Do I need to amend my return if removing my unemployment income brings my AIG down below the maximum to receive the EIC?

Yes, if you know you are missing a credit for which you now qualify, you will want to amend.

If your tax return contains unemployment and a credit, the IRS will adjust both. See IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May  If your return has unemployment but you now qualify for an additional credit, then you should amend your return.

Here are some credits for which you may now qualify:

• Do I Qualify for the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled?
• Do I Qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit?
• What are the qualifications for the Earned Income Credit?
• What are Education Tax Credits?
• What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?

In addition, you may need to amend your state return. See Do I need to amend my state return to update my unemployment?

Once your original return is accepted and the finances are settled, you can file an amended return. 

• Save a copy of the original return before doing an amended return. See: 
  • how to file an amended return. The program will remove the $10,200 of unemployment and change things for you.
  • I need to amend my state return.
  • Can I e-file my amended state return?
  • Can I e-file my 1040X to amend my return?
• Track amended return status online. Taxpayers can track the status of their amended tax return in English and Spanish using Where’s My Amended Return?  Amended returns take up to 16 weeks to process and up to three weeks from the date of mailing to show up in the system.