agency asks for originals. If the issue is an audit, appeal, tax debt, identity problem, or denied credit, use the IRS LITC page or 603 Legal Aid for tax clinic help.
If the IRS says you cannot claim EITC, CTC, ACTC, or another dependent credit because of a past denial, you may need Form 8862. If your benefits were delayed or closed at the same time, ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize papers and questions.
Phone scripts
Calling a free tax site
“Hi, I am a parent in New Hampshire. I need help filing a federal return with EITC and the Child Tax Credit. Are you taking appointments, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling about an IRS letter
“I received an IRS notice about my refund, credit, or dependent claim. Can you tell me if your office helps with this type of notice and what I should have ready?”
Calling a child care provider
“I am preparing my tax return and need Form 2441 information. Can you give me your legal name, address, tax ID number, and a statement of what I paid last year?”
Calling about NH property relief
“I own and live in my New Hampshire home and want to ask about Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief. What is the current filing window, what income limit applies, and what property tax bill do I need?”
Other help if taxes are not enough
A tax refund can help, but it is not steady monthly support. If you need food, rent, heat, medical care, child care, or transportation, ask about programs tied to the bill you need help with.
- For rent, shelter, or moving problems, start with housing help.
- For monthly cash help, check TANF help if your family may qualify.
- For doctor visits or coverage gaps, use health care help as a starting point.
- For heat or electric bills, check utility help before a shutoff date.
- For civil legal problems, the national legal help guide can help you choose the right place to call.
Resumen en español
New Hampshire no tiene un EITC estatal como algunos otros estados. Muchas madres solteras deben revisar primero los créditos federales: EITC, Child Tax Credit, crédito por cuidado de niños, créditos de educación y el crédito del seguro médico del Marketplace.
Si recibió una carta del IRS, no la ignore. Revise la fecha límite, guarde copias y pida ayuda. Para preparar sus impuestos gratis, busque VITA/TCE, NH Tax Help o 211 New Hampshire. Si es dueña de una casa en New Hampshire, revise el programa estatal de alivio de impuestos sobre la propiedad antes del 30 de junio.
FAQ
Does New Hampshire have a state EITC?
No. New Hampshire does not have a broad wage income tax, and it is not listed by the IRS as having a state EITC.
Can I get the federal EITC in New Hampshire?
Maybe. You must have earned income and meet IRS rules for income, filing status, investment income, Social Security numbers, and qualifying children.
How much is the 2025 Child Tax Credit?
For tax year 2025, the Child Tax Credit can be up to $2,200 per qualifying child, and the Additional Child Tax Credit can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child if the rules are met.
Can renters get New Hampshire property tax relief?
No. The Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program is for eligible homeowners, not renters.
What if my child’s other parent claims the same child?
The IRS may delay a refund and ask for proof. Ask a VITA site, tax clinic, or qualified preparer before you file or respond to a notice.
Where can I file for free?
Start with IRS Free File, a VITA/TCE site, NH Tax Help, or 211 New Hampshire during filing season.
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.