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Reviewed October 1, 2026

Wisconsin Earned Income Credit

Wisconsin’s earned income credit is a refundable state tax benefit for qualifying working families with at least one child. Claim it on the Wisconsin income tax return for the applicable year.

Who can apply

['For the published 2025 guidance, full-year Wisconsin residents meeting federal EIC requirements and having at least one qualifying child.', 'Married taxpayers generally must file jointly; a qualifying head-of-household exception has specific conditions.', 'Wisconsin Schedule I adjustments can change the federal credit amount used for the state calculation.']

What help is available

For tax year 2025, the state lists 4% of the federal credit for one child, 11% for two, and 34% for three or more. There is no Wisconsin credit for a worker without a qualifying child.

Documents to prepare

Prepare the federal return, earnings records and qualifying child information. Keep residency and child household records, and check whether Schedule I adjustments apply.

How to get started

  1. Read DOR’s credit guidance for the year of your return.
  2. Determine the federal EIC for Wisconsin purposes, including applicable Schedule I adjustments.
  3. Claim the Wisconsin credit on the state income tax return.
  4. Ask a qualified preparer about filing status or a competing child claim before submitting.

After applying

Save the calculations and returns. If federal credit or income information is corrected later, ask DOR or a preparer whether the Wisconsin return needs amendment. Do not reuse a 2025 table for a later year without checking current instructions.

Website screenshots

These images show the pages captured in August 2026. Website screens and rules may have changed.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue earned income credit page.
August 2026 reference screenshot.

Common questions

Can a worker without children claim the Wisconsin credit?

Not under the published 2025 guidance; it requires a qualifying child.

Is the credit refundable?

Yes.

Can a part-year resident claim it?

The published 2025 eligibility criteria require full-year Wisconsin residency.

Is the percentage the same for every family?

It depends on the number of qualifying children.

Can Schedule I change the calculation?

Yes; Wisconsin-law income adjustments can require recomputing the federal credit used.

Sources and review

Historical screenshots: source reference.