FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2020

Muscogee (Creek) Nation VITA and TCE programs suspended due to COVID-19

IRS extends tax filing, Economic Impact Payments to be issued 

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs have been suspended until further notice due to the public health and safety risk of COVID-19.

Muscogee (Creek) citizens are encouraged to use the IRS free e-file services during this time at: myfreetaxes.com.

Any citizen who utilizes these programs who may have further questions may contact, Zech Harjo at: (918) 758-8782 or (918) 549-2767.

The IRS has responded to COVID-19 by extending the deadline for tax filing and payment to July 15.

The IRS will also be issuing Economic Impact Payments to every eligible American based on tax filing and Social Security benefits records.

Those who receive Social Security benefits who may have questions can call their local Social Security office and speak with their case manager.

For more information and updates about the Economic Impact Payments, visit: www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

For more FAQs about the VITA, TCE and IRS stimulus package, see below:

Important Tax Filing Updates

• Until further notice, the MCN Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs have been suspended due to the public health and safety risk of COVID-19. Currently, there are no similar programs open to the public within MCN jurisdiction.
• The filing and payment deadline has been extended an extra 90 days beyond the former April 15^th filing/payment deadline. The new filing/payment deadline is July 15, 2020.
• For more information, you can visit irs.gov/coronavirus for the most recent updates and tips.

Still Need to File Taxes?

• While nearly all VITA-TCE sites are currently closed, there may be some sites working towards a virtual filing system that would allow them to continue operations and some sites may reopen later this summer prior to the new deadline.

For updates on these sites and opportunities, please call the MCN VITA Site Coordinator Zech Harjo @ 918.758.878299 or 918.549.2767.

• If your adjusted gross income is under $69,000 and you have internet access at home, you can use the IRS Free File at myfreetaxes.com where there is also technical assistance available to those filing who have questions.

Clients who use the IRS Free E-File, may also reach out to the MCN VITA program at the number listed above for questions or inquiries not answered by MyFreeTaxes.com or any other IRS Free E-File program.

What about the Stimulus Package?

• The IRS will soon be issuing Economic Impact Payments to every eligible American based on tax filing and social security benefits records. Eligible Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a return will not be required to file a return or provide further information.
• All individuals who make under $75,000 qualify for the full $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. For Head of Household individuals, the threshold is $112,500. For married couples, the threshold is $150,000 and the payment is $2,400.

**For heads of household and married couples, there is a $500 additional payment for each eligible dependent.**

• All individuals whose income exceeds the above listed thresholds will be issued a reduced payment with the final income thresholds of $99,000 for single filers, $136,500 for head of household and $198,000 for married couples. Incomes above these thresholds are not eligible for the Economic Impact Payments.

How Do I Receive My Payment?

• Since the Economic Impact Payment is to be issued based on tax filings and social security benefits, the majority of eligible Americans do not need to take ANY action to receive their payments.
• The IRS will issue payments via direct deposit to the bank account or paper checks to the addresses associated with tax filings from tax years 2018 and 2019. The majority of citizens who draw social security benefits, will also qualify for the payments whether or not they have filed taxes. Those payments will be issued to the bank account or mailed to the address social security benefits are normally distributed to.
• Individuals who qualify for the Economic Impact Payment based on income, but have not filed taxes in the last 2 years are urged to do so even if they normally are not required to file taxes because of low income. A recent filing will provide IRS the necessary information as to where to issue the Impact Payment, as well as any owed tax return refunds – direct deposit is the fastest way to get either the Impact Payment or a refund.
• If no action is taken, individuals who qualified for the Impact Payment, but did not receive a payment may be able to claim the payment as a tax credit in the 2021 filing season.

Still waiting and want to know where your stimulus payment is?

• For most citizens, no action is required, if you’ve filed taxes within the last 2 years including Veterans. Furthermore, the Economic Impact Payments will be paid to the Veterans without the requirement for them to go anywhere online and enter the information.
• To check the status of your payment please visit: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment and follow the instruction therein. Do not leave any question unanswered or give “N/A”; the system cannot interpret such responses and may delay payment
• If have not filed or are not typically required to file, use the Non-Filers payment information link: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here.

General information about the Economic Impact Payments is available on a special section of IRS.gov at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.

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