With the 2025 tax season approaching fast, the taxpayers who qualify for the EITC/ ACTC or other credits must prepare for their tax returns to get more refunds and reduce their tax bills. Credits like EITC/ ACTC allow taxpayers to get the tax breaks they need and reduce their financial burden.
Taxpayers who are planning to claim the EITC/ACTC credits with their tax return for the 2024 tax year must be wondering about the credit amount and payment dates. The IRS has already declared the refund amount for these credits and advised the taxpayers to prepare well for filing the tax returns.
IRS EITC/ACTC Refund for 2025
The IRS offers EITC or Child tax credit/ ACTC (Additional Child tax credit) to US citizens to offer them a tax break and reduce their tax bills. The credits increase their refund as it comes with an IRS tax refund.
The Earned Income tax Credits are offered to low-to-moderate-income earners to support them and reduce their financial pressure. Taxpayers who qualify for these credits receive the refund based on their family size, family income, and other factors.
According to the inflation adjustment for tax year 2024, taxpayers looking to find the refund amount of these credits can check the following payout amount:
- EITC: Taxpayers can receive the following maximum credit based on the number of qualifying children:
| No. of Qualifying children | EITC amount for the 2024 tax year |
| No child | $632 |
| One | $4,213 |
| Two | $6,960 |
| Three or more | $7830 |
- ACTC: Taxpayers who qualify for the Additional child credit would receive a fixed amount of $1700 for each child who meets the eligibility conditions of the credit.
IRS EITC/ACTC Refund Date for 2025
Taxpayers who are wondering about the EITC/ACTC refund dates should know that the IRS usually pays the tax refund within 21 days of filing the return when it was e-filed. However, the refund payment date may vary depending on the time you have filed the tax return or the payment method you have chosen to receive the refund.
However, there is a slight change in the payment date if you have claimed the EITC/ACTC with your tax return. The tax refund with EITC/ACTC is processed with some delay because of the PATH Act restriction that was enacted to stop fraudulent activities.
According to the PATH Act, the IRS cannot process the EITC/ ACTC refunds till 15 Feb of the tax season, so the agency has enough time to review the credit claims, hence, the early filers can expect the refund by the end of February around 27 Feb 2025 (direct deposit) and by the end of March 2025 (paper check).
Afterward, the taxpayers can expect the EITC/ACTC refund based on the regular tax refund dates. Taxpayers can check the full schedule EITC/ ACTC refund for 2025 below:
| IRS Tax return Accepted | Direct Deposit Payment Date | Paper Check Payment Date |
| Jan 2025 to 16 Feb 2025 | 27 Feb 2025 | 06 March 2025 |
| 16 Feb – 28 Feb 2025 | 03 Mar2025 | 13 Mar 2025 |
| 01 Mar – 10 Mar 2025 | 14 Mar 2025 | 31 Ma 2025 |
| 11 Mar – 20 Mar 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 07 Apr 2025 |
| 21 Mar – 30 Mar 2025 | 07 Apr 2025 | 15 Apr 2025 |
| 31 Mar – 08 Apr 2025 | 15 Apr 2025 | 22 Apr 2025 |
| 08 Apr – 15 Apr 2025 | 22 Apr 2025 | 02 May 2025 |
What can you do if you do not receive the EITC/ ACTC Refund on time?
Taxpayers who have applied for the EITC/ACTC with their tax returns can expect a refund on the scheduled date based on the way they have filed and the payment method they have selected, however, if by any chance you do not receive the refund on the scheduled date, you first need to follow the below instructions:
- You must check your bank account to see if the return form is active and valid.
- You should check the mailing address you have filed in the tax firm is correct, or if you have changed the address, you must inform the authority;
- You should check the IRS tax refund status to see if your tax refund is approved, so you can expect the refund later.
If you find out that everything is fine, you should contact the IRS to inquire about your delayed refund at toll-free number 800 829 1954 or you can visit the nearest regional IRS office.
How can you track your EITC/ACTC Refund status?
Taxpayers the best way to track your tax refund or EITC/ACTC refund is the IRS Where’s My Refund tool as it tells you the exact status of the refund that is recorded in the IRS system. The tools are easy to use as it is easily accessible online from the official website of the IRS and the mobile application.
The Where’s My Refund tool tells you the refund status with just your Social Security Number, tax year, refund amount, and filing status. However, taxpayers can check the status quickly in 24 or 48 hrs when they file the return electronically. Hence, the agency advised the taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically.
How can you claim the 2025 EITC/ACTC refund?
Taxpayers who will be first time claiming the EITC/ ACTC refund should know that they will need to claim the credits in their tax return for the 2024 tax year to receive the refund in 2025. You can follow the below instructions to claim the EITC/ACTC claims:
- First, you need to be sure of your eligibility for EITC or ACTC;
- Prepare the documents you will need to claim the credits, such as Social Security documents, children’s birth dates, income records Forms W-2 and 1099, expense records, and other relevant documents.
- Next, you need to file your return, best will be an electronic method to file the tax return.
Taxpayers should know that if you have a qualifying child, you must submit the Schedule EIC with your tax returns and EITC claims. Taxpayers claiming the ACTC should include the Schedule 8812 with your tax form 1040.
The 2025 tax season is just a few weeks away, taxpayers should check every credit, deduction, or tax provision that can help them complete their tax responsibilities and even favor them.