Learn How to File a Retroactive EITC Claim — Step-by-Step

If you didn’t claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in a previous year, there’s good news:

You may still be able to receive that refund — even if it was from 2022, 2021 or 2020.

The IRS allows taxpayers to file retroactive claims for up to three years back.

That means thousands of dollars could still be waiting for you — if you act before the deadline.

✅ What Is a Retroactive EITC Claim?

It’s your legal right to file an amended tax return for past years where:

• You were eligible for EITC
• But you didn’t claim it
• Or your tax preparer/software didn’t include it
• Or you recently discovered you qualified

💡 Many people miss this because they thought their income was too high — or didn’t know the EITC even existed.

💸 How Much Could You Still Receive?

Here’s what the IRS allowed in recent years:

Even if you didn’t owe taxes, you may still receive this as a cash refund.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to File a Retroactive Claim

🔹 Step 1: Confirm You Were Eligible

Go back to your income from that year.
Use these rules:

• You worked and earned less than the EITC limit for that year
• You had a valid SSN
• You were not listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
• You had 0–3 qualifying children (or none)
• You filed a return (or can still file one)

🔎 Tip: Use the IRS EITC Assistant for each tax year (separately)

🔹 Step 2: Get Form 1040-X

📄 This is the IRS Amended Return Form.

You’ll also need a copy of your original tax return for that year (e.g., 2021 return filed in 2022).

🔹 Step 3: Correct or Add the EITC

Open your original return and review Line 27 (EITC field on Form 1040).

🖊️ If the field was blank or wrong, you now fill it correctly using the proper EITC table for that year.

• Add or adjust Schedule EIC if you had children
• Attach supporting documents if requested

🧾 Don’t forget to sign and date the amended return.

🔹 Step 4: Mail It to the IRS

Unlike regular returns, amended returns cannot be filed electronically for most years.

You must print, sign, and mail Form 1040-X to the IRS.

📌 Use certified mail to track delivery.

🔹 Step 5: Wait (But Track)

The IRS usually takes up to 16 weeks to process a retroactive claim.

You can check the status here:
🔗 [Where’s My Amended Return? Tool]

🕵️ Important: You’ll receive a direct deposit or paper check if approved.

📅 What’s the Deadline?

You have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim a retroactive EITC.

✅ If you missed a year, act fast. One missed deadline = money lost forever.

🧠 Why Most People Miss Out on Retroactive EITC

• They never knew they qualified
• Their tax software skipped it
• They thought it was “too late”
• They didn’t know about Form 1040-X

Now that you know, you have no excuse.

✅ What You Need to Start

✔️ Copy of your past tax return
✔️ IRS Form 1040-X
✔️ Correct EITC tables (or use the IRS calculator)
✔️ Schedule EIC if you had dependents
✔️ Envelope + certified mail receipt

📌 Reminder: This Is Your Money

It’s not charity. It’s not a bonus.

It’s money the IRS owes you — but only if you ask for it.

Don’t let it expire.