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IRS Tax Tip 2026-09, Feb. 3, 2026
The Earned Income Tax Credit helps communities by supporting hard working low to moderate income families. The EITC helps millions of eligible workers and families each year by reducing the amount of taxes owed and possibly increasing a refund.
It’s estimated that about one in five taxpayers who are eligible for EITC don’t claim this valuable credit. The average EITC amount received nationwide for tax year 2024 was $2,916.
Who qualifies
Several factors such as income, family size and filing status affect the EITC credit. In general, to be eligible the taxpayer must meet the following criteria:
- Have earned income from working for someone or working themselves. Certain disability income may qualify, as well
- Income level is low to moderate
- A valid social security number by the due date of the return
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year
Military and clergy have special qualifying EITC rules, because using this credit could affect other government benefits.
The IRS EITC Assistant can help taxpayers with seeing if they qualify for the credit.
Timeline for EITC refunds
If the return was filed online, the taxpayer chose to receive their refund by direct deposit and there are no issues with the return, it’s anticipated that most refunds would be received by March 2, 2026.
By law, the IRS must wait until at least Feb. 21, 2026, to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxpayers can check Where’s My Refund for their personalized refund date.
More information
- Publication 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC)
- EITC central has tools and information for IRS partners, community organizations, employers, government agencies and offices and tax preparers