How To Get the Maximum Tax Refund

The fastest way to get the maximum tax refund is to claim every tax credit and deduction you qualify for and file an accurate return.

Many people leave money behind by overlooking credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit — worth up to $8,046 for 2025 — or by picking the wrong filing status.

Key Takeaways

• Credits beat deductions. A tax credit cuts your tax bill dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only lowers your taxable income.

• The EITC is the big one. For tax year 2025 it's worth up to $8,046 with three or more qualifying children, yet about 1 in 5 eligible filers don't claim it.

• Child Tax Credit rose to $2,200. You may claim up to $2,200 per qualifying child, with up to $1,700 refundable.

• Education credits add up. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is worth up to $2,500 per student and the Lifetime Learning Credit up to $2,000 per return.

• Compare your deduction options. The 2025 standard deduction is $15,750 (single), $31,500 (married filing jointly) and $23,625 (head of household) — itemize only if your deductions beat those.

• A smaller refund can be smarter. A large refund means you lent the government money interest-free, so adjusting your Form W-4 may put more in each paycheck.

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What Is a Tax Refund and How Does It Work?

A tax refund is money the IRS returns to you when you've paid more tax during the year than you actually owe. When you file, the IRS compares your total payments with your final tax bill and any overpayment comes back to you.

This usually happens when:

• Too much was withheld. Your employer held more from your paychecks than your final bill required.

• You qualified for credits or deductions. These lowered your tax bill below what you already paid.

• You prepaid too much.Your estimated tax payments came in higher than your actual liability.

The IRS expects about 164 million individual returns this filing season, and most filers receive a refund. For the full 2025 filing season, the average refund was about $3,170.

Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions: What's the Difference?

Knowing how each one works is the key to a bigger refund. A deduction lowers the income you're taxed on. A credit lowers the tax itself, which is why credits usually give you the bigger payoff.

Refundable credits like the EITC can pay out even if they drop your tax bill below zero.

Which Tax Credits Can Boost Your Refund the Most?

Some of the largest refunds come straight from these credits.

For tax year 2024 returns, about 23.5 million filers received roughly $68.5 billion through the EITC.

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Can You Get a $10,000 Tax Refund?

A five-figure refund is possible, though it isn't typical. It usually happens when you significantly overpaid during the year or stacked several substantial credits, such as the EITC plus the Child Tax Credit and an education credit. The size of your refund depends on your income, withholding and which credits and deductions you qualify for — it isn't guaranteed.

If you itemize, keep the state and local tax (SALT) deduction in mind. For 2025 it's capped at a combined $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately), subject to an income-based limit that can phase it down but not below $10,000.

SALT covers your property taxes plus either your state income tax or sales tax — whichever is higher.

How To Get a Bigger Tax Refund: Step-by-Step Strategies

Work through these steps before you file to help lower your tax bill and claim more of what you're owed.

Claim Every Eligible Tax Credit

Credits give your refund the biggest lift. Check whether you qualify for the:

• Earned Income Tax Credit. A refundable credit for low- to moderate-income workers.

• Child Tax Credit. Up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17.

• Education credits. The American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits.

• Saver's Credit. A credit for eligible retirement contributions.

About 1 in 5 workers eligible for the EITC don't claim it, so it's worth confirming your eligibility.

Maximize Your Tax Deductions

Deductions lower your taxable income. Common ones include:

• Student loan interest. Deductible even if you don't itemize.

• Mortgage interest. Often a major itemized deduction for homeowners.

• State and local taxes. Capped at $40,000 for 2025.

• Medical expenses. Deductible above a set share of your income.

• Charitable contributions. Gifts to qualified organizations.

Then compare the total against the standard deduction and take whichever is larger.

Compare the Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing

For tax year 2025, the standard deduction is:

Itemize only if your deductible expenses add up to more than your standard deduction.

Contribute to Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Certain contributions can reduce your taxable income while building savings, including:

• Traditional IRA contributions

• Health savings account (HSA) contributions

• Self-employed retirement plans, like a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k)

Choose the Right Filing Status

Your filing status affects your tax bracket, standard deduction and credit eligibility. The options are single, married filing jointly, married filing separately and head of household. Picking the correct one can open up credits you'd otherwise miss — for example, married filing separately filers can't claim the EITC.

Report All Eligible Dependents

Dependents can unlock valuable benefits. Parents and caregivers may qualify for the Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit and the EITC, and dependents who don't meet the Child Tax Credit rules may still qualify for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents.

Use Tax Software or a Professional

Tax software and professional preparers can help surface credits and deductions you might miss and reduce filing errors. During fiscal year 2024, more than half of individual taxpayers used a paid preparer, according to IRS data.

Professional help can be especially useful if you own a business, have investment income, changed jobs or bought or sold property.

Refund Strategy Checklist

Run through this list before you file:

• Review major credits. Confirm eligibility for the EITC, Child Tax Credit and education credits.

• Compare deductions. Weigh the standard deduction against itemizing.

• Confirm dependents. Make sure everyone you can claim is included.

• Report contributions. Add eligible retirement and HSA contributions.

• Verify your forms. Check all income and withholding documents (W-2s and 1099s).

• Consider professional help. Get support if your return is complex.

When a Smaller Refund May Be the Better Move

A big refund feels great, but it often means you overpaid the IRS all year and gave up the use of that money. You can adjust your Form W-4 withholding to keep more in each paycheck instead. Many people still prefer a refund as a forced-savings lump sum — there's no single right answer, so choose what fits your budget.

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Bottom Line

Getting the maximum tax refund comes down to claiming the credits and deductions you qualify for, choosing the right filing status and filing an accurate return. Review the major credits, confirm your dependents and compare itemizing against the standard deduction before you file. If your situation is complex, tax software or a professional preparer can help you avoid leaving money behind.

Key Terms

• Tax credit: A dollar-for-dollar reduction of the tax you owe; some, like the EITC, are refundable.

• Tax deduction: An amount that lowers the income you're taxed on, like student loan interest or mortgage interest.

• Refundable credit: A credit that can pay out even if it reduces your tax bill below zero.

• Standard deduction: A flat amount you can subtract from income instead of itemizing — $15,750 to $31,500 for 2025 depending on filing status.

• Itemized deductions: Specific expenses, like SALT and charitable gifts, claimed on Schedule A in place of the standard deduction.

• SALT deduction: The state and local tax deduction, capped at $40,000 for 2025.

• Filing status: Your tax category (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately or head of household) that affects brackets and credits.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Sources

• Internal Revenue Service. Filing season statistics by year

• Internal Revenue Service. Earned income and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) tables

• Internal Revenue Service. Child Tax Credit

• Internal Revenue Service. Education credits: AOTC and LLC

• Internal Revenue Service. Topic no. 503, Deductible taxes

• U.S. Government Accountability Office. Paid Tax Return Preparers (GAO-26-108723)

FAQ

Here are quick answers to common questions about getting the maximum tax refund.

How can I get the maximum tax refund?

Claim every tax credit and deduction you qualify for, report all your dependents, choose the right filing status and contribute to tax-advantaged accounts like a traditional IRA or HSA when you can. Filing an accurate return and comparing the standard deduction with itemizing also helps.

Which tax credits increase refunds the most?

The Earned Income Tax Credit is often the largest, worth up to $8,046 for 2025 with three or more qualifying children. The Child Tax Credit (up to $2,200 per child) and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500 per student) can also add meaningfully to a refund.

Why did my tax refund go down this year?

A smaller refund usually means your income rose, your withholding changed or you no longer qualify for a credit or deduction you claimed before. Aging out of the Child Tax Credit or a change in filing status can also reduce it.

Is a larger tax refund always better?

Not necessarily. A large refund often means too much was withheld during the year, so you gave the government an interest-free loan. Some people adjust their Form W-4 to keep more in each paycheck, while others prefer the lump sum as forced savings.

Can tax software help increase my refund?

Yes. Tax software walks you through credits and deductions you may qualify for and flags common errors before you file. For more complex returns, a professional preparer may catch additional breaks.