Due to federal funding cuts, Direct File ended on October 15th. Find other free options on our Tax Filing Help page, including options for filing past year’s taxes.
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Get help getting your refund
You could receive thousands of dollars back in tax credits, even if you don’t file taxes every year.
Many low-income individuals and families are eligible for federal and state tax credits they may not even know about.
Even if you earn too little to be required to file taxes, you may be eligible for a tax refund. You can file taxes to get money back from the government. Learn if you could be eligible below.
There are a number of free resources to help hard working, low-income people file their taxes. Some will guide you step-by-step through the filing process.
You can also file your state taxes for free online and claim the updated Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and new Child Tax Credit.
Did you or your family members receive your 2021 stimulus check?
Qualified people can claim tax credits for up to three years, so you can still claim your 2021 stimulus check (Economic Impact Payment) until April 15, 2025. To claim your stimulus check, file your 2021 taxes using one of the free options on our Tax Filing Help page and claim your Recovery Rebate Credit. If you already filed your 2021 taxes, you can file an amended return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Direct File is only available for 2024 taxes currently.
To be eligible, you must have had a valid Social Security Number and not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s 2021 taxes. People who did not work or received Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), survivors benefits, veterans benefits, or railroad retirement were also eligible. Individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income over $75,000, heads of household with an AGI over $112,500, or married couples with and AGI over $150,000 in 2021 were eligible for a reduced amount.
Am I eligible for a
tax refund?
Hundreds or even thousands of dollars are available in tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), especially for low-income individuals and families. Even if you are not required to file a tax return, you could receive a tax refund if you do file. For example, you may get money back by filing if you:
- Had income tax withheld from your pay, pension, social security or other income
- Care for your dependent children – you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit
- Work but earn less than $67,000 – you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit – even if you don’t have children
- Paid for daycare for your dependent child or children – you may be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Had a side job, part-time, seasonal work, or sold goods online
More people are now eligible for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) who are not eligible for the federal EITC. If you are aged 18-25, over 65, or if you file with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN you are now eligible for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC).
Parents with dependent children under the age of 12 may also be eligible for the new Illinois Child Tax Credit (CTC). You can claim both by filing your state taxes through Direct File or another filing method.
Family members or foster parents who have custody may be eligible for the federal or state EITC or CTC for children who live with them most of the year. However, pay attention to IRS rules and be careful not to claim children who are claimed by other family members already.
See if you are eligible for the EITC with this simple calculator.
Could I end up owing money?
You may owe money if you did work on the side but didn’t pay taxes, owe child support, work in a different state, or have parking or other tickets. However, some tax credits are substantial and you could still end up with a refund.
If you earn less than the filing threshold you can decide whether or not you want to file taxes. However, people with over $400 net earnings in gig, contract, or consulting work are required to file.
Who’s eligible to use
Direct File?
Direct File will be discontinued on October 15th due to federal funding cuts.
Until then, it is still available to millions of people who:
- Have W-2 wage income
- Have SSA-1099 Social Security income
- Have 1099-G unemployment compensation
- Have 1099-INT Income
- Have standard deductions
- Live in participating states including Illinois
Direct File is not available if you have:
- Income from multiple states
- Gig income
- Rental or business income
- Itemized deductions.
You can make the following deductions using Direct File: a standard deduction, student loan interest, educator expenses or Health Savings Account contributions.
If you earn less than the filing threshold you can decide whether or not you want to file taxes. However, people with over $400 net earnings in gig, contract, or consulting work are required to file.
Use this eligibility checker if you aren’t sure if you qualify for Direct File. If you aren’t eligible to use Direct File, you can find other free resources for filing taxes on our Tax Filing Help page.
Can I claim a tax refund after the April 15th deadline?
If you owe taxes, the deadline to pay and file was April 15th, but you can still file after that deadline. Typically, you have until October 15th to file without penalties if you don’t owe taxes. You have up to three years to file to claim a refund.
If you missed the April 15th deadline, you can still file taxes to make sure you don’t owe any taxes or aren’t missing a tax refund. For many people with W-2 income, they have likely already paid their taxes. So you may still be eligible for a tax refund by claiming your tax credits.
To receive your past years’ refunds, you must file using the classic IRS filing options or one of the other methods on our Tax Filing Help page.
Not sure what your options are or confused about whether you should file?
Get answers to your questions and information about free services on our Tax Filing Help page.