What are error rates for refundable credits and what causes them? Q.What are error rates for refundable credits and what causes them? A.The IRS estimates two types of error rates for the earned income tax credit (EITC): the improper payment rate and the over-claim rate. The former includes IRS enforcement activities while the latter does not. The IRS has estimated an EITC improper payment rate of between 22 and 26 percent of EITC payments and an over-claim rate of between 29 and 39 percent of dollars claimed. Read more about What are error rates for refundable credits and what causes them?
What is the difference between refundable and nonrefundable credits? Q.What is the difference between refundable and nonrefundable tax credits? A.Taxpayers subtract both refundable and nonrefundable credits from the taxes they owe. If a refundable credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, the difference is paid as a refund. If a nonrefundable credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, the excess is lost. Read more about What is the difference between refundable and nonrefundable credits?
What is the adoption tax credit? Q.What is the adoption tax credit? A.The tax code provides an adoption credit of up to $14,300 for qualified adoption expenses in 2020. The credit is available for each child adopted, whether via public foster care, domestic private adoption, or international adoption. The total amount of adoption credits for 2018 is estimated to reach approximately $400 million. Read more about What is the adoption tax credit?