Maximize your refund by amending your returns
April 15 is the deadline to file taxes. One way to get the most out of your taxes is to put money back into your pocket by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), if you’re eligible.
We’ve been talking to people across Connecticut about the credit. A common question we’ve heard is: can I still claim my money if I’ve already filed my taxes?
In most cases, you can! And it’s not just this year – through backfiling your taxes or amending your past tax returns, you can claim refunds for past years. In 2025, those refunds can go as far back as 2021. That’s money you can use on groceries, rent, utilities, and your future.
There are a few ways you can amend or backfile your tax returns. One of the simplest is to work with a free, government-certified service to get help. In 2025, they can backfile or amend your taxes through 2021. It’s important to know that the deadline to claim 2021’s money is April 15, 2025, so don’t wait to get started.
You can amend your 2024 tax return even after the April 15 deadline. The IRS does take a little longer to process amended tax returns, so any refunds you get might show up later than normal.
About 20% of people who qualify for the EITC each year don’t claim it. You could be one of them. The average EITC return in Connecticut was $2,482 last year. You could be owed far more than that.
The “income” part of the EITC means you have to earn at least $1 doing work for a business, running your own company, earning tips, doing freelance projects, or doing gig work. You don’t need children to qualify, although your return will likely be higher if you have them.
Get what you’re owed. Take the quiz to see if you qualify for the EITC and get started now.
