Roxie Price

If you are a taxpayer who has qualified for the earned income tax credit (EITC) and additional child tax credit (ACTC) in the past, you know that EITC stands for the earned income tax credit and ACTC stands for the additional child tax credit.  If you qualify or think you qualify for these credits, there is some important information you should know before filing taxes in 2018.  Like the 2017 tax season, there will be refund delays for those who qualify for these credits in 2018.

Based on provisions in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the EITC and ACTC until mid-February.  The legislation was passed to reduce identity theft.  According to information on the IRS’ website (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing), taxpayers with refunds that include the EITC and ACTC and use direct deposit will likely have their refunds deposited into their bank accounts by Feb.  27 there isn’t a problem with the tax return.

The delay will apply to the total tax refund (refund of taxes paid and credits) for all taxpayers who claim the EITC or ACTC.  If you don’t claim the EITC or ACTC, you don’t have to be concerned about the potential delay as the refunds of taxpayers who don’t claim these credits won’t be delayed.

 If you claim the EITC or ACTC, there isn’t anything you can do to receive your refund earlier than mid-February.

The UGA Tift County Extension office will offer free tax filing assistance during the tax season.  Please call our office at 229-391-7980 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Roxie Price is the Family and Consumer Sciences agent with UGA Extension in Tift County.