IRS Extends Free File until Nov 17th

[Lee B]

"Free File remains open until Nov. 17 for those who still need to file their 2021 tax returns. This includes those who qualify for the Child Tax Credit, Recovery Rebate Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit but haven’t yet filed a 2021 tax return to claim them."

The IRS has sent out 9 million letters to people they think potentially qualify.

Get ready for the phone calls.

[Max W]

Maybe this is the extension my client got that I posted about recently.

I tried PPL this PM, but after 2 hour hold, hung up.  Will try again Monday.

[Lee B]

"The IRS said Thursday it will sending out the letters to millions of families who haven't claimed the Earning Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the Recovery Rebate Credit or other benefits, and it will be leaving open its Free File program until Nov. 17 to enable families to file tax returns to claim those benefits, depending on their personal and family situation."

"For this mailing, the Treasury' Department's Office of Tax Analysis identified individuals who don't typically have a tax return filing requirement because they appear to have very low incomes, based on Forms W-2, 1099s and other third-party statements available to the IRS.

The letters are similar to an earlier mailing the IRS sent in September 2020 encouraging 9 million potential non-filers to submit a tax return to claim the initial economic impact payment. They're part of an ongoing effort to spur people who aren't typically required to file to look into possible benefits available to them. Every year, people can overlook filing a tax return when they may be entitled to tax credits and a refund. They can also file a tax return even if they haven't yet received their letter." 

Can we make this any more confusing?