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Small Businesses (updated 1/23/2021)
- In need of an Emergency Loan for your Small Business? Click HERE
- Unsure what to do as a small business owner? Click HERE
Economic Impact Payments - 2nd Round (updated 1/23/2021)
- Eligible Americans will receive up to $600 in payments for individual tax filers; $1,200 for married joint filers
- This is a breakdown of qualifiers to receive these payments:
- Tax filers with adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment
- For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by 5% for each $100 above the $75,000-$87,000 / $150,000-$174,000 thresholds
- Single filers with income exceeding $87,000 and $174,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible
- Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 will automatically receive a payment. Parents also receive $600 for each qualifying child
- Please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website HERE
Unemployment (updated 1/23/2021)
- Check out North Carolina's Division of Employment Security (DES) website HERE
Taxes (updated 1/23/2021)
- Federal: Important filing dates are listed below. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for more information.
- January 15, 2021. IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
- January 29, 2021. Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
- February 12, 2021. IRS begins 2021 tax season. Individual tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.
- February 22., 2021 Projected date for the IRS.gov Where's My Refund tool being updated for those claiming EITC and ACTC, also referred to as PATH Act returns.
- First week of March. Tax refunds begin reaching those claiming EITC and ACTC (PATH Act returns) for those who file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns.
- April 15, 2021. Deadline for filing 2020 tax returns.
- October 15, 2021. Deadline to file for those requesting an extension on their 2020 tax returns
- State: Tax day will follow IRS guidelines and set the dead line for April 15th.
- Visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue website for more information
Healthcare
- If you don't have health insurance and need medical care, call your nearest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or local health department. Free and charitable clinics may also be able to provide assistance
- Medicaid
- North Carolinians can apply for Medicaid on the NCDHHS Medicaid Website or by phone at 888-245-0179; Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM. Medicaid recipients in North Carolina will also have expanded access to remote and virtual health services
- Medicare
- Medicare recipients may be eligible for telehealth services such as virtual visits from the comfort of their own home. For more information, contact your medical provider or visit your Medicare account
Food Assistance
- You can search the Food Bank NC database to find resources near you. No Kid Hungry North Carolina also compiled a statewide list of meals for kids in all counties. More information is available on their website. Text FOODNC (for Spanish services text COMIDA) to 877-877 to find the pick-up and drive-through locations closest to you
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Individuals and households that need food assistance may be eligible for SNAP with more information at the NCDHHS SNAP website. For individuals that currently utilize SNAP and those who are new to apply, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act expanded eligibility to unemployed individuals and waived time limits
- State and local organizations interested in supplementing their food assistance programs may apply for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at no cost. Interested parties may contact the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Director of Food Distribution, Gary Gay, at Gary.Gay@ncagr.gov
Student Loans (updated 1/23/2021)
- From March 13, 2020, and extended through Sept. 30, 2021, the interest rate is 0% on the following types of federal student loans owned by the Department of Education:
- Defaulted and nondefaulted Direct Loans
- Defaulted and nondefaulted FFEL Program loans
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Federal student loan borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment. This suspension of payments will last until Sept. 30, 2021
- If you are on Income-Drive Repayment (IDR), suspended payments will still count toward IDR forgiveness
- Additionally, suspended payments will count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- If you have a Direct Loan, were on a qualifying repayment plan prior to the suspension, and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the suspension, then you will receive credit toward PSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments
If you do not know who your servicer is or how to contact them, visit StudentAid.gov or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243; TTY for the deaf or hearing-impaired 1-800-730-8913) for assistance. More information is available at the Student Aid website. The income tax on employer-driven student loan repayment assistance has also been eliminated
COVID-19 Scams
- Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-19. Click HERE to educate and protect yourself from scams. Our senior community is particularly at risk for scam calls and emails
- For North Carolina-specific information, see the Attorney General's office website.
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