Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE – Thousands of New Mexicans who receive Social Security benefits and have children – but who didn’t file a tax return – have just hours left to apply for expanded stimulus payments.
They must file a federal form by 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, to get the extra $500 this year for each qualified child.
The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty is encouraging people who qualify to file immediately.
“We are horrified by the IRS’s sudden announcement … forcing a large category of people to file a form by (this) morning to get stimulus payments for their children in a timely way,” said Lindsay Cutler, an attorney at the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.
The tight deadline applies to recipients of Social Security, veterans and railroad retirement benefits.
The IRS is issuing $1,200 economic stimulus payments. Recipients are also eligible for an extra $500 for each dependent child.
Recipients who don’t file tax returns must instead complete a federal form – available at irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here – by 10 a.m. today.
“This is not enough time for most people to even hear about this new requirement, much less complete the form,” Cutler said. “Other options should be made available. People who receive Social Security, veterans, and railroad retirement benefits programs should fill out the IRS Portal immediately to ensure they get their payment this year.”
