Even if you didn’t pay excess tax, you may still get a refund if you qualify for a refundable credit, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit. To get your refund, you must file a return, and you have three years to claim a tax refund. Who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax CreditIf you have a child, you are most likely eligible for the Child Tax Credit. When the tax credits will become availableThe IRS expects most refunds for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2 for taxpayers who choose direct deposit. That’s because the IRS began phasing out paper tax refund checks on Sept. 30 in accordance with an executive order.