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March 7, 2022
Question

How do I use my earned Income from 2019 Return for my 2021 return? I'm trying to amend my return.

  • March 7, 2022
  • 1 reply
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I made more money in 2019 than 2021. I heard we can use the information from my 2019 return for a larger refund. I have no idea how to do this or where to enter what information. Thanks for any help!

1 reply

March 7, 2022

The lookback rule is part of the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

 

The special lookback rule will allow lower income individuals to use their earned income from 2019 to determine their Earned Income Tax Credit and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit in 2021, since their lower 2021 income could reduce the amount they are eligible for.

 

Please read this TurboTax Help topic for more information.

 

To use the lookback feature for the Earned Income Tax credit in TurboTax Online, go to the Earned Income tax credit section.

 

  1. In the Search box on the top right of your screen, enter earned income tax credit and click on the magnifying glass icon
  2. In the search result box, click on Jump to earned income tax credit
  3. In this section, follow the interview until you arrive at the question Do you want to check if your 2019 income will increase your EITC? Note down your Earned Income tax credit using your 2021 earned income.
  4. Click on the radio button Yes and enter your 2019 earned income and click Continue
  5. TurboTax will give you your new Earned Income tax credit using your 2019 earned income
  6. If the new credit is higher, click Continue to accept it
  7. If the new credit is lower, click Back to go back to the previous screen and click the radio button No then click Continue.
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