Check Your Eligibility for the EITC Refund — Step-by-Step

Every year, the IRS leaves billions of dollars on the table in unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

If you worked in 2024, you may qualify for a refund of up to $7,430 — even if you didn’t owe any taxes.

Use this step-by-step guide to check your eligibility and learn exactly where to fill it in your tax return.

✅ Step 1: Prepare Your Information

Before checking, make sure you have:

🟢 2024 income info (from pay stubs, W-2s, or 1099s)
🟢 Number of dependents (if applicable)
🟢 Filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
🟢 Social Security Numbers (yours and any dependents)

🧠 You don’t need exact numbers. Approximations are okay for now.

✅ Step 2: Confirm Basic Eligibility

You may qualify if:

• Earned less than $63,398 in 2024
• Worked (part-time, full-time, gig, or self-employed)
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• You are not listed as a dependent on someone else’s return
• You plan to file a 2024 tax return in 2025
• You have zero to three qualifying children, or none

🧾 Even without children, you might still qualify!

✅ Step 3: Where to Find & Fill the EITC on Your Tax Form

🟩 Form Required: IRS Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)

🖊️ Where to Fill It:
🔹 Line 27 of Form 1040 – “Earned Income Credit (EIC)”

👉 This is the box where you report your EITC amount, calculated by your tax software or manually using IRS tables.

🔍 How to Fill It:

• If using software (e.g., IRS Free File), the credit is calculated automatically based on your inputs.
• If filling manually, use the IRS EITC Table to estimate your refund based on income and dependents.

📌 Pro Tip:
Use the IRS online tool → 🔗 [EITC Assistant Tool (IRS.gov)]
It estimates your refund and gives tailored instructions.

✅ Step 4: Attach Schedule EIC (If You Have Children)

If you have dependents, you must include an additional form:

📄 Schedule EIC (Form 1040)

🖊️ You’ll provide:

• Full names of children
• Birth dates
• Relationship to you (child, stepchild, sibling, etc.)
• Time they lived with you in 2024

❗ Make sure info matches the Social Security records exactly.

✅ Step 5: Choose Your Filing Method

You can file using:

🔵 Free IRS filing tools (Free File)
🔵 A local VITA center (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
🔵 A professional tax preparer (recommended for high refund values)

✅ In all cases, you must verify that EITC is selected or included in your return.

🧠 Retroactive Claim: Missed It in Past Years?

If you didn’t claim EITC in 2022 or 2023, you may still file a correction:

📄 File an amended return (Form 1040-X)

You may be eligible for a retroactive refund — up to 3 years back.

Learn How to File a Retroactive EITC Claim >>>

🧾 Summary: What to Do Now

1. Confirm you worked in 2024 and earned under $63,398
2. Ensure no one else is claiming you as a dependent
3. Gather SSNs and dependent details
4. Complete Form 1040 and enter EITC on Line 27
5. Attach Schedule EIC if you have dependents
6. File using a free tool or tax professional