The most common question among many applicants who have completed their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) application is "what to do next." Although the application is finished, the screening process remains before payment, leaving a number of things to check. According to the National Tax Service's guidance materials, first-half EITC applicants will undergo screening and are scheduled to be paid in August. We have summarized the five key points you must check after applying and before the August payment.

1. Check Normal Receipt Status and Screening Progress The first thing to do is to check whether the application details were normally received. By accessing Hometax or Sonotax, you can easily check the application status and receipt status. There are occasionally cases where the receipt was not processed properly due to identity verification or network issues, so it must be carefully double-checked. Recently, the proportion of mobile checks using Sonotax via smartphones has increased significantly, so it is recommended to use the mobile service if accessing Hometax is difficult.

2. Check NTS Guidance Text Messages and Contact Information After completing the application, you must frequently check mobile text messages and National Tax Service guidance messages. This is because the NTS may send a guidance text if further confirmation is required during the screening process. If your address or contact information has changed, it is important to keep the related information up to date.

3. Note That 'Expected Amount ≠ Actual Payment Amount' According to the NTS data, after applying, a screening process regarding income, assets, and household composition is conducted, and the submitted details are compared and reviewed with actual data. The NTS explains, "Whether to pay and the payment amount are determined according to the screening results." Since income, assets, and household type are comprehensively reflected, the actual payment amount may differ from the amount expected at the time of application. In some cases, payment amount adjustments are necessary, so rather than making hasty assumptions, you should wait for the final screening results.

4. Double-Check Payment Account Information The credit is paid into the account registered during the application process. If the account information was entered incorrectly or the account is difficult to use, the payment process may be delayed. If there are changes to the account after applying, it is advisable to check and modify the details according to the NTS guidance.

5. Need for Additional 'Regular Application' After First-Half Application "Do I need to apply again for the regular application after the first-half application?" is one of the most frequently asked questions by applicants. According to the guidance, the first-half application is a procedure based on the half-year payment system, and the final amount can be calculated during the subsequent settlement process. Since specific details vary depending on individual circumstances, you should check the official NTS guidance.

Don't Be Impatient... Sequential Screening and Payment in Progress The most important thing after applying is to reduce impatience. Every year, right after the EITC application deadline, inquiries such as "Why hasn't it been deposited yet?" and "Isn't the screening taking too long?" are repeatedly made. However, the credit is not paid immediately after applying, but is paid sequentially after undergoing screening. In fact, many applicants become anxious because there is no change for several weeks, but in most cases, the normal screening process is underway. The NTS also officially guides, "The screening process takes place after applying, and the credit is paid after the payment decision is made."

[※ The information provided in this article is intended to help understand general policies, and results may vary depending on actual policy application or individual circumstances. Since government policies may change frequently, you must check the official materials from relevant ministries. This newspaper is not legally or financially responsible for the information. This article was written with the help of AI, going through a data organization and sentence correction process. Actual eligibility for payment, payment amount, and payment schedule may change depending on the NTS screening results and official guidance.]