How do I know if I’m eligible for the unemployment tax refund? If I used the look back option on my 2020 tax return , am I still Eligible?

[Critter-3]

The LOOK BACK option and having unemployment on your return are 2 totally separate items  but when you reduce the unemployment on the return it may not make a difference to the bottom line.   

If you promise to save a PDF of the original return before you start  you can use the AMENDMENT tool to recalculated the return to see if this change  will make a difference.

[VolvoGirl]

The lookback option is for the EIC not Unemployment.

Did you file yet?  When?

If you have filed early before the exclusion, the IRS will recalculate your return for the new 10,200 unemployment exemption for you. There is no need for taxpayers to file an amended return unless the calculations make the taxpayer newly eligible for additional federal credits and deductions not already included on the original tax return.

Just keep waiting.  The IRS is sending them out in batches over the summer.

See IRS article May 14, 2021

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-correcting-tax-returns-for-unemployment-compensation-income-...

And see,

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-sending-more-than-2-point-8-million-refunds-to-those-who-already-pa...

Do you need to amend your state return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/do-i-need-to-amend-my-state-return/00/2134732

If you didn't file early or Turbo Tax updated your return,  your unemployment compensation will be on Schedule 1 line 7.  The exclusion will be on Schedule 1 Line 8 as a negative number. The result flows to Form 1040 Line 8.

[rjs]

You are eligible for the unemployment exclusion if all of the following are true.

• You reported unemployment benefits as income on your 2020 tax return.
• You did not get the unemployment exclusion on the 2020 tax return that you filed. The unemployment exclusion would appear as a negative amount on Schedule 1 line 8, with the abbreviation UCE on the dotted line to the left of the amount.
• Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), not including unemployment, is less than $150,000.

If all three of those conditions are true, The IRS will recalculate your tax return and send you the additional refund. Using the lookback option does not affect your eligibility for the unemployment exclusion. It might take several months to get the refund. For details see the following IRS announcements and FAQ.

IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May

IRS begins correcting tax returns for unemployment compensation income exclusion

IRS sending more than 2.8 million refunds to those who already paid taxes on 2020 unemployment compe...

2020 Unemployment Compensation Exclusion FAQs