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  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
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  - What is TurboTax Advantage (Automatic Renewal) and How Do I Enroll?
    Learn all about TurboTax Advantage (formerly known as Automatic Renewal).
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  - Cancelling or refunding TurboTax Advantage enrollment
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  - How do I update the info in "My Account", such as my e-mail or billing address?
    To update your account info, click My Account in the upper right corner of any page on turbotax.com.
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- Buying
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  - Entering Your Service Code in TurboTax Online
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Download & Install
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  - Windows Installer and .NET Errors
    Windows Installer, .NET errors, and other issues that can occur when installing or running TurboTax for Windows software
  - TurboTax System Requirements
    Minimum requirements for TurboTax software for Windows and Mac, plus TurboTax Online
  - Download Your TurboTax Software Purchase
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- Downloading
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- Installing
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  - Installing TurboTax for Windows
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  - Entering Your Service Code in TurboTax Online
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  - Find the Access Code for Your TurboTax CD
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- Updating TurboTax
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    Find out why TurboTax software prompts you for regular updates
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  - Manual Updates for TurboTax
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  - Error 42002: Could not connect to the update site
    How to resolve this error when attempting to update
  - How to Update TurboTax State
    Different ways to download the latest state software tax forms, bug fixes, and enhancements
  - Do I have to Buy a New TurboTax Program Annually?
    The answer may surprise you
- Reinstalling
  - Reinstall TurboTax for Windows
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    How to uninstall (or remove) your TurboTax software from a Windows computer
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Getting Started
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  - Need More Time? E-file an Extension
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    Ways to retrieve your lost or forgotten TurboTax Online username or password
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    5 reasons why this can happen and what your next steps are
  - Find Your Tax File in Windows
    How to find a tax return file created in TurboTax software for Windows
  - Open Your Tax Return
    How to open your tax return in TurboTax software
  - Transfer Last Year's Tax File
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- Signing In
  - Forgot your TurboTax login?
    Ways to retrieve your lost or forgotten TurboTax Online username or password
  - TurboTax Online 2011 is No Longer Available
    TurboTax Online shuts down every October in preparation for next year
  - Why Can't I Find My TurboTax Online Return?
    5 reasons why this can happen and what your next steps are
  - TurboTax Online Return Fails to Open
    Troubleshooting tips for timeouts when opening your TurboTax Online return
  - Error: You Haven't Used TurboTax in the Last 20 Minutes
    How to resolve this error after signing in to TurboTax Online
  - Start Over in TurboTax Online
    Clear your TurboTax Online return so you can start from scratch
- Starting TurboTax
  - Open Your Tax Return
    How to open your tax return in TurboTax software
  - Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
    Getting your tax file from a flash drive or other portable device onto your computer
  - Error 510 or 544
    Resolve errors 510 or 544 when opening your tax return
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    Resolve error 539 when opening or saving your tax return
- Transferring My Info
  - Transfer Last Year's Tax File
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  - Transfer to TurboTax Software for Windows
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  - Troubleshoot Transferring
    If you're having problems transferring your prior-year tax return to TurboTax
  - Review, Change, or Delete Transferred Information
    After transferring, you should verify and if necessary, update or remove data
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    Get a copy of the return you filed using TurboTax
  - Why Can't I Find My TurboTax Online Return?
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  - Find Your Tax File in Windows
    How to find a tax return file created in TurboTax software for Windows
  - Find Your Tax File in Mac
    How to find a tax return file created in TurboTax software for Mac
  - TurboTax Online Return Fails to Open
    Troubleshooting tips for timeouts when opening your TurboTax Online return
  - TurboTax Online 2011 is No Longer Available
    TurboTax Online shuts down every October in preparation for next year
Preparing My Taxes
- Top Answers
  - Need More Time? E-file an Extension
    5 minutes now gives you another 6 months to file. And it's free!
  - Who is a Dependent?
    If you support relatives or someone who lives with you, they could count as your dependents.
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    TurboTax walks you through filing your return if you receive a 1099-MISC for work as a contractor.
  - Where to Enter Form 1098 and 1099 Data
    We'll show you where to enter information from Forms 1098 and 1099 in TurboTax.
  - What Are Qualified Education Expenses?
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  - Rental Property Income and Expenses
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    Save time and energy by importing your W-2, 1099, and 1098 information.
- Personal Info
  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
    Don't worry about the 2012 tax law changes- we've got you covered! Despite what you may have heard, you are probably not affected by the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act.
  - Who is a Dependent?
    If you support relatives or someone who lives with you, they could count as your dependents.
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    View answers to frequently asked questions about claiming dependents.
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    Get step-by-step directions on how to file your tax returns.
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    See how certain community-property states affect your tax preparation.
- Wages & Income
  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
    Don't worry about the 2012 tax law changes- we've got you covered! Despite what you may have heard, you are probably not affected by the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act.
  - I Received a 1099-MISC, Now What?
    TurboTax walks your through filing your return if you receive a 1099-MISC for work as a contractor or freelancer.
  - Importing From Your Employer or Broker
    Save time and energy by importing your W-2, 1099, and 1098 information.
  - Entering Schedule K-1
    If you received one or more Schedule K-1s, we'll help you enter them.
  - Finding Your Investment Cost Basis
    To accurately report gains or losses on your investments, you'll need the cost basis.
  - What Are Qualified Education Expenses?
    See which education expenses count toward a tax credit or deduction.
  - Rental Property Income and Expenses
    Understand how to report your rental income and related expenses.
- Business Income & Expenses
  - I Received a 1099-MISC, Now What?
    TurboTax walks you through filing your return if you receive a 1099-MISC for work as a contractor.
  - Do I Have to Pay Self-Employment Tax?
    We calculate how much self-employment tax you'll need to pay.
  - Tax Deductions and Working from Home
    Learn how the home-office deduction works.
  - How to Calculate Estimated Taxes
    Let us determine if you need to pay estimated taxes.
- Deductions & Credits
  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
    Don't worry about the 2012 tax law changes- we've got you covered! Despite what you may have heard, you are probably not affected by the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act.
  - About the Earned Income Credit (EIC)
    What are the rules, and do you qualify?
  - What is the Child and Dependent Care Expense Credit?
    Find out about this credit applies to you.
  - What is the Child Tax Credit?
    TurboTax determines if your child qualifies for the child tax credit.
  - What Are Qualified Education Expenses?
    See which education expenses count toward a tax credit or deduction.
  - What Kind of Charitable Donations Can I Deduct?
    Give smartly if you want to take a deduction for charitable donations.
  - Medical Expenses I Can Deduct
    Understand the ins and outs of claiming deductions for medical expenses.
- Other Tax Situations
  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
    Don't worry about the 2012 tax law changes- we've got you covered! Despite what you may have heard, you are probably not affected by the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act.
  - Amend a Return
    We can help you amend a tax return you've filed to fix an error or to take an additional credit or deduction.
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    We explain why it's hard for some filers to avoid this tax
  - How to Calculate Estimated Taxes
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  - Using TurboTax Easy Extension
    TurboTax makes it fast and simple to file an extension.
- Federal Review
  - 2012 Tax Law Changes: We've Got You Covered!
    Don't worry about the 2012 tax law changes- we've got you covered! Despite what you may have heard, you are probably not affected by the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act.
  - Why is My Tax Refund Different This Year?
    Here are some common reasons why your taxes could have changed.
  - What is the Alternative Minimum Tax?
    We explain why it's hard for some filers to avoid this tax.
  - Is My Social Security Income Taxable?
    TurboTax calculates whether any or some of your Social Security income will be taxed.
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    Unemployment is considered taxable income by the federal government, but state rules vary.
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    Find out what type of state residency applies to you and your family.
  - Where to enter Form 1098 and 1099 data
    We'll show you where to enter information from Forms 1098 and 1099 in TurboTax.
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    Learn what to do if you need to file more than three state returns.
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    See tips on where to enter your important tax information.
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Printing & Filing
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After Filing
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    Why your refund may be more or less than what you anticipated
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    Why did my federal refund decrease after filing?
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  - IRS Rejection 0502
    Rejection code 0502 occurs when your employer's name or ID number doesn't match IRS records
  - IRS Rejection 0522
    Rejection code 0522 occurs when the first taxpayer's birthdate doesn't match IRS records
  - IRS Rejection 0507
    Rejection code 0507 occurs when a dependent has already been claimed
  - IRS Rejection 0501
    Rejection code 0501 occurs when the Social Security number for a child being claimed for the EIC doesn't match IRS records
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Why wasn't I allowed to take the Earned Income Credit (EIC)?

Updated: 1/25/2013

Article ID: IAS10557

The most common reasons why people don't get the Earned Income Credit are that their income is too high, they had investment income over $3,200, or they didn't have any earned income (income from a job).

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