Low-Income Illinoisans Could Be Eligible For $3,700 to $30,000+ By Filing 2020 Taxes
Get My Payment IL Coalition
Published: May 6, 2021
Get My Payment IL Coalition Works to Increase Access to Stimulus Checks, Government Funds
CHICAGO (May 6, 2021) – Many Illinoisans are eligible for thousands of dollars this year from missed stimulus checks and a variety of tax credits being offered or expanded due to the pandemic. All they have to do is file a 2020 tax return. Even people who are not required to file taxes, who have no earnings or who have not filed taxes in previous years may be eligible to receive these funds, and the Get My Payment IL Coalition is helping make the process easier for these individuals by connecting them to free tax-filing resources and working with them to understand which credits they are eligible for.
The three main tax credits that low- and/or no-income Illinoisans may be able to claim to receive these benefits include the –
- Recovery Rebate Credit (for missing stimulus checks) – Eligible Illinoisans who haven’t received their first and/or second stimulus checks or didn’t receive the full amounts, can still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to receive up to $1,800 ($3,600 for married couples) and $1,100 for each eligible dependent under 17. Additionally, if an individual with a Social Security number did not receive the first two stimulus checks because their spouse had an ITIN, the individual may be eligible to receive them now by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Eligible low-income workers can qualify for tax credits ranging from $538 to $6,660 through the EITC – even workers without children.
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) – Through the newly-expanded CTC for 2021, individuals can receive up to $3,600 per child under age 6 and up to $3,000 per child between ages 6 and 17. For example, an individual with three children can receive between $9,000 to $10,800 by claiming this tax credit. The IRS will start issuing monthly payments of the credit starting in July; eligible individuals can receive up to half of their 2021 Child Tax Credit amount in 2021 and the other half when they file their 2021 tax returns.
“There is a lot of money available this year through tax credits to help Illinoisans struggling through the pandemic, and often the people who need these benefits the most are the ones with the most barriers to access them,” said Tracy Frizzell, Executive Director of the Economic Awareness Council. “We formed the Get My Payment IL Coalition to ensure hardworking, low-income Illinoisans are receiving their stimulus checks. As tax season comes to a close, we want to tell as many people as possible to file their taxes to get those funds, as well as any additional benefits they are eligible for.”
The Coalition’s website connects individuals to free online tax-filing services and provides guides to help make the process easier, especially for those who may not have filed taxes in the past. For those who do not have internet access, a hotline is available at 888-553-9777 through which the Coalition can help answer questions about the stimulus checks. Additionally, if needed, the Coalition can share the necessary tax forms and instructions for paper filing. The extended deadline to file taxes is May 17, 2021.
To learn more about how to receive stimulus checks, other tax credit eligibility and where to get free tax-filing resources, visit GetMyPaymentIL.org. For those who do not have internet access or are not computer savvy, representatives are available via the hotline at 888-553-9777.
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About the Get My Payment IL Coalition:In 2020, several nonprofit organizations came together as the Get My Payment IL Coalition to help ensure more hardworking, low-income Illinoisans are able to receive their stimulus checks and to receive these funds more quickly. The Coalition comprises the Economic Awareness Council, New American Chicago, Heartland Alliance and Heartland Human Care Services. The Coalition works with governmental, private and nonprofit partners, including libraries, food pantries and banks, to help increase awareness and accessibility.