Article by:
U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford
Filing Your Taxes Means Receiving Your Benefits
The end of the COVID-19 pandemic is on the horizon. With small businesses reopening, students returning to in-person learning, and more Nevadans vaccinated by the day, a sense of normalcy is slowly coming back.
After the hardship of the last year, many of our families will need a helping hand to fully recover. Now, that help is finally here.
In March, I proudly voted to pass the American Rescue Plan to put money in the pockets of Nevada’s struggling families. The law has already delivered $1,400 checks to most Nevadans, and more money is on the way for families with children.
For most Nevadans who file their taxes yearly, this money will come automatically. If you do not normally file your taxes, you must file soon to qualify for the money you deserve.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of the American Rescue Plan for your family and free tax assistance programs to help you file your tax returns.
What will the American Rescue Plan do for me?
1) Survival checks
The American Rescue Plan provides $1,400 checks to Nevada families and dependents (children or relatives) to put food on the table and a roof over your head. These checks will provide much-needed relief to keep struggling families afloat during these challenging times.
During a Facebook Live earlier this year, I heard from a single mom in the Fourth District who will use her survival check to buy groceries and diapers for her kids. Nevada still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and the survival checks will help countless families stay afloat during these tough times.
Most Nevadans have already received their survival checks. If you have not received your check, use the Get My Payment tool at http://irs.gov/getmypayment to check the status of your payment.
2) Child Tax Credits
When Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, we knew that $1,400 checks were not enough to help families recover from a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. That is why the law also provides $250-$300 monthly cash payments to most families with children between July - December of this year.
3) Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a program designed to lift low-income Americans out of poverty. The American Rescue Plan increases the EITC to $1,500 to give low-income families more money during a pandemic.
4) Child Care Tax Credit
The American Rescue Plan increases the tax break for childcare and dependent care costs. Under the new law, your tax bill could be reduced by thousands of dollars if you pay for childcare or dependent care in 2021.
Need help filing your taxes?
During this pandemic, community resources have been strained and nothing has moved as fast as it would during normal times. Earlier this year, I asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to extend their deadline for filing tax returns. After hearing from me and other leaders in Congress, the IRS extended the tax filing deadline until May 17.
In April, my office joined Commissioner William McCurdy II and the Nevada Free Taxes Coalition to host a free tax preparation event at the Walnut Recreation Center. During the event, tax professionals helped nearly 50 Nevadans prepare their 2020 taxes. If you missed the event and need help with your taxes, there are several cost-free assistance programs available.
Nevadans earning under $72,000 can file their taxes for free with online software available at http://irs.gov/freefile. If you are not comfortable with online software, volunteers with the Nevada Free Taxes Coalition can provide personal help. Call (702) 987-4625 or visit NVFreeTaxes.org to schedule an appointment today.
My office is here to help all residents of the Fourth Congressional District, so please do not hesitate to reach out. You can call us at (702) 963-9360 or visit us online at http://horsford.house.gov.