IRS Tax Tip 2023-18, February 13, 2023

The EITC helps workers who earned $59,187 or less when they file their tax return. Unfortunately, many people risk missing out on the credit because they don't know they're eligible — especially people who had a major life change and may qualify for the first time this year.

Other workers at risk for overlooking the EITC include those:

• Living in non-traditional homes, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild.
• Whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed.
• Without children.
• With limited English skills.
• Who are veterans.
• Living in rural areas.
• Who are Native Americans.
• With earnings below the filing requirement.

Taxpayers can check their eligibility and how much they qualify for at IRS.gov/eitc.

The EITC is a tax credit for certain people who work and have low to moderate income. A tax credit usually reduces tax owed and may also result in a refund.

How to claim the EITC

To get the EITC, qualified workers must file a tax return and claim the credit. Eligible taxpayers should file a tax return to claim the credit even if their earnings were below the income requirement to file.

Free tax preparation help is available online and through volunteer organizations:

• IRS Free File at IRS.gov/freefile.
• Free in-person tax prep help.
• A trusted tax professional.

Most EITC refunds deposited by late February

Although the IRS began accepting 2022 returns on Jan. 23, 2023, the IRS can't issue a refund that includes the EITC before mid-February. This is due to the 2015 PATH Act, which provides this additional time to safeguard against fraudulent refunds.

The Where's My Refund? tool should show refund status by Feb. 18 for most early EITC filers. Most EITC -related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 28 if the taxpayer chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.