Does getting the EIC or CTC cause public charge problems for immigrant workers?
The EIC and CTC do not create public charge problems for immigrant workers. Receiving these credits is not considered an indication that the immigrant is unable to support him- or herself financially. In general, information on a tax return is confidential. The IRS cannot share individual tax return information with other government agencies, including the USCIS. There are exceptions in cases involving federal criminal or terrorism investigations or when the IRS thinks someone is breaking a tax law. For more information about which immigrant workers qualify for the EIC, how to obtain Social Security numbers and other immigrant tax issues, call the National Immigration Law Center at (213) 639-3900. Non-Traditional Families EIC and CTC eligibility rules give a parent who lives with his or her child more than half of the year priority in claiming the EIC, even if other family members who live with the child could also claim the credit. This is a custodial parent under IRS rules.
