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The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new Spanish-language version of its online tool, Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant, designed to help families determine whether they qualify for the Child Tax Credit and the special monthly advance payments of the credit, due to begin on July 15.

Available exclusively on IRS.gov, the new Spanish version of the tool, like its English-language counterpart, is interactive and easy to use. By answering a series of questions about themselves and their family members, a parent or other family member can quickly determine whether they qualify for the credit.

Though anyone can use this tool, it may be particularly useful to families who don't normally file a federal tax return and have not yet filed either a 2019 or 2020 return. Often, these are people who receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness, low income households, and other underserved groups. Using this tool can help them decide whether they should take the next step and either register for the Child Tax Credit payments using another IRS tool, the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, or file a regular tax return using the IRS Free File system.

To help people understand and receive this benefit, the IRS has developed materials in several languages and additional multi-lingual resources will roll out in coming weeks and months. All tools and materials, in English and other languages, are posted on a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021.

Multilingual resources already available include:


A step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer Sign-up Tool (Publication 5538) in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Korean, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole and Russian. 
A basic You Tube video on the Advance Child Tax Credit in Spanish and Chinese, as well as English.
E-posters in various languages.
Information about Free File in seven languages.


Besides the Child Tax Credit, the IRS has a variety of tax-related tools and resources available in various languages. 

Community partners can help

The IRS urges community groups, especially those who serve non-English speakers, to help share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as well as other important benefits. This includes nonprofits, associations, education organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children. Among other things, The IRS is providing these groups with information that can be easily shared through social media, email and other methods.

Watch out for scams

The IRS urges everyone, especially those who speak languages other than English, to be on the lookout for scams related to both Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. In particular, scammers often target non-English speakers and underserved communities. The IRS emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a scam.

Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Remember, the IRS never sends unsolicited electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a non-governmental web site.


 



More about the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant

The Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant does not request any personally-identifiable information (PII) for any family member. For that reason, its results are not an official determination by the IRS. Though the results are reliable, if the questions are answered accurately, they should be considered preliminary. Neither the answers supplied by the user, nor the results, are retained by the IRS.

Non-filer Sign-Up Tool

If the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant indicates that a family qualifies for the credit, the next step is to either register with the IRS or file a return. For families who don't normally need to file a return, The online Non-filer Sign-Up Tool is the easiest way to register for the advance payments.

This tool, an update of last year's IRS Economic Impact Payment Non-filers tool, is also designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file tax returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks). In addition, it can help them claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they may have missed.

Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free File Alliance, the tool enables them to provide the IRS with basic information, such as their name, address, and social security numbers, as well as information about their qualifying children age 17 and under and their other dependents. It also enables them to provide their bank account information, so the IRS can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking or savings account.

The Non-filer Sign-Up tool should not be used by anyone who has already filed a 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return, or plans to do so.

Free File; a better option for some

Though the Non-filer Sign-up Tool is the easiest way to register for Advance Child Tax Credit payments, it may not be the best option for all families. That's because many families also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other benefits for low-and moderate-income people. For them, a better option is filing a regular tax return using the Free File system, available only on IRS.gov.

About the Advance Child Tax Credit

The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will calculate the payment based on a family's 2020 tax return, including those who use the Non-filer Sign-up Tool. If that return is not available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed, the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that was available in 2020.

The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.

To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15, and Dec. 15.

Source :
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-online-child-tax-credit-eligibility-tool-now-available-in-spanish-other-multi-lingual-materials-help-families-see-if-they-qualify-for-advance-payments

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The IRS reminds taxpayers they may have money waiting for them. An estimated 1.3 million taxpayers didn't file a 2017 Form 1040 federal income tax return and are due a refund.
Here are some things taxpayers should know about these unclaimed refunds:


To collect the money, taxpayers must file their 2017 tax return with the IRS no later than this year's tax deadline, Monday, May 17.
 
When a taxpayer who is getting a refund does not file a return, the law gives them three years to claim that tax refund. If the taxpayer does not file a tax return within three years, the money goes back to the U.S. Treasury. For 2017 tax returns, the three-year window closes May 17, 2021.
 
The law requires taxpayers to properly address and mail the tax return to the IRS. It must be postmarked by the May deadline.
 
The IRS may hold the 2017 refunds of taxpayers who have not filed tax returns for 2018 and 2019.
 
The unclaimed money will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS or a state tax agency. The money may also be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans.





By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their tax refund. Many low-and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the earned income tax credit. For 2017, the credit was worth as much as $6,318. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The 2017 thresholds were:
 

$48,340 for those with three or more qualifying children; $53,930 if married filing jointly
$45,007 for people with two qualifying children; $50,597 if married filing jointly
$39,617 for those with one qualifying child; $45,207 if married filing jointly
$15,010 for people without qualifying children; $20,600 if married filing jointly
 


Current and prior year tax forms are available on the Forms, Instructions and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
 
Taxpayers who are missing forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years 2017, 2018 or 2019 should request copies from their employer, bank, or other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms can order a free wage and income transcript at IRS.gov using the Get Transcript Online tool. Taxpayers can use the information on the transcript to file their tax return.




Source :
www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-taxpayers-need-to-know-about-getting-their-unclaimed-2017-tax-refunds

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The third Economic Impact Payment is an advance payment of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.
The two earlier payments are advance payments of the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Eligible people who didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if they don't usually file a tax return.

The third Economic Impact Payment will be larger for most eligible people.
Eligible individuals who filed a joint tax return will receive up to $2,800, and all other eligible individuals will receive up to $1,400. Those with qualifying dependents on their tax return will receive up to $1,400 per qualifying dependent.

More people qualify as dependents.
Unlike the first two payments, the third payment is not restricted to children under 17. Eligible families will get a payment for all qualifying dependents claimed on their return. This may include older relatives like college students, adults with disabilities, parents and grandparents.

Income phase-out amounts are different for the third payments.

Taxpayers will not receive a third payment if their Adjusted Gross Income exceeds:


$160,000, if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower.
$120,000, if filing as head of household.
$80,000 for eligible individuals using other filing statuses, such as single filers and married people filing separate returns


This means that some people won't be eligible for the third payment, even if they received first or second EIPs or are eligible for a 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.



Some people may be eligible for a Supplemental Payment.

The amount of the third payment is based on the taxpayer's latest processed tax return from either 2020 or 2019. If the taxpayer's 2020 return hasn't been processed, the IRS used 2019 tax return information to calculate the third payment.

If the third payment is based on the 2019 return, and is less than the full amount, the taxpayer may qualify for a supplemental payment. After their 2020 return is processed, the IRS will automatically re-evaluate their eligibility using their 2020 information. If they're entitled to a larger payment, the IRS will issue a supplemental payment for the additional amount.

Changes to earlier eligibility requirements.
For taxpayers who file jointly and only one individual has a valid SSN, the spouse with a valid SSN will receive up to a $1,400 third payment and up to $1,400 for each qualifying dependent claimed on their 2020 tax return.

For taxpayers who don't have a valid SSN, but have a qualifying dependent who has an SSN, they will only receive up to $1,400 for a qualifying dependent claimed on their return only if they meet all other eligibility and income requirements.

If either spouse was an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the taxable year, only one spouse needs to have a valid SSN for the couple to receive up to $2,800 for themselves, plus up to $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.

If married taxpayers filing jointly did not receive one or both of the first two Economic Impact Payments because one spouse didn't have a Social Security number valid for employment, they may be eligible to claim a 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 tax return for the spouse with the SSN valid for employment.



Source :
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-the-third-economic-impact-payment-is-different-from-earlier-payments

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