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How far back can I claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?

Use the free tool — Tax Credit Check

You may still be able to claim past years

A lot of people are told they "didn't make enough to file" and never claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit. If that's you, the good news is that the IRS often still lets you go back and get that money. This page explains how far back, and what to do about it.

The three-year rule

According to the IRS, you can file a return and still get a refund for a past year within three years of that year's original due date. This is the same rule that decides whether you can go back and claim the EITC or Child Tax Credit for a year you skipped. (See IRS — Time you can claim a credit or refund.)

Which years might still be open

• In 2026, tax years 2023, 2024 and 2025 can still be filed for a refund, based on the three-year rule.
• The window for tax year 2022 closes on the April 2026 due date. Confirm the exact date with a VITA preparer before assuming a year is closed.

We don't know your exact filing history, so a certified preparer needs to check your specific dates before you count on any year still being open.

What the credits could be worth

Tax Credit Check never tells you a dollar amount. For your family size, the IRS EITC tables and the IRS Child Tax Credit page show the income limits and the range for each year — a VITA preparer computes your real number for free. These credits are often worth thousands, according to the IRS EITC tables. This is not tax advice.

Cash income, ITINs, and family situations

• Cash or 1099 work: it must be reported. Reporting it honestly can actually increase the EITC for lower earners. Self-employment tax also applies — a VITA preparer handles the math for free. Never leave income off or inflate it.
• No Social Security number: a worker filing with an ITIN cannot claim the EITC, per the IRS. But a child with a valid SSN may still qualify the family for the Child Tax Credit, per the IRS Child Tax Credit page.
• Grandparents and other relatives: you can often claim a child you're raising if the child lived with you more than half the year and meets the age test. If more than one person could claim the same child, IRS tiebreaker rules apply — a VITA preparer can sort this out.

Check what was already claimed, and file free

If you already filed a return and aren't sure what was claimed, you can request a free IRS transcript to see it. IRS-certified VITA volunteers prepare and e-file returns at no cost — find a site by ZIP code at the IRS VITA locator. Any preparer, paid or free, must sign your return and give you a copy. "Refund advance" loans carry fees — VITA does not charge you at all.

What to do next

Tax Credit Check is a free tool. Type in your household, roughly what you earned, and whether you filed each year — it reads your own numbers and tells you which credits you likely qualify for and which years may still be open, in English or Spanish. It is not tax advice and it does not compute your refund. For your real numbers, use a free IRS-certified VITA site or a licensed preparer.

Tax Credit Check explains federal tax credits in plain language from IRS sources; it can be wrong, and it is not tax advice. It does not compute refunds. File with an IRS-certified VITA volunteer (free) or a licensed preparer. Nothing you type is stored.