The biggest refund comes from claiming every deduction and credit you actually may have access to for, not from tricks or shortcuts

A larger tax refund is not about gaming the system — it is about making sure you claim everything the tax code allows. The IRS does not hide money from you. If you are owed a credit or deduction, you have to claim it on your return. Most people leave money on the table because they do not know what exists, not because they are ineligible.

Your refund size depends on two things: how much tax you paid during the year (through withholding or estimated payments) and how much tax you actually owe after deductions and credits. The gap between those two numbers is your refund. To increase it, you either reduce what you owe or increase what you paid — or both.

Key Takeaways

  • Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and education credits are the largest refunds most people miss, and they require you to claim them on your return.
  • Deductions lower your taxable income, but only if your total deductions exceed the standard deduction — otherwise the standard deduction is already your best option.
  • Adjusting your W-4 form at work can increase your paycheck throughout the year instead of waiting for a large refund in spring.
  • Self-employed people and gig workers often owe more tax than they realize because they do not set aside money, so increasing estimated tax payments prevents a smaller refund later.
  • The IRS does not contact you about unclaimed credits — you have to find them yourself or work with a tax preparer who knows to look.

Claim every tax credit you are may have access to to

Tax credits are the fastest way to increase your refund because they reduce your tax dollar-for-dollar, unlike deductions which only reduce your taxable income. The largest credits go unclaimed because people do not know they exist or think they do not may have access to.

The Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per child under 17 (the amount varies by year, so check the current year's limit). You must claim it on your return — the IRS will not tell you that you have a child. The credit phases out at higher incomes, but most working families may have access to. You need the child's Social Security number and proof of relationship (birth certificate, adoption papers, or guardianship order).

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit, meaning you can get money back even if you owe no tax. It is designed for people with low to moderate income and depends on how much you earned, your filing status, and whether you have children. The maximum credit ranges from a few hundred dollars (no children) to over $3,000 (three or more children), but the exact amount varies by year and income. You must claim it on your return.

Education credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500 per student per year) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000 per return) explore if you or a dependent paid for college tuition, fees, or books. You need the school's name, address, and the amount paid. These credits have income limits and cannot be claimed for the same student in the same year as certain other education benefits.

Maximize deductions if they exceed your standard deduction

A deduction reduces your taxable income, which lowers your tax bill. The standard deduction is a flat amount the IRS lets everyone take without itemizing — for 2024, it is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married filing jointly (these amounts change yearly). Most people use the standard deduction because it is simpler and larger than their actual deductions.

Itemized deductions only make sense if they add up to more than the standard deduction. Common itemized deductions include mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations, and medical expenses above a certain threshold. If you own a home with a mortgage, you might itemize. If you rent or have a small mortgage, the standard deduction is almost certainly better.

Self-employed people and business owners have access to deductions employees do not: home office deduction, vehicle mileage, supplies, equipment, and a portion of health insurance premiums. These deductions can significantly lower your taxable income. Keep receipts and mileage logs throughout the year — do not try to reconstruct them in April.

Adjust your withholding to avoid overpaying during the year

A large refund feels good, but it means you lent the government your money interest-free all year. If you want a bigger refund, you could reduce your withholding — but that is backwards. The real goal is to break even or owe a small amount, then use the money you would have overpaid to build savings or pay down debt.

If you consistently get large refunds, fill out a new W-4 form at work. This form tells your employer how much tax to withhold from each paycheck. The IRS website has a withholding calculator that walks you through it. Adjusting your W-4 puts more money in your paycheck throughout the year instead of waiting for April.

If you are married and both spouses work, or if you have multiple jobs, withholding gets complicated — you may need to claim fewer allowances or have extra tax withheld to avoid owing at tax time. The W-4 form has a section for this.

Set aside money for self-employment and estimated taxes

If you are self-employed, a contractor, or earn significant income outside a W-2 job, you do not have an employer withholding tax. You are responsible for paying estimated taxes four times a year. Most self-employed people do not set aside enough, then owe a large bill in April instead of getting a refund.

To avoid this, calculate your expected profit for the year, multiply it by your tax rate (roughly 15% for self-employment tax plus your income tax bracket), and divide by four. Pay that amount to the IRS on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. You can pay online at IRS.gov using the Direct Pay system or through a tax professional.

If you underpay estimated taxes, you may owe a penalty even if you eventually pay all the tax you owe. Setting aside money as you earn it prevents this and prevents the shock of a large bill.

Work with a tax preparer who knows to look for credits

Many people prepare their own taxes using software or a basic preparer, and they miss credits because they do not know to look. A tax preparer who specializes in your situation — parent, student, self-employed, or low-income — will ask the right questions and find credits you would miss.

If you earned less than a certain amount (the limit varies by year), you may may have access to for free tax preparation through the IRS Free File program or a nonprofit tax clinic. Search "free tax help near me" or visit IRS.gov/freefile. These services often catch credits that paid preparers would find too.

If you use a paid preparer, ask them directly: "What credits am I may have access to to?" and "Are there deductions I am not claiming?" A good preparer will have a checklist and will not move forward until they have asked about children, education, childcare, medical expenses, and charitable giving.

Understand what increases a refund and what does not

Some things people think increase refunds actually do not. Donating to charity only helps if you itemize deductions, and most people do not itemize. Having a child increases your refund only if you claim the Child Tax Credit, which requires you to list them on your return. Paying student loan interest reduces your taxable income by up to $2,500, but that is a deduction, not a credit, so it only helps if you itemize.

Other things genuinely do increase refunds: claiming a dependent you support, claiming education credits if you paid tuition, claiming the EITC if you earned less than the income limit, and claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you paid for childcare so you could work.

The IRS publishes a list of all credits and deductions on IRS.gov. If you are unsure whether something applies to you, search the IRS website or ask a tax preparer — do not guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a credit or deduction if I am not sure I may have access to?

No — claiming something you do not may have access to for is tax fraud, even if you are unsure. If you are on the edge of an income limit or unsure whether an expense counts, ask a tax preparer or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. It is free to ask.

Does getting married or divorced change my refund?

Yes. Your filing status on December 31 determines your filing status for the whole year. Married couples filing jointly often get larger credits and deductions than single filers. If you married or divorced during the year, you may also have new dependents or lose them, which changes your refund.

What if I made a mistake and claimed something I should not have?

File an amended return using Form 1040-X within three years of the original return date. The IRS will recalculate your refund or bill you for what you owe. It is better to amend than to ignore it — the IRS will find the error eventually and charge interest and penalties.

Is there a limit to how much I can refund?

No, but your refund cannot exceed the total tax you paid during the year. If you paid $5,000 in tax and your credits total $8,000, your refund is $5,000 and the extra $3,000 carries forward to next year (for some credits) or is lost (for others). A tax preparer can explain which credits carry over.

Should I aim for a big refund or break even?

Breaking even or owing a small amount is usually better because you keep your money throughout the year instead of lending it to the government. However, if you struggle to save or budget, a larger refund can be a forced savings tool. The choice depends on your situation.