Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

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Deadline extended to use the IRS Non-Filers portal

The IRS recently announced that their Non-Filers Portal will now remain open until November 21, 2020.  The Portal allows eligible people who do not file a tax return to claim the federal stimulus payment (EIP) announced in the spring of 2020.  The Portal is available at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here.

 

This extension does not apply to federal benefit recipients who still need to claim a stimulus payment for an eligible child.

 

Eligible people who miss the deadline can still claim the stimulus payment as a credit on their 2020 federal income tax return.  To do so, however, they must wait until next year and file a return.

 

Taxpayers cannot claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax credits through the Non-Filers Portal.  They must file a tax return to receive payment for those credits.  Anyone who filed or plans to file a 2018 or 2019 tax return should not use the Portal.

 

IRS Free File is also closing soon.  Free File is available to electronically prepare and file a 2019 tax return.  Online filing is only available until midnight on October 15. Returns can only be printed until October 20.  Free File is located at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free .

 

If you have questions about income tax issues, the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) may be able to help.  The Clinic’s services are free of charge. You can call the LASNNY Legal Line at (833) 628-0087 and ask for our LITC.  The Clinic does not generally provide tax preparation services.