2027 tax refund: How families with two children could qualify for up to $7,316

Some families with two qualifying children may be eligible for up to $7,316 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) . The amount is for income earned in 2026 and claimed on a federal tax return filed in 2027. It is a maximum, not a guaranteed payment: the credit depends on income, filing status and eligibility.

To qualify, a taxpayer must have earned income, such as wages, tips or self-employment income, and meet the IRS’s income limits. For two qualifying children, the credit reaches zero at $65,899 for married couples filing jointly and $58,629 for most other filing statuses. Investment income must not exceed $12,200 for 2026.

Who can claim the credit?

A child must meet the IRS rules for relationship, age and residency, including generally living with the taxpayer in the United States for more than half the year. Taxpayers claiming the credit with a child also need valid Social Security numbers for themselves and the child.

The $7,316 maximum is available at certain income levels. For a family with two qualifying children, it is reached when earned income reaches $18,290. The credit then begins to phase out as income rises. Families can claim the EITC on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR; those claiming a qualifying child must also file Schedule EIC.

The EITC is refundable, which means eligible taxpayers may receive money even if the credit is larger than the income tax they owe. The credit first offsets any tax owed, and any remaining amount can be included in the tax refund. It is not a separate payment that the IRS automatically sends to every family.

When could the money arrive?

Taxpayers will claim the credit when filing their 2026 tax return in 2027. By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the EITC before mid-February.

Direct deposit is available, and the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks, but processing times vary. Taxpayers can check their refund status through the IRS’s Where’s My Refund? tool.