How do I know if I was "disallowed" from claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit in a previous year?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can help lower your tax bill or increase your refund amount. This credit primarily helps lower-income tax filers reduce their tax burden. If you were disallowed from claiming the EITC, that means you are not able to reclaim the credit for two to 10 years, depending on the IRS reason. To find out if you were disallowed from claiming this credit, you must contact the IRS.

The IRS will disallow you from claiming certain credits if you provided incorrect information in order to receive them, whether accidentally or knowingly. If this happens, the IRS will contact you via mail notifying you that you are disallowed from claiming specific credits. 

But, if you did not receive a notice in the mail or can’t remember if you’re disallowed from claiming the EITC, you can find out by reaching out to the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS can let you know if you’re prevented from claiming certain credits, which credits they are, and when you’re eligible to reclaim them.

If the IRS deemed you were disallowed due to a filing mistake, you will be banned from claiming the credit for two years. If the IRS deemed your filing error is considered fraud, however, you will be banned from claiming the credit for ten years.

When you are able to claim the credit again, you must file tax form 8862 to recertify with the IRS that you are approved to receive the credit. If you do not file this form, you will not be able to claim the credit.