Why is my Earned Income Credit (EIC) lower than what is shown in the IRS EIC tables?

The EIC tables calculate the Earned Income Credit two ways. Potential EIC is calculated based on earned income such as wages, and is also calculated based on Adjusted Gross Income which includes all of your income and not just wages. The EIC you can take on your tax return is the lower amount of the potential EIC calculated the two different ways.