CAAB

Investing in People, Strengthening Communities

Be Prepared for Tax Refund Delays in 2019

 
By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

Be Prepared for Tax Refund Delays in 2019

What You Need to Know

According to the IRS, some refunds cannot be issued before mid-February 2019.

  • By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). 

  • This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits. 

While the IRS will process your return when it is received, it cannot issue related refunds before mid-February 2019.

The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting in late February 2019, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return. 

What You Need to Do

  • Be careful not to count on getting a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying other financial obligations.

  • File a complete and accurate return and include all known refundable credits with your original return.

  • File when you’re ready. If you usually file early in the year and you’re ready to file a complete and accurate return, there is no need to wait to file.

 

About the DC EITC Campaign 

The CAAB-managed DC EITC Campaign, is a citywide, cross-sector initiative that provides access to information on the EITC and connects Washingtonians with free tax preparation services throughout the District.

The DC EITC Campaign is made possible through the support from the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), Washington Gas, Citi Community Development, United Way of the National Capital Area as well as other key private sector partners. 

DC EITC Campaign Partners

Community Tax Aid
www.communitytaxaiddc.org/

Community Tax Aid (CTA) was founded in 1987 with a mission to provide high-quality free income tax services to low-income taxpayers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. CTA's primary goal is to promote economic stability through accurate and timely filing of tax returns and secondarily to connect taxpayers to other asset building opportunities.  Our services are critical to the financial well-being of low-income families and their ability to build wealth.  The tax return is required in order to obtain tax refunds and key credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and other asset-building opportunities, such as qualifying for academic financial aid/or obtaining a mortgage or a small business loan.  Annually, we help over 6,000 low-income taxpayers overcome barriers created by the cost and complexity of tax compliance so they can build their financial futures.

About Capital Area Asset Builders

Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower low- and moderate-income residents of the Greater DC Area to take control of their finances, increase their savings, and build wealth for a better future.

Connect with CAAB via our social media platforms:

 

How to give

Now, more than ever, non-profits like Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) need your help. Please support CAAB as we continue to help DC residents manage and/or improve their financial situation during these difficult times. If you can't afford to give a monetary gift, please visit our Amazon Wish List where you can choose from a variety of items that CAAB needs in order to better serve our community.

or send a check or money order to
Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB)
c/o Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, CEO & Executive Director
1100 15th St, NW, 4th Floor 
Washington, DC 20005