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IRSCredits & Incentives (8800/8900 Series)

Official form guide

Form 8867: 8867

Form 8867 is the Paid Preparer's Earned Income Credit (EIC) Checklist. Tax preparers must complete it when they claim the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Credit, or Head of Household filing status for a client.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 8867 - 8867

The form records the preparer’s due‑diligence steps, client‑provided information, and any supporting documents for the listed credits.

Risk Radar

Scan points

1A missing or incomplete Form 8867 can lead to a $5,000 penalty per return.
2Missing signature or date on the checklist
3Failing to attach the form to the return
4Incorrectly marking a due‑diligence question as “yes” without documentation
5Using an outdated edition of Form 8867

Plain English

If you are a paid tax preparer and you’re helping a client claim credits like the Earned Income Credit, you need to fill out a checklist that shows you asked the right questions and kept the right records. This is Form 8867. It’s a way for the IRS to see that the preparer did due diligence.

Submission Date

Filing date: 2026-01-27 16:10:45
Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

due diligence opportunity income

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What this form is for

Use when preparing a return that claims EIC, CTC, ACTC, AOTC, or Head of Household.
Do not use for returns that do not include any of those credits or filing status.
If the client is filing a non‑individual return, check other due‑diligence forms.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Client only claims standard deduction

No credit due‑diligence required

✓ Verify credits not claimed

No Form 8867 needed

Paid preparer is filing a corporate return

Different due‑diligence rules

✓ Use Form 1120‑PC

Form 8867 not applicable

Self‑prepared return with EIC

Taxpayer is responsible for due‑diligence

✓ Ensure taxpayer keeps records

No Form 8867 required

Deadline or filing window

Form 8867 must be filed with the client’s individual income‑tax return. For paper returns, attach the checklist before the IRS filing deadline (typically April 15). For electronic filings, upload the checklist with the return by the same deadline. No separate filing window exists.

—Number of qualifying children | Multiply by $6,000 (2023 EIC amount) | Total EIC credit | Verify against client’s earned income

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

Due‑diligence question 1 – Client’s earned income documentation – W‑2, 1099‑MISC – Often missing signature – High

Not clearly stated in the provided official source · Not clearly stated in the provided official source