Money you’re owed.
Seven quick questions, then a list of federal credits and benefits you likely qualify for but may never have claimed. Every link goes to a FREE filing or claiming route — IRS Free File, VITA clinics, the CRA’s free tax clinics, the Government of Canada benefits finder. No paid tax-prep affiliates. No data stored unless you save it as a goal.
Where do you file taxes?
The programs we'll look at differ by country.
Who it's for
Use this if…
You're a US or Canadian filer who suspects you've been leaving federal tax credits or benefits on the table. The IRS estimates roughly 1 in 5 EITC-eligible filers never claims it; the CRA reports similar gaps on the Canada Workers Benefit and provincial credits.
How it works
The math, in plain English.
Seven quick questions about country, filing status, income band, dependents, student/education status, work situation, and age band feed a rules engine. Each rule maps an eligibility predicate to a conservative annual-amount range — for US it includes EITC, Child Tax Credit, Saver's Credit, AOTC, Lifetime Learning Credit, and VITA free-filing access; for Canada it includes the Canada Workers Benefit, Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit, and Tuition Tax Credit.
The result is a total estimated range plus per-program cards. Each program card has a one-line plain-English explanation and — most importantly — a direct link to a FREE filing or claiming route. No paid tax-prep affiliates. Ever.
If you sign up, the total estimate can be tracked as a 'credit_claim' goal on your dashboard so you can mark each one done as you actually file.
Assumptions
What it skips on purpose.
- Income bands are coarse on purpose — the tool surfaces what you might qualify for, not what you'll receive. Actual amounts depend on the precise numbers on your return.
- We screen federal programs only. State/provincial credits and rebates are out of scope for this tool (intentionally — covering all 50 states + 13 provinces well would make the questionnaire 40 questions long).
- The First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (Canada) is flagged for working-age filers in mid-income bands. We don't ask whether you actually bought a home — it's flagged as 'worth checking', not assumed.
- Lifetime Learning Credit (US) is generally a worse deal than the American Opportunity Tax Credit for undergrads. The rules engine pivots to AOTC when both could apply.
- Estimates are CURRENT-year figures (2024–25 federal amounts). Tax law changes annually — re-verify amounts on the official source URL each card links to.
FAQ
Quick answers.
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and who qualifies in 2026?
EITC is a refundable US federal tax credit for low-to-moderate-income workers. For 2024–25, max amounts range from ~$632 (no kids) to ~$7,830 (3+ kids). Phase-outs and income limits depend on filing status. The IRS estimates 1 in 5 eligible filers never claims it — usually because they don't realize they qualify. If you worked and your income was under ~$66,000 (with kids) or ~$18,500 (without), it's worth running the numbers.
Can I claim missing tax credits from previous years?
Yes — in the US, you have up to 3 years from the original due date to amend a return and claim a missed credit. The IRS pays interest on amended refunds. In Canada, you can typically file an adjustment (T1-ADJ) for any return going back 10 years. Both processes are free; the tools this calculator links to (Free File, VITA, CRA volunteer clinics) cover amendments.
Is the Saver's Credit worth it for low-income workers?
Yes, and it's one of the most under-claimed US credits. Contribute up to $2,000 to an IRA or 401(k) and the IRS gives you a credit of 10–50% (depending on income) — a $1,000 retirement contribution can cost you $500. Income limits in 2025: ~$38,250 single, ~$76,500 married filing jointly. Worth claiming even on a modest salary.
What free tax-filing options exist in the US?
Three main ones: IRS Free File (income under ~$84,000), the IRS Direct File pilot (limited states, expanding), and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance — in-person help, income under ~$67,000). All three handle current and amended returns. None charge anything; none upsell. Tax-prep affiliate sites that say 'free' usually charge for state returns or 'enhanced' features — those are not on this list and never will be.
How do I claim the Canada Workers Benefit?
The CWB is calculated automatically when you file your federal return — you don't apply separately. The catch: you have to FILE to receive it, even if you owe no tax. If you didn't file in a year you were eligible, CRA lets you file late and still claim — up to 10 years back via a T1-ADJ adjustment.
Are tax-prep affiliate sites ever worth it?
Almost never for filers with simple-to-medium-complex returns. They optimize for the upsell, not the credit. The free routes above handle EITC, CTC, Saver's, and AOTC competently. Where paid software helps: rental income, multi-state returns, K-1s, foreign income. For everyone else, the free routes are the right answer.
Related
Pair it with these.
Sources
Where the numbers come from.
General information, not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Estimates depend on the assumptions above; your real result will vary. See the editorial standards for the sourcing policy.