CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) are urging eligible Illinois residents to take full advantage of available tax credits when filing their 2024 income tax returns this year. These credits can provide significant savings, potentially reducing the amount of taxes owed or increasing refunds.

Among the key tax credits available are:

1. Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A benefit for working individuals with low to moderate incomes. To qualify, taxpayers must file an Illinois income tax return, even if they owe no tax, and meet the following criteria:
   • Earn income under $66,819 (depending on filing status and number of qualifying children),
   • Have investment income under $11,600,
   • Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN),
   • Be at least 18 years old by the end of 2024, or be 65 or older without a qualifying child,
   • Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

   Taxpayers who qualify for the federal EITC automatically qualify for the Illinois EITC, yet in 2022, over $4 million in Illinois EITC went unclaimed by about 8,274 taxpayers who claimed the federal credit but not the state one.

2. Illinois Child Tax Credit (CTC): For taxpayers who qualify for the Illinois EITC and have at least one child under the age of 12. The credit is 20% of the Illinois EITC for tax year 2024. In 2025, this will increase to 40% of the Illinois EITC.
3. Volunteer Emergency Worker Credit (VEW): Available to volunteer fire service emergency workers who applied and qualified for the credit. This year, the credit was expanded to include volunteers with county or municipal emergency services and disaster agencies. Taxpayers must have a Voluntary Emergency Worker Credit Certificate to claim this credit, which can be obtained through the MyTax Illinois portal.
4. Education Expense Credit: Parents or legal guardians of full-time K-12 students under 21 can claim a 25% tax credit on qualified educational expenses over $250. The total credit cannot exceed $750. Qualified expenses include tuition, book rental, and lab fees. For homeschooled students, book rental and lab fees exceeding $250 are also eligible.
5. Illinois Property Tax Credit: A credit equal to 5% of Illinois property tax paid on a principal residence. To qualify, the taxpayer must own and reside in the residence for which they are claiming the credit.

For more detailed information about these tax benefits, taxpayers can visit the IDOR website’s credits page.

Taxpayers with questions can contact IDOR’s taxpayer assistance lines at 1-800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336. The department also provides automated menus to help taxpayers check refund status, identify an Illinois Personal Identification Number (IL-PIN), and receive estimated payment information. Free language assistance is available for individuals with Limited English Proficiency.

For further information on forms, schedules, and instructions for the 2025 tax season, taxpayers can visit IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov.