Five Tips for Avoiding Refund Delays Relating to Your Economic Recovery Payment
January 1, 2010 – Special Edition TT-2010-21
The $250 Economic Recovery Payments that were issued in 2009 by the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement Board must be included when claiming the Making Work Pay Tax Credit on 2009 tax returns. Many people who worked during 2009 and also received a $250 Economic Recovery Payment in 2009 are slowing down their tax refunds by not properly including the payments when claiming the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.
Here are five tips from the IRS that will help you avoid these refund delays:
- If you worked during 2009, you may be eligible to claim the Making Work Pay Tax Credit that was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is worth up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples.
- The Economic Recovery Payments are not taxable income; however, anyone who receives social security, veteran or railroad retirement benefits, as well as certain other government retirement benefits, must reduce the Making Work Pay Tax Credit they claim by the amount of any payment they received in 2009.
- Taxpayers with earned income should claim the credit by attaching Schedule M to their 2009 income tax return.
- To help avoid delays when you claim the credit, make sure you properly report your Economic Recovery Payment on IRS Schedule M, Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits.
- If you are not certain whether you received the $250 payment, you should verify that information by contacting the appropriate agency before preparing and filing your tax return and claiming the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.
More information about the Economic Recovery Payment and the Making Work Pay Tax Credit can be found at IRS.gov/recovery.
Use TaxACT's Making Work Pay Calculator to estimate how much the credit could be worth to you.
TaxACT will walk you through the nuances of the Making Work Pay Credit during the Federal Q&A. Your credit amount will be figured via Schedule M and then recorded on your 1040, 104A or 1040EZ. Start your free federal return now.
Links:
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information Center
- Schedule M, Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits
Additional Contact Information:
- Social Security Administration - Toll free Number: 800-772-1213
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Toll Free Number: 800-827-1000
- Railroad Retirement Board
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