Core Insights - The IRS anticipates that 164 million individuals will file tax returns by April 15, with an average refund projected to be $1,000 higher than last year's average of $3,167 due to changes in tax law [1] Group 1: Tax Filing and Refunds - The IRS processed over 165 million individual income tax returns last year, with 94% submitted electronically [1] - Taxpayers filing electronically can expect to receive their refunds in 21 days or less, while paper returns may take four weeks or more [3] - The IRS advises against relying on receiving refunds by specific dates, especially for major purchases or bill payments [4] Group 2: IRS Workforce and Challenges - The IRS has experienced a significant reduction in workforce, starting 2025 with approximately 102,000 employees and ending with around 74,000 due to firings and layoffs [3] - The national taxpayer advocate has warned that the 2026 tax filing season may present challenges for taxpayers encountering issues, attributed to the exodus of IRS workers since the Trump administration [2] Group 3: Refund Status and Tools - Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds using the online tool "Where's My Refund?" within 24 hours of e-filing or generally within four weeks of filing a paper return [4] - The IRS2Go app and IRS Individual Online Account are additional resources for checking refund status [5] - To qualify for a refund, taxpayers must file a return, and they have three years to claim a tax refund [5]

Core Points - The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to provide tax relief to low-income and moderate-income workers, potentially adding hundreds or thousands of dollars to their income if they qualify [1] - Approximately 20% of eligible taxpayers do not claim the EITC, often due to lack of awareness or not being required to file a tax return [1] Group 1: EITC Overview - The EITC is a refundable tax credit that can reduce tax liability or increase tax refunds for qualifying individuals [3][4] - Eligibility for the EITC is based on several criteria, including income level, filing status, and family size [3][8] Group 2: Eligibility Requirements - In 2025, a single filer with no dependents must have an income below $19,104 to qualify for the EITC, while a married couple with three or more children can qualify with an income below $68,675 [8] - A qualifying child must be under 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, and must have lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year [9][10] Group 3: Claiming the EITC - To claim the EITC, taxpayers must complete Form 1040 and Schedule EIC, providing necessary information about qualifying children if applicable [13][14] - The IRS cannot issue EITC refunds until mid-February, which may delay the refund process for those who claim the credit [6] Group 4: Additional Information - Investment income exceeding $11,950 disqualifies taxpayers from claiming the EITC [12][16] - Taxpayers can amend their tax returns to claim unclaimed EITC credits for up to three previous tax years [18]