How Do I Know if I Received Earned Income Credit?
Learn how to check if you received the Earned Income Credit by reviewing tax documents, using IRS tools, and understanding refund statements.
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a tax benefit designed to assist low-to-moderate income workers by reducing their tax burden or increasing their refund. Determining whether you received the credit can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with how it appears on tax documents or refunds.
Checking Tax Documents
To confirm if you received the Earned Income Credit, review your tax return. On Form 1040, the credit appears on line 27. If you claimed the credit with qualifying children, Schedule EIC will detail how it was calculated based on your income and dependents.
If you used tax software, check your account for a copy of your return. If you filed through a tax professional, request a copy from them. The IRS may adjust or deny the credit due to income reporting errors or dependent eligibility issues. If this happens, you will receive a notice explaining the adjustment. Notice CP27 informs taxpayers they may be eligible but did not claim the credit, while Notice CP74 confirms eligibility for future years.
Verifying with IRS Account Tools
You can check your IRS online account at [IRS.gov](https://www.irs.gov/) to confirm whether the Earned Income Credit was applied. Your tax transcript provides a breakdown of your return, including any credits claimed. The Account Transcript lists tax return adjustments, including the EIC, under “Adjustments to Income.” If the credit was issued, it will be recorded along with the amount received.
Your transcript also includes cycle codes and processing dates, showing when the IRS reviewed and processed your return. If the EIC was adjusted due to income verification or dependent eligibility, these changes will be noted. The Record of Account Transcript combines details from both the return and account transcripts for a full view of any IRS modifications.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, though this takes several weeks. Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 allows you to speak with a representative who can confirm whether the credit was applied and address any discrepancies.
Refund Statements and EIC Indicators
Your refund statement can indicate whether the Earned Income Credit was applied. If you received a direct deposit, check your bank statement for a deposit from the U.S. Treasury or IRS, often labeled “TAX REF” or “IRS TREAS.” While the total refund amount won’t explicitly list the EIC, comparing it to your tax return can help confirm whether the credit was included. If you received a paper check, the refund amount should match what was calculated on your return unless adjustments were made.
The IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool tracks refund processing. If you claimed the EIC, your refund may have been delayed due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which prevents refunds containing the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit from being issued before mid-February. If your refund was delayed for this reason, it likely included the EIC.
IRS transaction codes on your tax transcript can also confirm whether the credit was applied.
– TC 150: Return was processed.
– TC 766: A credit was applied to your account.
– TC 768: Confirms the Earned Income Credit was credited to your return.
– TC 570: Indicates a hold was placed on your refund, often due to income or dependent verification.
Options if EIC Was Excluded
If the Earned Income Credit was not included in your return, first confirm whether you met the eligibility criteria outlined in the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS determines eligibility based on earned income thresholds, filing status, and qualifying dependents. If you believe you qualified but the credit was omitted, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X to claim it, as long as the amendment is made within three years of the original filing deadline.
Errors in tax preparation can sometimes result in a missed EIC claim. Earned income includes wages, salaries, and self-employment income but excludes passive income like dividends or rental profits. If self-employment income was underreported or expenses were misclassified, the IRS may have disallowed the credit. Reviewing Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) and Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax) can help confirm whether income was reported correctly.
If the IRS denied the credit due to prior disqualifications, a ban may apply. A two-year ban is imposed for reckless claims, while a ten-year ban applies if fraudulent intent was determined. If you were banned in error, filing Form 8862 (Information to Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance) may reinstate eligibility.