The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a key policy supporting the living stability and work incentive of low-income worker and business-owner households. Ahead of the August payment, attention is focusing on the application targets, eligibility requirements, and application methods.

■ Payment Targets and Application Status The decision on whether to pay is made after comprehensively reviewing income and asset criteria. According to data, the proportion of single-person households is the highest, with a significant number of single-earner and dual-earner households also included. By age group, the application rate was high among those in their 30s to 50s.

■ Application Methods The National Tax Service is expanding its mobile guidance services. Recipients of the application notice can easily apply via ▲Hometax ▲Sontax (mobile) ▲ARS, etc. If you have received the notice, you can access Hometax or Sontax, verify your identity, check the necessary details, and submit your application.

In particular, the proportion of applications using mobile devices is steadily increasing. The system has been improved to expedite the process in cases where document submission is not required.

■ Key Inquiries and Screening Guide According to National Tax Service data, applicants most frequently inquired about ▲the payment timing after application ▲checking the progress of screening ▲the difference between first-half and regular applications ▲the criteria for calculating the payment amount.

The first-half EITC payment is determined after screening upon application. The final payment amount may vary depending on the screening results, and it is calculated by comprehensively reflecting the household type, income, and asset status. Since the first-half application occurs before the annual income is finalized, a future settlement process may take place.

■ Payment Schedule and Verification Methods Due to recent inflation burdens and rising living costs, inquiries regarding the EITC payment schedule are increasing. As the August payment date approaches, the demand to check application results and screening progress is also expected to rise.

The National Tax Service is guiding recipients on relevant details via text messages and mobile notices, and the results and progress can also be checked through Hometax and Sontax.

If you are unsure whether you applied, you must verify your eligibility through the National Tax Service's Hometax or your local tax office. Missing the application period may affect the payment schedule and procedures, so it is important to carefully review the notice.

[※ The information provided in this article is intended to aid general understanding of the policy, and actual policy application or results may vary depending on individual circumstances. As government policies are subject to frequent changes, please be sure to check official materials from the relevant ministries. This publication bears no legal or financial responsibility for this information. This article was written with the assistance of AI, undergoing data organization and sentence correction processes. Actual application eligibility, payment amounts, and payment schedules may vary based on the National Tax Service's screening results and official notices.]