can a dependant claim earned income credit if they have a qualyfing child?

Answer 1

You can't claim a dependent if you can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer. And the rules for claiming the EIC with a qualifying child say that you can't be a qualifying child of another person. The tests for a qualifying child do not say anything that they have to be a dependent. So it would probably depend on what kind of dependent you are - if a qualifying child, no, if a qualifying relative, then maybe. If someone other than the 1st-mentioned dependent takes the exemption for the child, then the dependent can't take the EIC based on that child.

So in most cases, no, but there could be unusual combinations of circumstances where it would be possible.

Answer 2

if someone is claiming that dependent, no but the person who was claiming that dependent would probably be able to if they qualified.