Q. Can I get the earned income credit?

A. You may be able to take this credit if a child didn't live with you and you earned less than $9,500. You may also be able to take this credit if a child lived with you and you earned less than $25,078 (with one qualifying child). Other rules apply. For details, refer to Tax Topic 601, Earned Income Credit (EIC), or Publication 596, Earned Income Credit.

Q. Can I claim the child and dependent care credit?

A. If you paid someone to care for your dependent under age 13 or your disabled dependent or spouse so that you could work or look for work, you may be able claim the credit for child and dependent care expenses. For specific information on how to qualify for this credit refer to Tax Topic 602, Child and Dependent Care Credit, or Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.

Q. Can I get the credit for the elderly or the disabled?

A. Generally, if you were age 65 or older or disabled and your income and nontaxable social security or other nontaxable pension are below specified amounts, you may be able to take this credit.

For more details, refer to Tax Topic 603, Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, or Publication 524, Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.

Q. What are advance earned income credit payments?

A. If you expect to qualify for the earned income credit in 1997, you may be able to start getting part of the credit with your pay now, instead of waiting until you file your 1997 tax return in 1998. This is called the advance earned income credit or AEIC.

To get part of the credit with your pay, you must have at least one qualifying child, and meet certain other conditions. You cannot get the AEIC if you do not have a qualifying child, even if you will be eligible to claim the earned income credit on your 1997 return. To see if you qualify, refer to Form W-5, Earned Income Credit Advance Payment Certificate, or Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. Additional information on the advance earned income credit is also available in Tax Topic 604.

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