IRS Urges Individuals to File and Take Advantage of Key Tax Benefits

The IRS has urged individuals to file a 2021 income tax return and take advantage of key tax benefits. Individuals and families can often get these expanded tax benefits even if they have little to no income. Claiming these benefits could result in tax refunds for many individuals. Individuals should file an accurate return electronically and choose direct deposit to avoid processing delays. The IRS has described many of these expanded benefits in a new fact sheet. The IRS emphasized that these benefits are only available to individuals who file a 2021 federal income tax return. The IRS also provided a list of benefits available to taxpayers. More information is available in the fact sheet. Further, the IRS reminded early filers that by law, the agency cannot issue Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit refunds before mid-February. Normally, this restriction does not apply to the refundable Child Tax Credit claimed by individuals who had a main home in the US, unless they also claim the EITC.

Additionally, the IRS reminded taxpayers to make sure they have all their year-end statements in hand before filing their 2021 returns. This includes Letter 6419, showing their total advance Child Tax Credit payments, and Letter 6475, showing the total amounts of their third round of Economic Impact Payments. Individuals can also find this information in their IRS Online Account. Married spouses who received joint payments will each need to sign into their own account to retrieve their separate amounts. For most taxpayers, the tax-filing deadline is April 18, 2022. For residents of Maine and Massachusetts, the deadline is April 19, 2022. For U.S. nationals who live and work abroad, it is June 15, 2022. Taxpayers who need more time can get an automatic extension until October 17, 2022.