The Internal Revenue Service today urged Americans to file a 2021 federal income tax return so
\nthey can take advantage of key tax benefits included in the American Rescue Plan and other recent
\nlegislation.<\/p>\n
Often, individuals and families can get these expanded tax benefits, even if they have little or no
\nincome from a job, business or other source. This means that many people who don\u2019t normally
\nneed to file a return should consider doing so this year. Because claiming these benefits could
\nresult in tax refunds for many people, individuals should file an accurate return electronically and
\nchoose direct deposit to avoid processing delays and speed delivery of their refund.<\/p>\n
Expanded tax benefits
\nA new fact sheet, FS-2022-10, available now on IRS.gov, describes many of these expanded tax
\nbenefits. But the IRS emphasized that these benefits are only available to people who file a 2021
\nfederal income tax return. Benefits include:<\/p>\n
An expanded Child Tax Credit: Families can claim this credit, even if they received monthly
\nadvance payments during the last half of 2021.
\nAn increased Child and Dependent Care Credit: Families who pay for daycare so they can work or
\nlook for work can get a tax credit worth up to $4,000 for one qualifying person and $8,000 for two
\nor more qualifying persons.
\nA more generous Earned Income Tax Credit: The American Rescue Plan boosted the EITC for
\nchildless workers. There are also changes that can help low- and moderate-income families with
\nchildren.
\nThe Recovery Rebate Credit: Those who missed out on last year\u2019s third-round of Economic Impact
\nPayments (EIP3), also known as stimulus payments, may be eligible to claim the RRC. This credit
\ncan also help eligible people whose EIP3 was less than the full amount, including those who
\nwelcomed a child in 2021.
\nA deduction for gifts to charity: The majority of taxpayers who take the standard deduction can
\ndeduct eligible cash contributions they made during 2021. Married couples filing jointly can deduct
\nup to $600 in cash donations and individual taxpayers can deduct up to $300 in donations. In
\naddition, itemizers who make large cash donations often qualify to deduct the full amount in 2021.
\nSee the fact sheet for more information.<\/p>\n
The IRS reminds early filers that by law, the agency cannot issue EITC refunds before mid-
\nFebruary. The same rule applies to refunds that include the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This
\nyear, the ACTC is typically claimed by Americans abroad who did not have a main home in the
\nUnited States for more than half of 2021. Normally, the mid-February restriction does not apply to
\nthe Refundable Child Tax Credit (RCTC) claimed by people who had a main home in the U.S., unless
\nthey also claim the EITC.<\/p>\n
Helpful reminders
\nThe IRS urges everyone to make sure they have all their year-end statements in hand before filing
\ntheir 2021 return. Besides all W-2s and 1099s, this includes two statements issued by the IRS \u2014
\nLetter 6419, showing their total advance Child Tax Credit payments, and Letter 6475, showing
\ntheir total EIP3 payments. Individuals can also use IRS Online Account to see the total amounts of
\ntheir third round of Economic Impact Payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments. Married
\nspouses who received joint payments will each need to sign into their own account to retrieve
\ntheir separate amounts.<\/p>\n
For most Americans, the tax-filing deadline is April 18, 2022. For residents of Maine and
\nMassachusetts, the deadline is April 19, 2022. For Americans who live and work abroad, it\u2019s June
\n15, 2022. Anyone who needs more time to file can get an automatic extension until Oct. 17, 2022.<\/p>\n
Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and easy-to-use tools online at
\nIRS.gov. They can use these resources to get help when it\u2019s needed at home, at work or on the go.<\/p>\n
This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers file an
\naccurate tax return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax.<\/p>\n