Dear Neighbor,

 

Please join me for my IRS Information Session with the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service on April 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Amid the 2025 tax season, I will answer some common tax questions, including questions about the filing process, tax credits and more. I know that filing your taxes can be intimidating but there are many resources available even in this turbulent time that can help make tax filing straightforward and manageable. I hope you’ll review my 2025 Tax Season FAQ guide below.

 

 

 

Most taxpayers have until April 15, 2025 to submit their tax returns or to submit an extension to file. If you request an extension, you’ll have until Tuesday, October 15, 2025 to file (but remember to request the extension!). People who owe taxes should still pay by April 15 to avoid late-payment penalties, as an extension to file is not an extension to pay taxes owed.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This tax year is the final opportunity available for Marylanders to claim any pandemic relief funding by filing their 2021 federal income tax return (Form 1040).

 

According to the IRS, approximately 22,000 Marylanders are eligible to receive over $21 million in stimulus checks and other funding that Congress appropriated in 2020 and 2021. Please click here to learn more.

 

 

This tax season, Maryland is one of 25 states where taxpayers can file their federal taxes for free using a new IRS program called Direct File. Direct File was made possible by a law that Democrats in Congress passed in 2022 to reduce the time and money that Americans spend on filing their federal taxes each year. Though Direct File has proven to be wildly successful, the current Administration may discontinue the program next year.

 

Montgomery County offers free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income county residents. Households earning $67,000 or less can make in-person and virtual appointments here. If you are outside of Montgomery County, you can find tax help services with this locator from the IRS. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation for Seniors and has no income limit. Seniors can schedule appointments with an AARP Tax Aide here.

 

If you cannot file electronically, you may mail in a paper Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Please note that return filing addresses vary based on your circumstances, and that you can find the right one for you at the IRS website here.

 

 

The IRS encourages you to file electronically as early as you can and to opt for direct deposit if you anticipate receiving a refund. This is the best way to ensure you receive your tax refund in a timely fashion. Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income less than $79,000 can file electronically for free using IRS Free File.

 

 

Low- to moderate-income Americans may qualify for the EITC, which can reduce the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund. You can find out if you are eligible with this tool on the IRS website.  If you have children, you may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Visit Credits and Deductions for more details.

 

 

Congress and President Biden worked together to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August of 2022, which provided historic investments in the IRS, allowing the agency to make much-needed improvements to its customer service, modernize its technology and operations, and more. In the most recent budget passed under the Trump Administration, $20 billion in funding was clawed back from this IRS funding. I am working alongside my colleagues in Congress to protect hard-won customer service improvements for taxpayers. Slashing IRS funding—worsens the IRS’s customer service and widen our country’s $688 billion tax gap in which wealthy corporations and individuals choose to evade the taxes they owe.

 

 

The IRS website is a great resource for all things taxes. In particular, its Interactive Tax Assistant can answer more of your questions, help you find out how much your standard deduction is, determine whether or not you can claim dependents, discover what tax credits you may qualify for and more.

 

My district office stands ready to help you communicate with the IRS should any problems with your return arise.  If your return is not processed within five months from the date of filing, please contact my district office for assistance.

 

To get help with the IRS or any other federal agency, please fill out my online request form.