Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Vermont and you worked in 2025, you may qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit, the federal Child Tax Credit, the Vermont Child Tax Credit, and child care tax credits. These credits can reduce what you owe. Some can also increase your refund.
For 2025 tax returns filed in 2026, Vermont changed some rules. Vermont now gives the full Vermont EITC to eligible workers with no qualifying children, while parents with qualifying children still use 38% of the federal EITC amount. Vermont also lists the state Child Tax Credit for qualifying children born 2019 through 2025 on Vermont Schedule IN-112, so children age 6 or younger may count for the 2025 Vermont credit.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules can change, and your facts matter. Use official tools, free tax help, or a qualified tax preparer before you file.
Need tax help fast?
If you missed the April 15, 2026 tax deadline, do not ignore it. If you are due a refund, file as soon as you can. If you owe Vermont tax and cannot pay all at once, file anyway and ask about payment options through myVTax before penalties grow.
For free filing help, start with free tax prep from the Vermont Department of Taxes, the IRS VITA locator, or Vermont 211 if you need a local site, a ride-friendly option, or help by phone.
Where to start
Start with your work income and your children's ages. That tells you which credits to check first.
If you worked in 2025
Check the federal EITC first. Then check Vermont EITC on your state return. The IRS EITC table shows the 2025 limits and credit amounts.
If you have children
Check the federal Child Tax Credit and Vermont Child Tax Credit. Also check our Child Tax Credit guide for a plain-language overview.
If you paid for care
Child care, day camp, or care for a disabled dependent may count if it let you work or look for work. Save the provider's name, address, and tax ID.
If you rented
Check the Vermont Renter Credit, even if you do not normally file a tax return. This is separate from EITC and child credits.
If money is tight beyond taxes, the Vermont help hub can help you find food, housing, child care, and local support in one place.
Quick credit table for Vermont single mothers
| Credit or help | What it helps with | Key rule for 2025 returns | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EITC | Refundable credit for lower-income workers | Amount depends on income, filing status, and qualifying children | Use the IRS EITC table |
| Vermont EITC | State refundable credit | 38% of federal EITC with qualifying children; 100% of federal EITC with no qualifying children | File Vermont Schedule IN-112 |
| Federal Child Tax Credit | Credit for qualifying children under 17 | Up to $2,200 per qualifying child for tax year 2025; refund part may be limited | Check the IRS Child Tax Credit |
| Vermont Child Tax Credit | Refundable state credit for young children | $1,000 per qualifying child listed on Schedule IN-112; reduced if income is over the state threshold | Use Vermont Schedule IN-112 |
| Child and Dependent Care Credit | Care costs so you can work or look for work | Federal rules apply; Vermont credit is 72% of the federal credit | Use Form 2441 |
| Vermont Renter Credit | Refundable credit for eligible renters | You generally must have lived in Vermont all year and rented at least six months | Check Vermont renter credit |
Federal EITC and Vermont EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit is for workers with low or moderate income. Wages, tips, self-employment income, and some disability pay before retirement age can count as earned income. Unemployment, child support, Social Security, interest, and dividends do not count as earned income for EITC.
For tax year 2025, the federal maximum EITC is $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. Your real amount may be lower because it depends on your income and filing status. Use the IRS EITC Assistant before you file.
For single, head of household, qualifying surviving spouse, or certain married filing separately filers, the 2025 federal EITC income limits are shown below. Many single mothers use head of household, but not everyone qualifies.
| Qualifying children | 2025 AGI limit for most single filers | Maximum federal EITC | Vermont EITC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $19,104 | $649 | Up to 100% of federal EITC |
| 1 | $50,434 | $4,328 | 38% of federal EITC |
| 2 | $57,310 | $7,152 | 38% of federal EITC |
| 3 or more | $61,555 | $8,046 | 38% of federal EITC |
Reality check
EITC claims are often delayed when a child's Social Security number, birth date, school address, or custody details do not match records. Do not guess. Bring papers that show where your child lived and who paid support for the home.
Vermont's 2025 form is important because it changed how the state credit works for workers without qualifying children. On Schedule IN-112, Vermont tells filers with qualifying children to multiply the federal EITC by 38%. If the number of qualifying children is zero, the form says to enter the federal EITC amount.
Federal and Vermont Child Tax Credit
The federal Child Tax Credit is for qualifying children under age 17 at the end of the tax year. For 2025, the IRS says the credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. Part of it may be refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit, up to $1,700 per qualifying child, depending on earned income and your tax return.
The federal child credit has strict Social Security number rules. The IRS says you, your spouse if filing jointly, and each qualifying child must have a Social Security number valid for employment and issued before the return due date, including extensions. If your family has mixed immigration or ID facts, use Vermont Legal Aid or a free tax site before filing.
Vermont also has its own refundable Child Tax Credit for young children. For 2025 Vermont returns, Schedule IN-112 asks for qualifying children born 2019 through 2025 and multiplies that number by $1,000. The credit may be reduced if your adjusted gross income is over $125,000.
If you need help with food or baby items while waiting for a refund, check Vermont WIC help and Vermont SNAP help. Tax refunds can help, but they are not a fast emergency plan.
Child and dependent care tax credits
The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit may help if you paid someone to care for a qualifying child or dependent so you could work or look for work. The IRS dependent care credit page says you must have earned income, pay qualifying care costs, identify the care provider, and use an allowed filing status.
For 2025, IRS Publication 503 says the expense limit is generally $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more. The federal credit is a percentage of those costs. It is not the same as getting all your child care money back.
Vermont adds a refundable state credit. On Schedule IN-112, Vermont says to multiply the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit by 72%. This can help when care costs are part of working or looking for work.
If your current issue is paying for care now, tax credits may come too late. Read Vermont child care help for subsidy paths that can lower monthly costs before tax time.
Tip
Ask your child care provider for their legal name, address, and taxpayer ID before tax season. You may need that information on Form 2441.
Vermont Renter Credit and home-related tax help
The Vermont Renter Credit is a refundable state tax credit for eligible Vermont residents who rented during the prior calendar year. You may be able to file it even if you are not required to file a full income tax return.
Vermont says you generally must have been domiciled in Vermont for the full calendar year, not be claimed as someone else's dependent, rent in Vermont for at least six months, and meet income limits based on family size. You also need the School Property Account Number, often called the SPAN, for the rental unit.
For tax year 2025 claims, the normal due date was April 15, 2026. If you are filing late or on extension, do not wait until the last minute. Vermont says no renter credit claim for the prior tax year is accepted after the October extended due date.
If rent, eviction, or a shutoff is urgent, start with Vermont housing help, Vermont emergency help, or Vermont utility help instead of waiting for a refund.
Free and low-cost ways to file
You do not have to pay a high fee to check these credits. IRS VITA and TCE sites offer free basic tax return help. For the 2026 filing season, the IRS says VITA generally helps people who make $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English.
Vermont also lists statewide help through Community Action Agencies, AARP Tax-Aide, United Way MyFreeTaxes, and software offers. Use Vermont Free File only from the state page or IRS page so the filing stays free if you qualify.
| Filing option | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| VITA/TCE | Low or moderate income, disability, limited English, older adults | Sites may open seasonally and appointments fill quickly |
| AARP Tax-Aide | Older adults and many low-to-moderate income filers | Some complex forms may be out of scope |
| Free File software | Simple returns and people comfortable online | Start from official links, not ads |
| Paid preparer | Complex custody, self-employment, prior-year, or audit issues | Ask fees before signing and review the return |
For a broader overview of filing and refund help, see ASMOM's tax help guide. If a refund problem connects to debt or credit damage, our Vermont credit repair guide may help with next steps.
Documents to gather before filing
Gather papers before you start. Missing documents can delay your refund or cause a credit denial.
| Bring this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Free tax sites and preparers need to confirm identity |
| Social Security cards or ITIN letters | Needed for federal credits and tax filing records |
| W-2s and 1099s | Shows wages, self-employment, unemployment, and tax withheld |
| Child care receipts | Supports Form 2441 and the Vermont child care credit |
| Provider tax ID | Needed for child care credit claims |
| School, medical, or child care records | Can help prove where a child lived |
| Rental address and SPAN | Needed for the Vermont Renter Credit |
| Bank routing and account number | Direct deposit is usually faster than paper checks |
| IRS or Vermont letters | Bring all notices if a return was delayed, changed, or denied |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not claim a child unless the child meets the age, relationship, residency, support, and dependent rules.
- Do not let a paid preparer rush you through a return you have not read.
- Do not use refund-advance loans without checking fees and repayment rules.
- Do not ignore IRS or Vermont letters. Many letters have deadlines.
- Do not use an old Vermont article for 2025 returns. Act 71 changed some state credit rules.
If the issue involves custody, domestic safety, child support, or court papers, ask for Vermont legal help before filing a return that could create conflict or risk.
What to do if your refund is delayed, denied, or reduced
First, check the IRS refund tracker and Vermont's refund status tool. If you claimed EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit, federal law can hold the whole refund until mid-February for early filers. After that, delays often mean the IRS or Vermont needs more information.
If your refund was reduced, it may have been offset for another debt, such as taxes, child support, court debt, or certain government debts. Read the notice carefully before spending money you expected to receive.
If you get a denial or audit letter, answer by the deadline. Send copies, not originals, unless the letter says otherwise. A free tax site may not handle every audit, but it can help you understand what the letter is asking for.
If loss of a refund affects health coverage, food, or child care, look at Vermont health help and Vermont TANF help while you work on the tax issue.
Backup options while waiting for a refund
A tax refund can help catch up on bills, but it is not guaranteed by a certain date. Use programs that match the actual need.
- Food: Apply for SNAP or WIC instead of waiting for a refund to buy groceries.
- Child care: Check Vermont child care subsidy options if care costs are blocking work.
- Housing: Call 211, your local housing agency, or Community Action if rent is overdue.
- Child support: For support order questions, see Vermont child support and the official state office.
Phone scripts
Calling a VITA or tax help site
“Hi, I am a Vermont single parent and I need help filing my 2025 federal and Vermont tax returns. I want to check EITC, Vermont EITC, Child Tax Credit, child care credit, and renter credit. Are you taking appointments, and what should I bring?”
Calling the Vermont Department of Taxes
“Hi, I have a question about my 2025 Vermont return. I need to know whether I should file Schedule IN-112, a renter credit claim, or both. Can you tell me which form or page I should use?”
Calling about a refund delay
“Hi, my refund status says it is still processing. I claimed EITC or child credits. Is there a letter or document request on my account, and what is the safest way to respond?”
Calling a child care provider
“Hi, I am filing taxes and need your legal business name, address, and tax ID for Form 2441. Can you also give me a year-end receipt for what I paid in 2025?”
Resumen en español
Si usted es madre soltera en Vermont y trabajó en 2025, revise el EITC federal y el EITC de Vermont. También revise el Crédito Tributario por Hijos, el Crédito Tributario por Hijos de Vermont, el crédito por cuidado de niños y el crédito para inquilinos.
No pague por ayuda si puede usar un sitio gratuito de VITA, AARP Tax-Aide, Vermont 211, o Free File. Lleve identificación, formularios W-2 o 1099, números de Seguro Social o ITIN, recibos de cuidado de niños, información del proveedor, y cartas del IRS o de Vermont.
Esta guía es información general. No es asesoría legal ni de impuestos. Si tiene una carta, una auditoría, custodia compartida, o preguntas de inmigración, pida ayuda de un preparador calificado o una organización legal confiable.
FAQs
Can I get Vermont EITC if I qualify for federal EITC?
Usually yes, if you file a Vermont return and meet Vermont rules. For 2025 Vermont returns, the state credit is 38% of the federal EITC if you have qualifying children. If you have no qualifying children, Vermont Schedule IN-112 says to enter the federal EITC amount.
Does Vermont have its own Child Tax Credit?
Yes. Vermont has a refundable Child Tax Credit for qualifying young children. For 2025 returns, Schedule IN-112 lists qualifying children born 2019 through 2025 and starts the calculation at $1,000 per child, with possible reduction at higher incomes.
Can I claim child care costs on my taxes?
You may be able to claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit if you paid qualifying care costs so you could work or look for work. Vermont also offers a refundable credit equal to 72% of the federal credit.
Can I claim the Vermont Renter Credit if I do not owe tax?
Possibly. The Vermont Renter Credit is refundable, and Vermont says eligible renters may file even if they are not required to file an income tax return. You must meet the renter credit rules.
Where can I file for free in Vermont?
Start with Vermont Free File, IRS VITA/TCE, AARP Tax-Aide, Vermont Community Action Agencies, or Vermont 211. Check each program's current income limits, appointment rules, and what forms they can handle.
What if my refund is delayed?
Check IRS Where's My Refund and Vermont refund status. If you get a letter, answer by the deadline. If the letter is confusing, ask a free tax site, Vermont Legal Aid, or a qualified tax professional for help.
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.