Dear Friend,

It’s tax season and my office is here to help. The deadline for filing your 2020 taxes has been pushed back to May 17, 2021, and now it’s easier than ever to file online. I’ve included some helpful guidance below. And if you have any questions, please contact my Pasadena office at 626-304-0110.

Getting Started: How to File your 2021 Tax Returns Online

• Go to www.IRS.gov.
• To begin the process of filing your 2020 tax returns, select “File Your Taxes For Free.”
• IRS Free File is a program where taxpayers may file their federal tax returns for free using tax preparation and filing software.
• After selecting “File Your Taxes For Free,” you will be asked to select a Free File option based on your income. If you have an income of $72,000 or less, you may select “Choose an IRS Free File Offer.”
• Selecting “Browse All” will display all your Free File options. Please be sure to pay close attention to the eligibility guidelines for each of the free file programs. 
• Once you decide upon an option, select “View This Offer” where you will start the process of filing your tax returns. 
• If you have an income of $72,000 or more, you can select “Use Free File Fillable Forms” to file via mail or coordinate with a tax preparer or software. 

• If you did not receive the first or second Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks), or did not receive the full amount you are eligible for, the IRS advises you claim the amount you should have received as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax returns. 
• The Free File program you select will ask you whether you received the first and/or second Economic Impact Payment. If you did receive one or both, you will be asked to input the amount received. Once the information is provided, the Free File software will calculate the Recovery Rebate Credit that you’re eligible for. 
• If you need your Economic Impact Payment amounts, you can view them at IRS.gov/account. You may also refer to "Your Economic Impact Payment," which shows the amount of the first EIP (EIP 1) and the IRS mailing Notice 1444-B which shows the amount of the second EIP (EIP 2).

• If you received Unemployment Insurance in 2020 and are currently filing your 2020 tax return, you should have received a statement from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to help you complete your return. 
• If you’ve already filed your 2020 tax returns and are eligible for Unemployment Insurance tax forgiveness, the IRS will automatically refund the funds owed. 
• If you are currently filing your 2020 tax return and someone falsely claimed Unemployment Insurance using your Social Security Number, you should disregard the statement from EDD, file a report with EDD, and not report the Unemployment Insurance as income on your tax returns. 

• If your income is under $57,000 you can use the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for free tax return assistance.
• Visit IRS.gov and search for “VITA” or "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance" on the IRS search bar and select “Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers,” to determine if you are eligible and select “VITA/TCE Locator Tool” to find the nearest VITA center to you.  
• You can also find out about local AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services and learn more about the program at www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide. This free program is available to people of low- and moderate-income, with special attention to those 50 years and older. 

Sincerely,

Judy Chu, PhD
Member of Congress

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