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Official form guide
Form 15111: Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet (CP 09)
IRS Form 15111 is the Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet (CP 09) used by taxpayers to determine eligibility for the EIC. If you lived in the United States for 6 months or less in 2025, you do NOT qualify.
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IRS Form 15111 - Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet (CP 09)
IRS Form 15111 is the Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet (CP 09) used by taxpayers to determine eligibility for the EIC. If you lived in the United States for 6 months or less in 2025, you do NOT qualify.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Checking a disqualifying box in Step 1 will automatically disqualify you from the Earned Income Credit.
- 2Checking any disqualifying box in Step 1, which automatically makes you ineligible for the Earned Income Credit.
- 3Filing this worksheet for a qualifying child not listed as a dependent on the original Form 1040 instead of submitting Form 1040X.
- 4Leaving the child’s Social Security Number blank in the child information section.
- 5Answering “No” to the question about the child living with you for more than six months when the child actually did.
Plain English
Fill out Form 15111 to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Credit. Provide your contact details and information about any qualifying children, then submit it electronically or by mail.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-02-04 10:11:01
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you need to determine eligibility for the Earned Income Credit and you are claiming an EIC‑qualifying child who was listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040.
- Do not use it when you lived in the United States for six months or less in 2025, have a Social Security card not valid for employment, are an EITC qualifying child of another person, or are claiming a qualifying child not listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040.
- Check Form 1040X instead when you are claiming an EITC‑qualifying child who was not listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You are claiming an EITC qualifying child not listed as a dependent on your original return
Amends the original return to add the dependent for EIC purposes
✓ Verify the child was omitted from the original Form 1040
You are filing your regular income tax return and need to claim the EIC directly
EIC is claimed on Schedule 1 of Form 1040
✓ Confirm you meet EIC qualifications before attaching Schedule 1
You are filing a joint return and both spouses meet EIC age and residency requirements
EIC is calculated on the joint return
✓ Ensure both spouses are eligible and not claimed as dependents
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Step 1 checkbox for living in U.S. ≤6 months
Answer to residency question · Step 1 section of Form 15111
Child’s Social Security Number
Child’s SSN · Child information fields (2) on Form 15111
Did the child live with you for >6 months?
Yes/No response · Question 3 in child section
Age of qualifying child
Child’s birthdate to determine age at year end · Taxpayer records
Taxpayer age (25‑65) for no‑child credit
Taxpayer’s birthdate · Form 1040 personal info
Before you submit
- 1Verify you did not check any disqualifying boxes in Step 1.
- 2Confirm you are not claiming an EIC qualifying child who was not listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040.
- 3Enter the child’s name in the “Child’s name” field.
- 4Enter the child’s Social Security Number in the “Child’s SSN” field.
- 5Answer “Yes” to “Did the child live with you…?” if the child lived with you for more than six months.
- 6Count how many dependents meet the requirements and ensure the number is at least one if you rely on a qualifying child.
- 7Review the eligibility criteria in Publication 596 to verify you qualify for the credit without a qualifying child if no dependents qualify.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Step 1, checking any disqualifying boxes; if any are checked, stop and do not file the form.
- 2If no boxes are checked, fill out the child information in Step 2 for each qualifying dependent.
- 3Tally the number of dependents that meet the requirements and note eligibility.
- 4Upload the completed Form 15111 electronically via the Document Upload Tool or mail it in the enclosed envelope.
- 5Retain a copy of the submitted worksheet for your records.
Known limitations
- 1Does not apply if you lived in the United States for six months or less in 2025.
- 2Does not apply if your Social Security card reads “Not Valid for Employment.”
- 3Does not apply if you are an EITC qualifying child of another person.
- 4Does not apply when claiming a qualifying child not listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040; you must use Form 1040X instead.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 15111 (Earned Income Credit (EIC) Worksheet (CP 09)) is the February 2026 edition, revision 2‑2026; the source does not indicate a separate latest‑information page or describe changes from prior versions.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Rev. 2‑2026 (February 2026).
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source.
- Signature — Not stated in the official source.
Quick Facts
Downloads
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — revision date is Rev. 2‑2026 (February 2026).
- SRCForm p.1 — Step 1 disqualifying boxes (U.S. ≤6 months, SSN not valid, qualifying child of another) cause you DO NOT qualify.
- SRCForm p.1 — If you’re claiming an EIC qualifying child not listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040, you must file Form 1040X.
- SRCForm p.1 — If you’re claiming an EIC qualifying child listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040, complete the information below.
- SRCForm p.2 — Qualifying child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, grandchild, eligible foster child, or sibling, and be under age 19 (or under 24 and a student) or disabled.
- SRCForm p.2 — The dependent must have an SSN.
- SRCForm p.2 — The child must have lived with you in the U.S. for more than 6 months.
- SRCForm p.2 — If none of your dependents meet the requirements, you may be eligible without a qualifying child if you are at least 25 but less than 65, cannot be claimed as a dependent, and lived in the U.S. more than half the year.
- SRCForm p.2 — Use Publication 596 for detailed eligibility guidelines.
- SRCForm p.1 — Contact phone 800‑829‑0922 for address changes.
Common confusion points
Did I live in the U.S. for 6 months or less?
The residency question determines automatic disqualification.
→ Check your travel records for 2025 to confirm total days in the U.S.
Can I claim a child who wasn't a dependent on my original return?
Form 15111 is not for that situation; you must amend the return.
→ Verify the child was listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040; otherwise use Form 1040X.
Do I need to fill out the form if I checked a disqualifying box?
Checking any box ends eligibility; the form is not required.
→ If any box is checked, stop and do not submit Form 15111.
What if my Social Security card says “Not Valid for Employment”?
That status disqualifies you from EIC.
→ Confirm the card’s wording before proceeding.
Do I need to include a child who is over 19 but a student?
Age rules are specific: under 24 and a student qualify.
→ Check the child’s age at year end and student status.
Do I have to file this form if I qualify for EIC without a child?
Eligibility without a child is based on age and residency criteria.
→ Review the no‑child eligibility bullets in Step 2.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 1040X — file an amended return to correct EIC qualification errors.
Questions about IRS Form 15111
What is IRS Form 15111 used for?
Fill out Form 15111 to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Credit. Provide your contact details and information about any qualifying children, then submit it electronically or by mail.
Who must file IRS Form 15111?
Taxpayers who are claiming the Earned Income Credit and have an EIC‑qualifying child listed as a dependent on their original Form 1040 must file IRS Form 15111.
What information does IRS Form 15111 require?
The form collects the filer’s name, Social Security numbers, address, phone numbers, and for each qualifying child, the child’s name, SSN, and whether the child lived with the filer in the U.S. for more than six months.
Where do I file IRS Form 15111?
Submit the completed worksheet by uploading it electronically through the IRS Document Upload Tool or by mailing it in the enclosed envelope.
How do I complete IRS Form 15111?
Enter your personal and contact information, then answer the Step 1 questions. If no boxes are checked, provide each qualifying child’s name, Social Security Number, and residency status in Step 2. Review the answers in Step 3 to determine eligibility, then upload the form electronically or mail it as instructed.
What happens if IRS Form 15111 is filed incorrectly?
If you check any disqualifying box in Step 1, the worksheet indicates you do NOT qualify for the Earned Income Credit and you do not need to respond.
Did I live in the U.S. for 6 months or less?
The residency question determines automatic disqualification. Check your travel records for 2025 to confirm total days in the U.S.
Can I claim a child who wasn't a dependent on my original return?
Form 15111 is not for that situation; you must amend the return. Verify the child was listed as a dependent on your original Form 1040; otherwise use Form 1040X.
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