Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public...

Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants are answering readers' tax questions through April 15.

Q: What filing statuses can you use or not use in order to get the earned income credit?

A: In order to be eligible for the earned income credit, you cannot use the married, filing separately status. You may be eligible for the earned income credit if your filing status is: single, married filing jointly, head of household or qualifying widow or widower with dependent child. If your filing status and income make you eligible for the earned income credit, you may also be eligible to claim half of the federal credit on Line 61 of the Maryland Form 502.

The above advice is for general purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice. Specific situations may vary.

Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants will answer selected tax questions from readers until April 15. To ask a tax question, call Sundial, The Sun's telephone information service, at [phone]. Using a touch-tone phone, enter 6225 after you hear the greeting. Please leave your name and phone number in case a question needs clarification; names and numbers will not be published. No questions will be answered by phone.

Pub Date: 3/28/96