PR-2022-07, June 8, 2022 WASHINGTON — While many Puerto Rico residents aren't required to file federal income tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service wants them to know about their potential eligibility for the refundable Child Tax Credit. Recent tax law changes expanded the Child Tax Credit. Puerto Ricans must file a federal tax return with the IRS to get it. To help Puerto Rico residents on this and other issues, the IRS announced the Taxpayer Assistance Center in Guaynabo will be open and offering face-to-face help on Saturday, June 11. This special Saturday help is available at the City View Plaza II Building, 48 Carr 165 km. 1.2, Guaynabo, ZIP Code 00968, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and without an appointment. Normally, TACs are open by appointment only on weekdays. The American Rescue Plan made many residents of Puerto Rico newly eligible for the Child Tax Credit for the 2021 tax year. The 2021 legislation permanently expanded Child Tax Credit eligibility to residents of Puerto Rico with one or more qualifying children. The credit for 2021 is worth up to $3,600 for children ages 5 and under at the end of 2021, and up to $3,000 for children ages 6 through 17 at the end of 2021. Eligible taxpayers in Puerto Rico can claim the credit by filing a tax return, even if they don't have a filing requirement and have little or no income from a job, business, or other source. Anyone who qualifies has until April 15, 2025, to claim the credit for the 2021 tax year. Claiming these benefits could result in tax refunds for many people. Individuals should file an electronic return and choose direct deposit to avoid processing delays and speed delivery of their refund. The American Rescue Plan also made the credit fully refundable for 2021. This means that bona fide residents of Puerto Rico can claim the full amount of the credit for tax year 2021 even if they had no income and paid no U.S. Social Security taxes. Free tax return preparation services provided at San Patricio Office Center IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers will be available to provide free tax preparation services at the San Patricio Office Center (SPOC) building located at 7 Tabonuco Street, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968 on June 11. The only assistance available at the SPOC building will be free tax preparation services for individuals who have not yet filed a 2021 tax return. The income limit for VITA assistance is $58,000. Individuals filing Form 1040-PR can also use MyFreeTaxes to claim the Child Tax Credit. Foreign language interpreters will be available. IRS staff will schedule appointments for a later date for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who need sign language interpreter services. Before going to a TAC, the IRS encourages everyone to visit Let Us Help You where they'll find many online resources that are safe, secure, convenient and explain how to prepare for a visit. This information is available in both English and Spanish. Updated online verification service for improved experience in English, Spanish The IRS uses ID.me, a trusted technology provider, to provide identity verification for access to IRS online services. If an individual has an ID.me account from a state government or another federal agency, they can sign in without verifying their identity again. New users will have to create a new ID.me account. Additionally, individuals with an active IRS username may continue to log-in with their existing credentials. ID.me offers two options for verifying a taxpayer's identity to access IRS online services – a self-service process and a live video chat. Both the self-service and video chat registration options are available in English and Spanish, and ID.me offers 24/7 customer support for both English and Spanish speakers. For the self-service process, individuals need to provide a photo of an identity document, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. Users also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a computer with a webcam. All selfie and biometric data will be deleted automatically within 24 hours. Individuals can also choose to verify using a live video chat that does not require a selfie. This option allows users to select from an expanded list of identity documents to complete the identity verification process. For those who received a 5071C, 5071C/SP or 6331C letter, recent improvements have been made to IRS webpages to make completing the online identity verification process easier. Taxpayers going to Identity Verification Service will see the online registration/login page in Spanish. Users should use their web browser's translation function to view the remaining IRS pages in Spanish. Once taxpayers have signed up successfully with ID.me they need to continue to the IRS.gov site to complete the ID Verify section. During the TAC Saturday opening, taxpayers can receive in-person help with verifying their identity. Come prepared with paperwork To arrive prepared, individuals should bring the following information: Current government-issued photo identification. Social Security cards for members of their household, including spouse and dependents (if applicable). Any IRS letters or notices received and related supporting documents. Those who plan to request identity verification services must bring two forms of identification and a copy of the tax return filed for the year in question, if they filed a return. During the visit, IRS staff may also request the following information: A current mailing address. Bank account information to receive payments or refunds by Direct Deposit. It's mandatory for people to wear face masks and social distance at this event. The IRS.gov webpage, Contact your local office, lists all TAC services offered during the event and regular office hours. Many have used a Saturday visit to ask about IRS identity protection services, or to request Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), refunds and payment options. If assistance is not available from IRS employees specializing in specific services, individuals will receive a referral for them. Taxpayer Advocate Service employees may also be available to assist with issues that meet certain criteria. More information How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools Verifying for the Internal Revenue Service – ID.me Help Site Reconciling Your Advance Child Tax Credit Payments on Your 2021 Tax Return Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter Topic No. 651 Notices – What to Do Topic No. 654 Understanding Your CP75 or CP75A Notice Request for Supporting Documentation Publication 1915, Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN PDF Identity Theft Central
