18 THE QUEENS COURIER • APRIL 23, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
tax guide
Taxpayers still have time to do their taxes for free
Th e Internal Revenue Service reported
a record increase in the use of Free File
products for entering and fi ling federal
income taxes and reminded taxpayers that
they should go through IRS.gov to ensure
they get the free off ers they are due.
As of April 10, the IRS has received
2.9 million tax returns through the Free
File program since January. Th at is a
28% increase compared to the 2.3 million
received during the same time last
year and already more than the 2.8 million
received during all of 2019.
“Th e IRS worked with the Free File
Alliance to make improvements to the
program this year, and this record
increase is an encouraging sign,” said
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We
will work to continue improving this program.
With the tax deadline extended to
July 15, we remind eligible taxpayers who
haven’t fi led to look into the Free File
options. Free File online products off er
free federal tax return preparation, free
electronic fi ling and free direct deposit
of refunds to help get your money faster.”
In addition to Free File remaining available
through the new July 15 tax deadline,
the IRS reminds taxpayers that two Free
File products are also available in Spanish.
Economic Impact Payments: Special
option available for those who don’t normally
fi le
Th e Free File Alliance also helped provide
people who don’t normally fi le
a tax return, and don’t plan to
for 2019, an easy way to register
for Economic Impact
Payment. Th is special
tool, available only
on IRS.gov, can be
found at Non-
Filers: Enter
Payment
I n f o
Here.
T h e
IRS, in partnership
with Free
File Inc., has provided
this streamlined entry
that people can quickly and
easily complete using their direct
deposit information and fi ling electronically
with the IRS. Th is easy-to-use
product adheres to the same security protocols
as all other tax soft ware products.
Special note for people required to fi le a
tax return for 2019
People who haven’t fi led a tax
return yet and are required to
or plan to fi le a Form 1040
for 2019, should not
u s e
the
Non-
F i l e r s :
E n t e r
P a y m e n t
Info Here
option. Using
this option could
slow processing of
their tax return and their
Economic Impact
Payment. People required to fi le for 2019
can use other Free File options or fi le as
they normally do.
Th ose eligible for an Economic Impact
Payment include U.S. citizens or resident
aliens who:
Have a valid Social Security number,
Could not be claimed as a dependent of
another taxpayer, and
Had adjusted gross income under certain
limits.
Some Free File partners also are providing
a free option for individuals who are
not required to fi le a tax return but who
are eligible for the payment. As a reminder,
always go to IRS.gov to seek out these
Free File options.
Taxpayers who have not yet fi led a
tax return for 2019 will still receive an
Economic Impact Payment based on their
2018 tax return, if they fi led one. Th e IRS
already has started dispersing those payments
to those with direct deposit information.
Taxpayers can use the new Get
My Payment tool on our website to check
the status of their payment.
H e r e ’ s
how Free File works:
Taxpayers whose income
was $69,000 or less last year
are eligible for the free soft -
ware. Th ere also is Free File
Fillable Forms, an electronic version
of IRS paper forms. It has no
income limitations. Free File options
are available at IRS.gov/freefi le.
Go to IRS.gov/freefi le to see all Free File
options.
Browse each of the off ers or use a “look
up” tool to help you fi nd the right product.
Each Free File partner sets its own
eligibility standards generally based on
income, age and state residency. But if
the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income was
$69,000 or less, they will fi nd at least one
free product to use.
Select a provider and follow the links to
their web page to begin a tax return.
Taxpayers should complete and e-File
a tax return only when they have all the
income and deduction records they need.
Th e fastest way to get a refund is by fi ling
electronically and selecting direct deposit.
For those who owe, use direct pay or electronic
options.
Please note: Because of COVID-19, the
IRS is not processing paper tax returns at
this time. Electronic fi ling options remain
available. To receive a refund electronically,
use the electronic fi ling option for Free
File and use direct deposit.
Beware of scams
Scammers are using the Economic
Impact Payment and fake fi llable forms
sites to try to trick individuals into providing
sensitive information such as banking
accounts. Please beware of fake emails,
texts and telephone calls about this payment.
Don’t fall for the fakes – always go
to IRS.gov for the offi cial information.
SALUTE YOUR LOCAL NURSES!
We’re paying tribute to Nurses and Health Care workers in a special
section planned for National Nurses Week. Please share your stories of a
health care professional that helped you in a time of need. Share your
story— in 100 words or less—and a photo of you and the individual if you
have one. Let us know your name, the worker’s name, and the facility so
everyone gets proper credit. Feel free to include a photo of you and the
nurse if you have one.
Send your story to heroes@schnepsmedia.com
Deadline: Sunday, May 3
Issue Dates: May 7 and 8
Louis Carino Year
Round
Service
TAX ACCOUNTANT- FINANCIAL PLANNER
"Over 20 Years Of Personalized Service"
• Preparation of all business
& personal returns
• Bookkeeping & payroll
services available
• E-file provider
Tel. (718) 767-6597
Fax. (718) 747-6149
Cell (917) 373-5975
LJC@loucarino.com
166-26 Powells Cove Blvd. • Ste 4D • Beechhurst, NY 11357
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