PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The deadline for submitting income tax returns to the IRS this year is April 18, and it’s fast approaching. Officials are making a final push to get people to file this year — even if they don’t normally file tax returns — so they can take advantage of the child tax credit and other benefits made available because of the pandemic.
Failure to claim the child tax credit could leave thousands of dollars on the table that should instead be in the bank accounts of those who need it most.
“We really want people to file for the child tax credit. It’s tons of money for families in Philadelphia. There’s really no reason that you should not file to get that money in your home,” said Sarah Martinez, a paralegal at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia.
The maximum credit payment for a family with kids over the age of 6 is $3,000 per child, depending on income. And for a family with kids under the age of 6, the maximum payment is $3,600 per child, also depending on income.
“Lots of people in Philadelphia make under $75,000 or make under $150,000 for a joint return, so they should qualify for that total amount for their children,” Martinez said.
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Since the pandemic struck, CLS has been working with people to help them claim stimulus checks they may have missed out on. Now they want to make sure people are taking advantage of the child tax credit. Taxpayers who received advance payments last year will need to file this year to claim the remaining amount. And for those eligible taxpayers who have received nothing so far, filing is a must.
Those who make less than their standard deduction, and in most cases those who receive Social Security benefits usually don’t file tax returns. However, anyone who missed one or all of the stimulus checks that rolled out in 2020 and 2021, as well as anyone who qualifies for the child tax credit, should file this year to get what’s owed them.
Martinez says the group Campaign For Working Families, has been a big help for those who can’t afford a tax preparer.
“For the most part, most of our clients, if you’re low income, will qualify to do a free tax return through them,” Martinez said. “But most Philadelphia families can do it.”
Qualifying individuals can file $0 tax returns for these payments — no IRS form 1040 or IRS form 1099 needed.
“For people who are filing zero dollar tax returns, specifically just for stimulus checks and the child tax credit, they can delay filing, it’s just going to be harder to find someone to assist you,” Martinez said.
People who need last-minute help can call the CLS hotline at 215-981-3700.
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