Speaker Coughlin, Treasurer Muoio, and Advocates: “It’s Not Too Late to Claim Tax Credits after Tax Day.”

The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit can still be claimed by those who didn’t file by Tax Day or didn’t claim all available credits on their returns.

Newark—New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and New Jersey State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio joined New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) and United Way of Northern New Jersey (UWNNJ) for a press conference today informing New Jerseyans how to claim the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) after Tax Day, April 18th.

The CTC helped lift millions of children out of poverty last year, while the EITC has been an effective tool against economic insecurity for countless working families. 

But according to United For ALICE, as of Fall 2021, some 138,000 eligible New Jersey families had not yet received their Child Tax Credit of $3,000 or $3,600 per child, which amounted to around $415 million in unclaimed credits. In addition, New Jerseyans who do not claim EITC credits could be missing out on up to $7,000 in tax credits, thanks to new pandemic-related EITC tax filing rules that greatly expanded eligibility. 

“New Jersey is making a promising recovery but, for the families still facing tough economic realities, putting food on the table, keeping a roof over their head, and affording daily expenses remains a struggle,” said New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Coughlin. “Thankfully, both federal and state tax credit expansions mean that countless working-and middle-class families should see thousands of dollars back in their pockets. Ensuring taxpayers know about these credits and how to claim them, even with Tax Day behind us, is critical in our work to make New Jersey more affordable.”

”’Although Tax Day has passed, there are many low-income families in New Jersey who do not typically file a tax return but who can still claim some of the expanded tax credits,” said Renee Koubiadis, Anti-Poverty Program Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. “There are potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed tax credit dollars in our state alone. We urge families to check with free tax preparation VITA sites like ours to see if they may qualify to file a tax return and get a refund.”

”Those who have moved, had a baby or lost a job may not realize they’re eligible for the Child Tax Credit – but it’s not too late for them to file and claim their $3,000 credit,” said Stephanie Hoopes, National Director of United For ALICE at United Way of Northern New Jersey. “Unclaimed Child Tax Credits total more than $415 million – which would go a long way toward helping struggling families meet their children’s needs.” 

Fortunately, eligible New Jerseyans who did not file a return on April 18th can still claim federal CTC and EITC credits even if they file late. New Jerseyans who owe no tax payments can file late returns with no penalties and can claim refunds up to three years after Tax Day. Tax filers who may have missed out on CTC or EITC credits due to errors on their original return can also file amended returns.

“If you made an error filing your taxes simply go back to your original method of filing, whether that’s through a program like Turbo Tax, or a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site like ours, and file an amended return,” said Naomi Anderson, New Jersey Citizen Action’s Director of VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). “Eligible New Jerseyans who have yet to file their taxes should make use of free VITA sites, which provide the expertise needed to ensure taxpayers don’t miss out on the credits they are entitled to.”

NJCA and UWNNJ are among organizations that run VITA sites which provide free services of trained tax professionals for taxpayers and households under certain income thresholds. Most sites in New Jersey have thresholds of $65,000 or $73,000 a year, though the exact amount depends on the grant funding for a particular site. 

The tax preparers at these sites enable eligible New Jerseyans to file correctly prepared returns at no monetary costs to themselves. There is also an online tool at GetYourRefund.org which allows taxpayers to access a VITA intake online and get matched directly to a VITA site to file their return.

Ensuring low-and moderate-income taxpayers and families get every credit they are entitled to will be of great benefit to New Jerseyans struggling to put food on the table and to pay for rent, utilities and other necessities even as the state continues to recover from the pandemic. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury is continuing its robust outreach efforts to inform New Jerseyans of all the of the many recently expanded tax benefits and the resources available for filing State tax returns, even after April 18, including the “Back in Your Pocket” public service video series.

“We’ve been working hard to connect New Jerseyans with the many tax relief programs that are available to put hard-earned money back in their pockets,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “We want everyone in New Jersey to know that the State’s Earned Income Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit mirror the federal tax programs, so if you qualify at the federal level, generally speaking, you also qualify for State credits. These benefits can be a vital lifeline, providing thousands of dollars for families when those funds are needed most.”

Treasury’s Division of Taxation offers 24-7 information and assistance online, including free tax forms and a free electronic filing system. So far for 2021, more than 428,000 New Jersey EITC claims have been paid, totaling more than $330 million. New Jersey also expanded eligibility for both the Earned Income Tax Credit and its Child and Dependent Care Credit this year to include more Garden State families than ever before.

These tax credits have been a boost to people like Newark resident Alina McKnight, a single mother who lives with three daughters and is pursuing a teaching career. McKnight is passionate about her chosen field, but as a per-diem teacher sometimes struggles to pay bills that include fees for teaching tests and certificates, school supplies, clothes, and transportation for her daughters.

“Getting the Child Tax Credit gives me peace of mind to pursue my career while taking care of my kids,” said McKnight. “If I have to miss a day to deal with a sick child or emergency, I know I’ll have that little extra boost to cover expenses for my family. It means I can tell my eldest that we can plan for a future that involves college and a good education. No family should miss out on these credits.”