IRS Warns Millions May Be Missing Out on Up to $8,000 Through Earned Income Tax Credit

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that they could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table by not claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a key benefit for workers and families with low to moderate incomes.

As part of its annual EITC Awareness Day campaign, the IRS is encouraging eligible taxpayers to review their qualifications and file a return—even if they are not otherwise required to do so.

The Earned Income Tax Credit has a major financial impact nationwide. For the 2024 tax year, approximately 23.5 million workers and families received the credit, totaling nearly $68.5 billion in refunds. The average credit nationwide was $2,916.

In Florida alone, more than 2.2 million households claimed the EITC, resulting in $6.2 billion in credits. The average refund in the state was $2,802.

The IRS has partnered for over two decades with community organizations, employers, schools, and local governments to increase awareness of the credit, particularly among eligible taxpayers who have not yet claimed it.

To receive the EITC, individuals must file a tax return and request the credit during the filing process. The IRS advises that filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund.

Taxpayers can check eligibility using the IRS’s EITC Assistant and the Child-Related Tax Benefits Comparison Tool, both available online.

The agency also noted that refunds involving the EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit are expected to be issued by March 2, 2026, provided returns are accurate and direct deposit is selected.