The IRS tax credit that 1 in 5 taxpayers are missing out on: Could you be eligible to receive up to $8,046?
Many of us would love to win the lottery, but the odds are stacked against us. However, but more attainable windfall could be had if you just claim it.
The 2026 Internal Revenue Service tax season kicked off on January 26 this year. Most American taxpayers will have to turn in their tax returns by April 15.
As you prepare your paperwork though, keep in mind that there are a number of valuable tax credits for which you may qualify. One in particular gets overlooked by around 20%, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Depending on your income and family size, the EITC can provide substantial financial relief and boost your tax refund. For the 2025 fiscal year, it could be worth over $8,000 to eligible taxpayers.
An #IRS step-by-step guide can help make preparing and filing your tax return easier, especially when you’re navigating the process for the first time: https://t.co/BFv307LdUD pic.twitter.com/PDVLXHafw0
— IRSnews (@IRSnews) February 27, 2026
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
The EITC is designed to assist low- to moderate-income workers by reducing their tax liability and, in many cases, increasing their refunds.
To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain IRS requirements:
- Earned income below the IRS limit
- Investment income below the IRS threshold
- A valid Social Security number by the tax return due date
- US citizenship or full-year resident alien status
- Cannot file Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income)
Other requirement include that your earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must fall below specific thresholds.
For instance, a single filer with three or more qualifying children must have an AGI under $61,555, while the limit for married couples filing jointly is $68,675. Additionally, your investment income should not exceed $11,950.
Need help? The IRS provides an online assistant to help taxpayers determine eligibility.
How much can you receive with the EITC?
The amount of your EITC refund depends on your household size and number of qualifying children:
- No qualifying children: Up to $649
- One qualifying child: Up to $4,328
- Two qualifying children: Up to $7,152
- Three or more qualifying children: Up to $8,046
Because the EITC is refundable, eligible taxpayers can receive a refund even if they owe little to no taxes.
Here's an #IRS tip that's worth sharing again: The ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool will give you a personalized refund date after your return is processed and your tax refund is approved. Find it here: https://t.co/Nxd7zDp5GV pic.twitter.com/QalI6zUito
— IRSnews (@IRSnews) February 22, 2026
When will you get your refund?
The IRS typically processes tax refunds within 21 days for electronically filed returns with direct deposit. However, EITC filers should expect a longer wait due to additional processing time.
According to the IRS, taxpayers claiming the EITC can expect their refunds starting March 2 — provided they filed electronically and chose direct deposit. Paper returns or mailed checks can take six to twelve weeks longer to process.
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