Last updated: June 20, 2026
Bottom line for Tennessee parents
Tennessee does not have a state Earned Income Tax Credit. The state does not tax earned wages, so most tax-credit help for Tennessee single mothers comes through the federal tax return.
If you worked in 2025, you may still be able to claim federal credits when you file in 2026. The main credits to check are the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, education credits, and the Premium Tax Credit if you had Marketplace insurance.
Tax credits are not grants. Some credits lower tax owed. Some can add to a refund. You usually must file a federal tax return to claim them, even if your income was low and you do not normally file. This guide is general information, not personal tax advice.
Urgent tax help in Tennessee
The regular federal filing deadline for 2025 returns was April 15, 2026. The IRS later gave Tennessee disaster tax relief for Winter Storm Fern and moved many federal deadlines for all 95 Tennessee counties to June 8, 2026. That extension date has now passed. If you missed it, file as soon as you can.
- Need refund status? Use IRS refund status before calling.
- Need free filing help? Start with IRS Free File or the VITA/TCE locator. Sites may be closed after tax season.
- Need food, rent, utility, or child care help today? Call 2-1-1 or use TN 211 for local referrals.
- Need more state help? Keep the Tennessee help guide open while you work through taxes.
Where to start
If you had wages
Gather every W-2, your child’s Social Security card, and direct deposit details. Then use the EITC Assistant to check the Earned Income Tax Credit.
If you had gig work
Report app work, cash work, cleaning jobs, delivery work, and other self-employment income. Bring simple records of income and expenses.
If you paid child care
Ask the provider for a year-end statement with the provider’s name, address, and tax ID. You may need it for Form 2441.
If a refund is delayed
Read every IRS letter. Many letters ask for proof or a missing form. Do not ignore the response date.
For a broader tax overview, see the ASMOM tax credit guide. For a wider list of state programs, start with Tennessee single mother help.
Quick reference
| Tax help | What it may help with | Main reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | A refundable credit for many workers with low or moderate income. | You need earned income and must meet IRS rules. |
| Child Tax Credit | A federal credit for qualifying children under age 17. | The child must meet IRS rules, including Social Security number rules. |
| Child care credit | A credit for care costs tied to work or job search. | You need provider details and records of what you paid. |
| Education credits | Help with eligible college, trade school, or training costs. | You usually need school records such as Form 1098-T. |
| Tennessee tax relief | Sales tax rules, property tax relief, and property tax freeze programs. | These are not state income tax credits. |
Federal tax credits to check
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit is often the largest federal credit for working parents with low or moderate income. For tax year 2025, the IRS lists the maximum EITC as $8,046 with three or more qualifying children, $7,152 with two children, $4,328 with one child, and $649 with no qualifying child. The IRS also lists the 2025 investment income limit as $11,950 or less.
| Qualifying children | Income limit for single or head of household | 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 |
To claim EITC, file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. If you claim a child for EITC, you usually use Schedule EIC. Review the IRS page on claiming EITC before filing.
Child Tax Credit
The federal Child Tax Credit can help parents and guardians with qualifying children. For 2025 returns filed in 2026, the IRS says the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. The refundable Additional Child Tax Credit can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child, depending on income and other rules. You generally need at least $2,500 in earned income for the refundable part.
The IRS says a qualifying child generally must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year and must have a Social Security number that is valid for work. Start with the IRS Child Tax Credit page if you are unsure.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
If you paid for care so you could work or look for work, you may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. A qualifying person is often your dependent child under age 13. A spouse or dependent of any age may also qualify if that person could not care for themselves and met the IRS rules.
The IRS instructions for Form 2441 say you must list the care provider. Ask for the provider’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number before filing. For year-round help with child care costs, see Tennessee child care.
Education credits
If you paid for college, trade school, or other eligible higher education costs, check the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The IRS says education credits can reduce tax owed, and part of the American Opportunity Tax Credit may be refundable. Use the IRS education credits page to compare them. For school money outside taxes, see Tennessee education grants.
Premium Tax Credit
If you bought health insurance through the Marketplace, you may need to reconcile the Premium Tax Credit. The IRS says Form 8962 is used to claim the credit or reconcile advance payments. HealthCare.gov says to use Form 1095-A to complete Form 8962. Start with IRS Form 8962 and HealthCare.gov tax forms. For health coverage options, see Tennessee health care.
Tennessee tax help to know
Tennessee is different from many states because it has no state income tax on earned income. The Tennessee Department of Revenue says Tennessee has no withholding requirement for wages because the state has no income tax on earned income. That also means there is no Tennessee state EITC.
That does not mean taxes never affect Tennessee families. Sales tax, property tax, and special tax holidays can still matter for a tight budget.
| Tennessee item | Who should check | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| No state EITC | Workers looking for a state refund credit. | Focus on federal credits and free filing help. |
| Food sales tax | Families budgeting groceries. | Food and food ingredients use a lower state rate, plus local tax. |
| Sales tax holiday | Parents buying school clothes, supplies, or computers. | Check the yearly date and price limits before buying. |
| Property tax relief | Low-income elderly or disabled homeowners, disabled veterans, and some surviving spouses. | Apply through the county trustee or collecting official. |
| Property tax freeze | Homeowners age 65 or older in participating places. | Apply each year if your city or county participates. |
The Tennessee Department of Revenue lists the state sales tax rate for most taxable items and services as 7%. Food and food ingredients are taxed at a lower 4% state rate, plus local tax. Candy, dietary supplements, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and prepared food are not treated the same as basic food ingredients.
Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday begins the last Friday in July and ends the following Sunday. In 2026, that means July 31 through August 2. The state says qualifying clothing and school supplies must be $100 or less per item, and qualifying computers must be $1,500 or less per item. Use the official holiday date and holiday items pages before shopping.
Property tax relief and property tax freeze are not income tax credits. They are mainly for homeowners who are elderly, disabled, disabled veterans, or surviving spouses. The Tennessee Comptroller explains property tax relief and the local-option property tax freeze program.
Free filing help in Tennessee
Many single mothers do not need to pay a tax preparer. For 2026 filing, IRS Free File guided software is for taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less. Start on the official IRS page so you do not click a search ad by mistake.
VITA and TCE sites offer free basic tax return help for people who qualify. The IRS says VITA/TCE volunteers must pass tax law training and each return gets a quality review before filing. Sites may be seasonal and may close after the main filing season.
Local options vary by area. United Way of Greater Nashville says in-person 2026 VITA sites are closed after the season, but it posts post-season and self-file updates on Nashville VITA pages. Memphis Public Libraries shares Memphis tax help information through LINC/2-1-1. The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga lists Chattanooga VITA tax services and updates.
If taxes are only part of the problem, also check Tennessee TANF, Tennessee SNAP, and Tennessee WIC. Those programs may help during the year instead of only after a tax return is filed.
Documents to gather
Gather papers before you file. Missing forms can delay a refund. Use the ASMOM documents checklist for a broader list.
| Bring or upload | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Free tax sites usually need to confirm who you are. |
| Social Security cards or ITIN letters | Names and numbers must match the return. |
| W-2 and 1099 forms | EITC and other credits depend on income. |
| Gig or cash work records | Self-employment income and expenses must be reported correctly. |
| Child care statement | Form 2441 needs the provider’s name, address, and tax ID. |
| School or medical records | These may help show where your child lived if the IRS asks. |
| Form 1095-A | You need it if anyone in your tax family had Marketplace insurance. |
| IRS letters | Bring every notice, even if it is confusing. |
| Bank routing information | Direct deposit is usually safer than a mailed check. |
Common mistakes that delay refunds
- Filing too early. Wait until you have every W-2, 1099, and Marketplace form you need.
- Claiming the same child twice. If another adult claims your child, the IRS may freeze or reject a return.
- Using the wrong filing status. Head of household has rules. Do not use it only because you are unmarried.
- Leaving out gig income. App work, cleaning jobs, delivery, babysitting, and cash work may affect your return.
- Guessing child care details. Ask the provider for a statement before filing.
- Ignoring an IRS letter. A letter may ask for proof, not deny the whole refund.
If the budget problem is urgent, check Tennessee utility help, Tennessee housing, and emergency assistance while you wait.
If your refund is delayed, reduced, or denied
Refunds with EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit are held by law until mid-February. For the 2026 filing season, the IRS said many early EITC and ACTC refunds would be available by March 2 if the return was filed electronically, used direct deposit, and had no other issue. If your return is still delayed, use the IRS refund timing page and refund status tool.
If the IRS denied or reduced EITC, Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents, or American Opportunity Tax Credit in a past year for reasons other than a math or clerical error, you may need Form 8862 before claiming the credit again. Read the IRS Form 8862 rules before refiling.
For audits, collection problems, or tax disputes, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic may help people who qualify. Start with IRS LITC help. If you have tried to fix a serious IRS problem and it is causing hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate may be another path.
If the tax issue connects to custody, child support, divorce, immigration, domestic violence, or safety, get qualified help before filing a return that could create another problem. Start with Tennessee legal help if you need a safe referral.
Backup help while you wait
A tax refund can help, but it is not a safe plan for a shutoff notice, empty fridge, eviction filing, medical need, or urgent child care need. Call 2-1-1 and ask for current programs in your county. Ask for more than one referral because funding can open and close.
For local agencies and charities, see Community Action help. If another parent’s support is part of the money problem, ask for local legal or child support referrals too.
Phone scripts
Calling a VITA site
“Hi, I am a Tennessee parent and I need help filing my 2025 federal tax return. Can you help with EITC, Child Tax Credit, child care expenses, or a 1099? Are you open now, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling a child care provider
“Hi, I am filing taxes and need a year-end child care statement. Can you give me the total I paid in 2025, your business name, address, and tax ID for Form 2441?”
Calling about an IRS letter
“Hi, I received an IRS letter about my refund or tax credit. I do not understand what is missing. Can you help me find the response deadline and the proof I need?”
Calling 211
“Hi, I am waiting on a tax refund, but I need help now with _____. Can you search for current programs in my county and tell me what documents they need?”
Resumen en español
Tennessee no tiene un crédito estatal EITC porque no cobra impuesto estatal sobre salarios. Muchas madres solteras todavía pueden reclamar créditos federales, como EITC, Child Tax Credit, crédito por cuidado de niños, créditos de educación y Premium Tax Credit.
Presente una declaración federal si puede calificar. Guarde W-2, 1099, números de Seguro Social, prueba de que sus hijos viven con usted, recibos de cuidado infantil y Form 1095-A si tuvo seguro del Marketplace. Si recibe una carta del IRS, pida ayuda antes de ignorarla.
FAQ
Does Tennessee have a state EITC?
No. Tennessee does not have a state income tax on earned wages, so there is no Tennessee state EITC. Tennessee workers should check federal credits and free filing help.
Can I get EITC if I am a single mother in Tennessee?
Maybe. You must have earned income and meet IRS rules for income, filing status, Social Security numbers, investment income, and qualifying children if you claim a child.
Do I need to file if I do not owe taxes?
Yes, if you want to claim refundable credits like EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit. The IRS will not send those credits automatically without a filed return.
What if another parent wants to claim my child?
Do not guess. Check where the child lived, any custody papers, and IRS rules. If there is a court or safety issue, ask a tax professional or legal aid.
Can a free tax site help with gig income?
Some VITA sites can help with simple self-employment or gig income, but not every site handles every form. Ask before making an appointment.
What should I do if my refund is delayed?
Check IRS refund status first. If you get a letter, answer it by the deadline. For a tax dispute or hardship, ask a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
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.