Use your refund to catch up, plan, and get ahead
You’ve worked hard for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and you deserve every dollar that the government owes you. However, if you don’t file your taxes by April 15, you can miss out on your chance to claim it.
A person with three or more dependents could receive about $8,000 this year from the federal and state EITC. A single person with no dependents could receive about $649, according to the IRS. According to the IRS, the average Connecticut EITC filer got back $2,482 in the 2024 tax season.
If you want to apply online, we’ve partnered with FreeTaxUSA, an IRS-approved service, so you can file for free online and claim what you’re owed. If you are looking to apply in person, you can look up your local VITA site, to find free, non-profit, IRS-approved help.
“The EITC made a meaningful difference for me and my family,” J., a mom in Stratford, told us. “It helped relieve financial stress and allowed me to handle essential expenses and plan a little more securely. I intend to use the funds for household bills, my children’s needs, and savings. Claiming it on my tax return was definitely worth it.”
We’ve spoken to people across the state to hear what they’ve done, or what they plan to do, with their EITC. We’ve heard people plan to spend it on:
“I am so thankful for the Earned Income Tax Credit, because it gave me the ability to catch up on some bills that were behind,” LaSonya, a mom in Waterbury, told us. “It also allowed me to put some money into savings so that I could finally have an emergency fund.”
Marisa, in New Britain, said it will help her stock up on the essentials so she can get ahead.
“It can and will make a difference for you to either catch up on bills or lighten the weight each month, knowing you have a credit on your accounts because you invested in your family,” she said.
Don’t leave money you’ve earned on the table. Apply for free online today to claim what you’re owed.