If the IRS previously disallowed your Earned Income Credit (EIC), they typically would have notified you by mail. In many cases, you would have received a notice explaining that your EIC claim was reduced or denied.
Another clue is your refund amount. If the refund you received was lower than the amount shown on the tax return you filed, the IRS may have adjusted your return and disallowed the credit.
How to Check If You Were Previously Disallowed
You may have been disallowed if:
- You received an IRS notice stating that your EIC claim was denied or reduced.
- Your refund was less than expected because the IRS adjusted your return.
- The IRS required you to complete additional forms before claiming the EIC again.
If you're unsure whether you were previously disallowed from claiming the EIC, contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. An IRS representative can review your account and let you know whether any restrictions apply to claiming the credit.
Why This Matters
If the IRS disallowed your EIC for reasons other than a math or clerical error, you may need to file Form 8862, Information to Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance, before you can claim the credit again.