Ohio Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham. State percentage sourced from the Ohio Department of Taxation. Last verified 15 July 2026.

Figure basis: Official Ohio Department of Taxation

The Ohio earned income tax credit (EITC) is a state credit for working people with low to moderate income, set as 30% of your federal EITC. This calculator estimates your federal EITC from your earned income, filing status, and number of qualifying children using the IRS 2026 tables, then applies the Ohio rule to give your state credit. The Ohio credit is non-refundable. Enter your details to see both your estimated federal EITC and your Ohio credit. Figures are an estimate: the IRS computes the federal credit from $50 income bands, so your exact credit may differ by a few dollars. The state percentage is sourced from Ohio Department of Taxation and verified for 2026.

A single filer in Ohio with 2 children earning $25,000 has an estimated federal EITC of $7,082.23 and a Ohio credit of $2,124.67 (30% of the federal credit).

State rate source: Ohio Department of Taxation, tax year 2026, as at Jul 15, 2026. Federal EITC per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

This credit is non-refundable, so your actual benefit is limited to the Ohio income tax you owe; it cannot add to a refund.

Earned income (USD) Wages, salary and self-employment income

Filing status Joint filers have higher phase-out thresholds

Qualifying children Children who meet the IRS qualifying-child tests

Estimated federal EITC$7,082.23

Ohio credit rate30%

Ohio EITC$2,124.67

How the Ohio EITC works

The Ohio credit is built on the federal EITC. First the federal credit is found from your earned income, filing status, and qualifying children (it phases in, plateaus at a maximum, then phases out as income rises). Then Ohio applies 30% of your federal EITC. The Ohio credit is non-refundable, so it can reduce your state tax to zero but is not paid out beyond that.

federal EITC = phase-in, plateau, then phase-out per the IRS 2026 tables
Ohio EITC = federal EITC x Ohio percentage

Editor's insight: Ohio's 30% credit only helps if you owe state tax

Ohio applies one of the more generous state percentages, 30% of your federal EITC, but the credit is non-refundable, and that single fact matters more than the headline rate. When Ohio raised the credit from 10% to 30% in 2019 and scrapped the old rule that clawed it back once income passed a threshold, the number on paper jumped. The credit still cannot drop below zero or add to a refund, so it only offsets Ohio income tax you actually owe.

Because Ohio's lower brackets mean many working families owe very little state tax, a large federal EITC can translate into only a modest Ohio benefit. Two households with identical federal credits can see very different Ohio outcomes based purely on how much Ohio tax each owes. That makes Ohio behave quite differently from neighboring Michigan, which pays a refundable 30% and can send money even when no tax is due.

Use the calculator to compare your estimated federal EITC against your likely Ohio liability: the smaller of the two is closer to your real gain. The tool shows the gross 30% figure, so treat it as a ceiling rather than a guaranteed payment, and check your state return for the exact amount that survives after your tax bill is applied.

Ohio EITC: frequently asked questions

How much is the Ohio earned income tax credit?

The Ohio EITC is 30% of your federal EITC. For example, a single filer with 2 children earning $25,000 has an estimated federal EITC of $7,082.23 and a Ohio credit of about $2,124.67. Enter your own details above for your figure.

Is the Ohio EITC refundable?

The Ohio credit is non-refundable, so it can reduce your state tax to zero but is not paid out beyond that.

Do I qualify for the Ohio earned income credit?

Generally, if you qualify for the federal EITC you also qualify for the Ohio credit, which is based on it. You need earned income, a valid Social Security number, and investment income under the federal limit ($12,200 for 2026).

How is the Ohio EITC calculated?

First your federal EITC is computed from your earned income, filing status, and number of qualifying children using the IRS 2026 tables. Then Ohio applies 30% of your federal EITC. This calculator does both steps for you.

Official sources

Ohio EITC percentage and refundability: Ohio Department of Taxation, as at Jul 15, 2026.
Federal EITC 2026 parameters: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, Internal Revenue Service.

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 July 2026. See our methodology. General information, not tax advice; your exact credit is set on your tax return.