For some Pennsylvanians, tax filing season can be full of headaches. Unfortunately, the IRS is still being impacted by pandemic-related delays. Below are helpful tips for quick and easy filing—as well as opportunities to grow your refund—for Pennsylvania families filing their taxes.
HOW TO FILE
The IRS strongly encourages taxpayers to file an accurate electronic tax return to avoid delays getting your refund. Here are resources to help you file this year:
- IRS Free File program: Free online guided tax preparation if your income is $73,000 or less.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: Free, in-person tax preparation if your income is less than $58,000 or if you have a disability or limited English-language proficiency.
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program: Free filing help for individuals 60 and older.
- For tax return questions, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant.
- Paid tax preparers can be a helpful resource. However, make sure to find a credentialed preparer on the IRS’s official directory.
NEW CREDITS IN 2022
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan last year that includes a number of additional tax credit opportunities for Pennsylvania families:
- Expanded Child Tax Credit: Up to $3,000 per child and $3,600 for children under six. If you received monthly payments in 2021, you can still claim 6 months of payments when you file.
- Expanded Child Care Tax Credit: Up to $4,000 per child or $8,000 per family for care expenses, including: Center-based care; family, home-based child care; babysitters, relatives, neighbors, or friends; and before- or after-school care, and summer or vacation day camps. (NOTE: Proof of payment and the Tax ID of the person or business paid is required)
- Earned Income Tax Credit: Tripled for childless workers to $1,502 in 2021 and now available to older adults, homeless youth and former foster youth.
- If you didn't receive the final $1,400 Economic Impact Payment check, you can claim the payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 return.
ELECTRONIC TAX FILING TIPS
If your 2020 tax return is still processing, enter $0 for last year's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) when you file electronically for 2021. If you used the IRS's Non-Filer Sign Up tool in 2021 to register for the Child Tax Credits or Economic Impact Payments, enter $1 for last year's AGI.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
- Check the status of your return with the "Where's My Refund?" tool or on the IRS2Go mobile app.
- If you have further questions or need assistance, you can contact my office at 866-461-9159 or at casey.senate.gov/contact/assistance.
