Tax Tip 2026-28: Don’t leave a potential refund on the table

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2026-28

Don’t leave a potential refund on the table

Not everyone is legally required to file a federal tax return. However, not doing it could be leaving money on the table. People could be missing out on refundable tax credits or an income tax refund. This could apply to someone if they:

• Have had federal income tax withheld from their pay
• Made estimated tax payments
• Qualify to claim refundable tax credits

Don’t miss out on valuable tax credits
A few tax credits people can claim on a federal tax return if they’re eligible include:

• Earned Income Tax Credit – The EITC helps low to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. The amount of the credit may vary based on income, family size and filing. Taxpayers can use the EITC Assistant to check their eligibility.
• Child Tax Credit – Taxpayers with a qualifying child may be eligible to claim up to $2,200 per qualifying child with the CTC. The Additional Child Tax Credit is a refundable portion of the CTC. For 2025, up to $1,700 per qualifying child may be refundable.
• Credit for Other Dependents – Taxpayers who don’t qualify for the Child Tax Credit may qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents. This includes people who have:
  • Dependent children who are age 18 or older at the end of 2025
  • Parents or other qualifying individuals they support
• Adoption Tax Credit – This credit now partially refundable and is available to taxpayers who finalized an adoption in 2025 or started the adoption process before 2025. The maximum amount, for 2025, is $17,280 per eligible child. The refundable amount is up to $5,000 per qualifying child. However, any nonrefundable amount carried forward can’t be used to calculate a refundable portion for future tax years.
• Education credits – The American Opportunity Tax Credit is for qualified education expenses for the first four years of higher education. The Lifetime Learning Credit is for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for eligible students enrolled in an eligible educational institution.

Get help deciding whether to file
The Interactive Tax Assistant provides answers to many common tax law questions based on an individual’s specific circumstances. It can help someone decide whether they should file a tax return and if they’re eligible for many common tax credits.

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