Earned income tax return

[synishajones]

Why do tax payers have to wait just because we filed child credit and Earned income?  We want our money just like the next person. I just don't think it's fair.  The people with the Earned income need their money before the other tax payers...hence "Earned Income".  This law definitely need to change ASAP.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

See the PATH Act passed by Congress in 2015 - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/path-act-tax-related-provisions

[MichelleT]

Earned Income/Child tax credit delay

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. While the IRS will process those returns when received, it cannot issue related refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting on Feb. 27, 2018, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

From <https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4160358-how-soon-after-my-federal-taxes-are-accepted-can-i-expect-...> 

[maglib]

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

Why is my refund being held?

If you claim the EITC or ACTC on your tax return, the IRS must hold your refund until mid-February. The law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with the EITC or ACTC. Like previous years, some tax refunds may be held if there are questions about the tax return or the IRS needs more information.

We don't make the rules.... the IRS does.