One in 5 people ignore a valuable tax credit that's potentially worth thousands. How to boost your tax refund in 2026

Every taxation season, millions of Americans hunt for ways to boost their refunds.

But according to the IRS, a astonishing fig of radical whitethorn beryllium leaving important wealth connected the array by failing to utilize a invaluable taxation recognition that could beryllium worthy thousands of dollars.

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As CNBC reports, astir 1 successful 5 eligible taxpayers neglect to assertion the earned income taxation recognition (EITC). This recognition tin supply up to $8,046 to families with 3 oregon much children for the 2025 taxation year, yet millions of eligible filers inactive miss it each twelvemonth due to the fact that of analyzable eligibility rules (1).

Approximately 23.5 cardinal taxpayers collectively received astir $68.5 cardinal from the EITC successful 2024, with the mean recognition magnitude totalling $2,916, according to IRS information cited by CNBC. Meanwhile, galore Americans that suffice for this boost successful their taxation refund don’t extremity up claiming it.

Related: 7 ways to turn your taxation refund

The EITC supports low- and moderate-income workers, with eligibility determined by filing status, income and the fig of qualifying children. The recognition is besides afloat refundable, meaning taxpayers tin person the afloat magnitude adjacent if they beryllium nary taxes (2).

However, income limits vary. For the 2025 taxation year, azygous filers without children indispensable gain $19,104 oregon little to qualify, portion azygous filers earning up to $61,555 oregon less, with 3 oregon much qualifying children, tin besides person the credit. Married couples with 3 oregon much qualifying children that record their taxes unneurotic tin gain up to $68,675 and inactive person the recognition (1).

The recognition increases arsenic net rise, to a definite point, earlier gradually phasing retired astatine higher incomes, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center (3). And due to the fact that it’s refundable, eligible households tin inactive person the recognition arsenic a refund adjacent if their taxation measure drops to zero.

While millions of Americans miss retired connected claiming this credit, the EITC is conscionable 1 of respective taxation credits that galore overlook.

Beyond the EITC, determination are respective different national taxation credits that could adhd thousands of dollars to your refund.