Americans can get a one-time payment of up to $5,000 - see if you're eligible (2024)

6th Mar 2024, 13:00By Matthew Aquino

IRS free filing push-back, part two

Private tax filing companies have paid around $39.3million since 2006 to block this initiative.

• Intuit: $25.6million
• H&R Block: $9.6million
• Americans for Tax Reform: $3million

Other groups have put money towards pushing the initiative through:

• NAACP: $140,000
• Public Citizen: $110,000

Igor Volsky, executive director of Groundwork Actions advocacy group, said, “The overwhelming majority of people demand a free-file option,”

“Now the question for us is how do you channel that into effective political pressure.”

The IRS has officially said that afree file optionwill be launched through their website for the 2024 filing season.

NOT SO SMALL CHANGE Free ways to file your IRS tax return after TurboTax ENDS its offer

6th Mar 2024, 12:30By Matthew Aquino

IRS free filing push-back, part one

TheIRSis planning to pilot a new electronic free-filetaxreturn system this coming year, a potentialpermanent programif it experiences success.

While, there are method of filing for free online presently, they are through third-party sites that can be hard to navigate and easy to accidentally pay for services.

Tax preparation companies, such as TurboTax and H&R Block havepaid millionsof dollars to try and block this initiative’s launch, as it would result in a massive loss of revenue for them.

6th Mar 2024, 12:00By Matthew Aquino

California’s Clean Cars

Californiais launching a new rebate program that intends to help low-income families transition to electric vehicles.

The state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project will be replaced by the new Clean Cars 4 All program.

The program will provide individuals who earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level grants to purchase an electric vehicle.

Residents who qualify can apply for grants up to $7,500 to purchase a greener car.

SHOCKING REBATE One-time payment between $1,000 to $7,500 available for millions

6th Mar 2024, 11:30By Matthew Aquino

Look for state rebates ahead of tax season

Karla Dennis, an enrolledtaxagent who’s licensed in all 50 states, urges residents to find out if their state is offeringrebates.

Dennis recommends individuals do an online search with their state.

“I would type in tax stimulus in my state,” she said.

For example, “tax stimulus,Californiarebate [or]NewYork, I would definitely Google search it like that.”

Dennis added it’s also worth checking your state’s Department of Revenue website to see if anything is being offered.

6th Mar 2024, 11:00By Matthew Aquino

How to qualify for Flint’s guaranteed income

Flint residents who are pregnant or have a baby born as of January 1, 2024, can complete abrief application onlineto start receiving payments.

The program is run by local pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha.

RX Kidsis a public-private partnership that is estimated to cost $55 million for five years of newborns. Over $43 million has been raised to help moms and their babies live more stable and healthier lives.

6th Mar 2024, 10:30By Matthew Aquino

No-strings-attached payments launch in Michigan

The city of Flint,Michiganis accepting applications for a new guaranteed income program called RX Kids.

The citywide maternal and infantpayment programhas no income restrictions or strings attached to what the money can be put toward.

Participants will receive $1,500 during mid-pregnancy and then $500 monthly for the infants’ first year.

BABY BUCKS Little-known payments worth up to $7,500 now available with no strings attached

6th Mar 2024, 10:00By Matthew Aquino

Learn about the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit applies to heat pumps and a variety of other projects including:

• Exterior doors, windows, skylights and insulation materials
• Central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers
• Biomass stoves and boilers
• Home energy audits

For most of these, the credit limit is $1,200.

Any installation must meetcertain standardsset out by the Department of Energy to qualify.

6th Mar 2024, 09:30By Matthew Aquino

Still time to apply for settlement cash

The total will grow by increments of $1 depending on the amount of time you’ve been a Verizon customer, according to thesettlement administrator.

In the email about the settlement, customers will have received an ID and confirmation code that they will need to get their money.

Once customers locate the right information, they have until April 15 tosubmit a claim online.

After the settlement is finalized, customers will be paid by check or electric payment.

6th Mar 2024, 09:00By Matthew Aquino

Eligibility for Verizon settlement cash

Eligible customers must have received postpaid wireless or data services fromVerizon, which is the opposite of a prepaid plan.

Postpaid users usually sign contracts and are billed based on their monthly usage.

Those eligible for payment should have gotten a notice about the lawsuit via mail or email.

It’s not yet been determined how much each eligible customer will get, which is common in class action lawsuits.

Those entitled to the money will likely get between $15 and $100.

6th Mar 2024, 08:30By Matthew Aquino

Verizon customers set to cash in

The cellphone and internet company agreed to pay $100 million to settle a class action lawsuit over an alleged deceptive scheme.

The lawsuit claims that the deceptive scheme involved the company’s administrative charges.

WhileVerizonhas denied doing anything wrong, they agreed to pay each customer up to $100.

According to the settlement, Verizon decided to change its customer agreement to more clearly disclose the administrative fee in question, even though it still intends to charge it.

To qualify for the class action settlement, you must be a current or former customer in the US who was charged andpaidan Administrative Charge and/or an Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge between January 1, 2016, and November 8, 2023, the notice states.

HOLD THAT LINE Americans can claim cash from $100M Verizon settlement but checks risk delay

6th Mar 2024, 08:00By Matthew Aquino

Qualifying for Apple settlement, continued

However, it’s not enough to have owned one of these devices, consumers also must have filed a claim by October 6, 2020, to get the payment.

If you filed a claim in the Batterygate settlement, you can check the settlement website for updates on your payment status.

You can also keep an eye out for a direct deposit in your bank account.

6th Mar 2024, 07:30By Matthew Aquino

Who qualifies for the Apple settlement

The lawsuit affects iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and the original iPhone SE models owners.

Consumers must have purchased the devices between 2014 and 2017 to be eligible for the payout.

The devices also must have run iOS 10.2.1 or later before December 21, 2017.

For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, those devices must run iOS 11.2 or later by the same date.

6th Mar 2024, 07:00By Matthew Aquino

More on the Apple settlement

It was subsequently settled in 2020, and at the time,Appleagreed to pay $500 million to affected customers.

Now the company is paying out around $310 million to consumers who filed the complaint.

The checks being mailed out are expected to be worth around $92.17 per person.

6th Mar 2024, 06:00By Matthew Aquino

What to know about the Apple settlement

Apple has begun paying iPhone owners to settle a lawsuit over its battery throttling practice.

Throttlinghelps to prolong a battery’s lifespan and help it retain its charge, but performance is immensely reduced.

Applebegan this practice in 2017, slowing down iPhones with older batteries to prevent them from unexpectedly shutting down.

However, Apple did not disclose this to customers beforehand and faced multiplelawsuits.

A year later, the lawsuit was filed in 2018, and it quickly gained traction amongiPhoneusers.

6th Mar 2024, 05:00By Matthew Aquino

California approves rebates of $12,076, concluded

Those who think they qualify should visit theCalEITC homepageto learn more about this and related credits.

You can claim CalEITC, YCTC, and FYTC by filing a state tax return, and make sure to file a federal return with the Internal Revenue Service to get the federal EITC.

Taxpayers must pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties.

The FTB started accepting state tax returns this month.

It recommends customers use online self-service options to avoid potentially long phone delays. Online resources are available 24/7.

6th Mar 2024, 04:00By Matthew Aquino

California approves rebates of $12,076, part three

Then there’s the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) which provides up to $1,117 per eligible tax return.

YCTC may provide you with cash back or reduce any tax you owe.

Californiafamilies qualify with an earned income of $30,931 or less.

Taxpayers must also have aqualifying childunder six years old at the end of the tax year andqualify for CalEITC.

For tax year 2023, the new Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) provides up to $1,117 per eligible individual or up to $2,234 if both the primary taxpayer and spouse or registered domestic partner qualify.

You must be a current or former foster youth who received care at age 13 or older and was placed through the California foster care system.

6th Mar 2024, 03:00By Matthew Aquino

California approves rebates of $12,076, part two

The CalEITC offers support for low-income, workingCalifornians.

You can get up to $3,529 for tax year 2023 as a working family or individual if you earn $30,950 or less per year.

You must claim the credit on the 2023 FTB 3514 form, California Earned Income Tax Credit, or if you e-file follow your software’s instructions.

To check if you qualify for CalEITC, the California State Franchise Tax Board provides anitemized list of requirements.

It’s also important to note that individuals earning less than $63,398 may also qualify for the Federal EITC.

6th Mar 2024, 02:00By Matthew Aquino

California approves rebates of $12,076

Californiansin a certaintaxbracket can receive up to $12,076 if they’re eligible under several criteria.

The California Franchise Tax Boardrecently broke downtips and reminders for taxpayers looking to improve their filing experience this season.

This includes advice on how to get a one-time tax rebate of up to $12,076.

But you can only see this money if you qualify for benefits from three programs: the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), and the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

Taxpayers should first make themselves aware of the CalEITC, the Young Child Tax Credit YCTC, and the Foster Youth Tax Credit FYTC.

CHECK PLEASE Americans can claim up to $600 in child tax credits from $180 million pot

6th Mar 2024, 01:00By Matthew Aquino

New Mexico expands CTC

Additionally, theNew Mexicotax package includes expanding the state’schild tax creditto up to $600 per kid.

The exact amount will vary depending on income.

Before the new law, the tax credit was worth $175 per child if the family income was less than $25,000 per year.

“Expanding the Child Tax Credit will help over 200,000 New Mexico families and broaden our successful effort to reduce child poverty rates, which dropped by a full percentage point between 2019 and 2021,” Grisham said in a statement following signing the tax measures into law.

6th Mar 2024, 00:00By Matthew Aquino

New Mexico provides relief to hundreds of thousands of people

New MexicoGovernor Michelle Lujan Grishamapproveda state-wide rebate program, as a part of a tax relief package.

To be eligible, you must be over the age of 18 and not be claimed as a dependent on taxes.

More than 900,000 taxpayers are in line to receive apayment, according to the Governor’s office.

The rebate distribution process started over the summer, according to Grisham.

6th Mar 2024, 23:30By Matthew Aquino

Colorado sends out big money rebates

InColorado, the Property Tax/Rent/Heat (PTC) rebate will support people with disabilities alongside older adults as they pay propertytaxes, rent, andheating bills.

The total amount available is up to $1,044, and if you apply in 2023, you’ll earn up to a $1,000 refundabletaxcredit.

The state anticipates the program to provide more than $7 million in relief to Coloradans in 2023 alone.

To qualify, you must be a full-year Colorado resident meeting a certain set of criteria.

Either you must be 65 years of age or older, have a surviving spouse 58 years of age or older, or have a disability.

For single filers, income is capped at $16,925 while those married filing jointly can make up to $22,858 to qualify.

6th Mar 2024, 23:00By Matthew Aquino

RAFT approves $4,000 for participants

TheRecovery Action Fund for Tomorrow(RAFT)has announced that they are giving payments of $4,000 to its previous applicants.

The organization has made an effort to helpfamiliesand seniors who are strugglingfinancially.

Those who have applied have the opportunity to receive a one-time payment of $4,000.

Families with children under 18 years old and seniors 55 years old and older are eligible for the money.

6th Mar 2024, 22:30By Matthew Aquino

Eligibility for the AOTC

To qualify for the payment, a person must be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential, and be enrolled for at least one academic period during that tax year.

They must also not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year, or have claimed the AOTC for more than four tax years.

They also must not have a felony drug conviction at the end of the tax year.

Finally, their modified adjusted gross income must be $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing jointly.

Those who are eligible will have received Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from an eligible educational institution.

6th Mar 2024, 22:00By Matthew Aquino

What to know about the American Opportunity Tax Credit

Many Americans are eligible for – and completely unaware of – the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) from theIRS.

It helps cover expenses paid for by an eligible student, offering a maximum annual credit that will lower tax bills by $2,500 per person.

If the credit brings down a person’s owed taxes to zero, then they can choose to get 40% of the remaining credit refunded as a direct payment, with a maximum of $1,000.

6th Mar 2024, 21:30By Matthew Aquino

Eligibility for Alaskan payments

This year’s checks will be for $1,312, but payment amounts vary each year.

To be eligible for the payment:

• Applicants must be a legal resident of Alaska
• Physically present in the state for a majority of the year
• Never have been convicted of a felony

Payments for 2024 won’t arrive until October, but applications for the checks are already open and must be completed by March 31.

Politicians are trying to snag a bigger check for this year as Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed a payment of $3,000 per person.

MORE MONEY Americans set to get ‘permanent’ $1,312 payment in second chance