Nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim this 'valuable credit,' IRS says (2024)

Smart Tax Planning

KEY POINTS

  • In 2022, roughly 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers.
  • But nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim the credit, which averaged $2,541 last year, according to the IRS.
  • For tax year 2023, the EITC is worth up to $7,430 for a family with three or more children, up from $6,935 in 2022.

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Tens of millions of Americans file tax returns every year — and many are missing a "valuable credit," according to the IRS.

In 2022, roughly 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, or EITC, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers.

But nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim the EITC, which averaged $2,541 in 2022, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters during a press call last week.

"This is a lot of money" that millions of Americans are eligible for "and some simply overlook it," he said.

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For tax year 2023, the EITC is worth up to $7,430 for a family with three or more children, up from $6,935 in 2022, according to the IRS. Eligible workers between ages 25 and 64 without a qualifying child can receive up to $600.

By law, if you claim the EITC, you should receive a refund no earlier than Feb. 27, assuming you've filed an error-free return and picked direct deposit for payment.

How the earned income tax credit works

"The credit is reasonably complex," said Steven Hamilton, assistant professor of economics at The George Washington University. "It has a lot of eligibility requirements."

For tax year 2023, you may qualify with wages from employment below $56,838 — $63,398 if married filing jointly — and investment income under $11,000, according to the IRS. The income limits decrease, depending on the number of qualifying children.

These thresholds use adjusted gross income, which is your total income after subtracting pretax 401(k) contributions minus "adjustments," such as certain pretax individual retirement account contributions and student loan interest.

The EITC is refundable, meaning you can still get a refund even without taxes owed. You can use this tool to check EITC eligibility.

Click here to view interactive content

There are also "qualifying child" guidelines, which can be complicated, including relationship, age and residency tests, Hamilton said.

However, the IRS encourages filers to use resources such as Free File, a tax professional or the agency's free tax prep programs to claim the credit.

There's a 'high improper payments rate'

"Millions of eligible taxpayers fail to claim the EITC, while other taxpayers claim amounts for which they are not eligible, leading to a high improper payments rate," National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins wrote in the 2023 Purple Book of legislative recommendations.

While higher earners are more likely to face an audit, EITC claimants see audits at a 5.5 times higher rate than the rest of U.S. filers, partially due to improper payments, according to a December report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

This has contributed to racial disparities in audit rates, with Black Americans about three to five times more likely to see an audit, according to a 2023 Stanford University study. The IRS confirmed these findings in May 2023 and said the agency has dedicated "significant resources" to address the issue.

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Nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim this 'valuable credit,' IRS says (2024)

FAQs

Nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim this 'valuable credit,' IRS says? ›

Nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim this 'valuable credit,' IRS says. In 2022, roughly 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers.

What is the meaning of TDS credit out of 5 claimed this year? ›

This means the amount of TDS you say belong to your current year's income for eg someone deducted TDS on advance paid to you but the final payment is made in next year so you will write zero in column no. 6 and carry forward the credit.

Why am I not eligible for dependent tax credit? ›

To receive the credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses, the expenses had to have been paid for care to be provided so that you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) could work or look for work. If both spouses do not show "earned income" (W-2's, business income, etc.), you generally cannot claim the credit.

What disqualifies you from earned income credit 2024? ›

If you received more than $11,000 in investment income or income from rentals, royalties, or stock and other asset sales during 2023, you can't qualify for the EIC. This amount increases to $11,600 in 2024. You have to be 25 or older but under 65 to qualify for the EIC.

Why don't I qualify for the earned income tax credit? ›

To qualify for the EITC, you must: Have worked and earned income under $63,398. Have investment income below $11,000 in the tax year 2023. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2023 return (including extensions)

What happens if TDS is not claimed in return of income? ›

1) Pay the Income tax again: - If the employee doesn't claim the TDS credit while filing the ITR, then he will have to pay the Income Tax again on the Salary Income. The employee will face a double whammy of tax; first at the time of TDS deduction and second at the time of filing ITR.

What is the meaning of 5% TDS? ›

Full form of TDS is Tax Deducted at Source. You may have experienced TDS in many forms - Bank FDs, salary payments to vendor payments, and TDS seem to infiltrate everywhere. Normally, TDS means an advance tax withheld by the payor from your income, whichever form it is. So, it ends up reducing your income.

Can a single person with no dependents claim earned income credit? ›

If You Have No Qualifying Children

You may qualify for the EITC if you are 19 years old or older and not a student.

Who qualifies for the $500 other dependent credit? ›

The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. This credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older. Dependents who have Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers.

What is the income limit for the dependent credit? ›

2022 CalEITC credit
Number of qualifying childrenCalifornia maximum incomeFederal EITC (up to)
None$30,000$560
1$30,000$3,733
2$30,000$6,146
3 or more$30,000$6,935
Mar 28, 2024

Is the IRS holding EITC refunds 2024? ›

The law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund – not just the portion associated with the EITC or ACTC. The IRS expects most EITC and ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb.

How to get $7000 tax refund? ›

Requirements to receive up to $7,000 for the Earned Income Tax Credit refund (EITC)
  1. Have worked and earned income under $63,398.
  2. Have investment income below $11,000 in the tax year 2023.
  3. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2023 return (including extensions)
Apr 12, 2024

Can a 65 year old get earned income credit? ›

There is no upper age limit for claiming the credit if taxpayers have earned income. The EITC is generally available to workers without qualifying children who are at least 19 years old with earned income below $21,430 for those filing single and $27,380 for spouses filing a joint return.

How much money can a 70 year old make without paying taxes? ›

For retirees 65 and older, here's when you can stop filing taxes: Single retirees who earn less than $14,250. Married retirees filing jointly, who earn less than $26,450 if one spouse is 65 or older or who earn less than $27,800 if both spouses are age 65 or older. Married retirees filing separately who earn less than ...

How much money can a 72 year old make without paying taxes? ›

If you are at least 65, unmarried, and receive $15,700 or more in nonexempt income in addition to your Social Security benefits, you typically need to file a federal income tax return (tax year 2023).

What are the most common AOTC errors? ›

The most common AOTC errors are claiming the credit for a student: who didn't attend an eligible educational institution, who already completed the first four years of post-secondary education, for whom qualifying college or other post-secondary education expenses weren't paid, or.

What is TDS credit claimed? ›

Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is the sum that is deducted from a taxpayer's income like salary, interest from bank accounts, rent etc. If the TDS collected is more than what you owe to the government, you can get a TDS Refund. Let us explore this concept in detail.

What is TDS credit out? ›

The recipient will add the gross amount to his income and the amount of TDS is adjusted against his final tax liability. The recipient takes credit for the amount already deducted and paid on his behalf. This will help the government to collect the taxes in advance and to track the transactions in an effective manner.

How to fill TDS credit claimed this year? ›

First is to declare it in your IT return form and the income tax department will automatically compute the refund and credit it to your bank account. Second way is to fill form 15G and submit it in your bank telling them that your salary is below tax slab and hence no tax should be levied on it.

What is the meaning of TDS credit? ›

TDS full form is Tax Deducted at Source. Under this mechanism, if a person (deductor) is liable to make payment to any other person (deductee) will deduct tax at source and transfer the balance to the deductee.

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