Following initial reports that the IRS was going to require seniors, others to file tax returns in order to receive the direct cash assistance for COVID-19, Ernst and her colleagues wrote a letter telling feds to use authority Congress gave them and qualify seniors automatically.
RED OAK, Iowa – Included in the Phase 3 relief package, Congress gave the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the authority to waive a tax filing requirement for seniors and others who normally do not file taxes in order for them to receive the direct cash assistance. Early this week, it was reported that the IRS would require these folks to file taxes creating confusion among seniors in Iowa and across the country on whether or not they would get access to the direct cash assistance.
Senator Joni Ernst, and 21 of her colleagues, yesterday penned a letter to the IRS and U.S. Department of Treasury calling on the agencies to automatically qualify seniors for the cash payments. Last night, Treasury clarified that Social Security retirement and disability recipients will not need to file an abbreviated tax return, but the cash payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts.
“In this time of crisis, there’s already so much uncertainty, that’s why it’s vital we communicate clearly to Iowans, and all Americans, about the assistance they will be receiving as a result of the bipartisan relief packages we’ve delivered. I’m glad the IRS and Treasury Department did the right thing, followed through on what we asked, and most importantly automatically qualify our seniors for the direct cash payments,” said Senator Ernst, member of the Senate Small Business Committee.
Senator Ernst has been fighting for Iowa’s seniors throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, including calling for bipartisan action to crackdown on scammers who are targeting Iowa seniors. She also helped secure a number of important relief measures for seniors in the three bipartisan packages Congress passed and that are now law, including:
In addition, Ernst held a telephone town hall last week and heard from many of Iowa’s seniors. Ernst was joined on the call by the state director of AARP Iowa, Brad Anderson, and the dean of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, Dr. Brooks Jackson.
Background on Ernst’s efforts to combat COVID-19:
Senator Ernst has fought to deliver relief to all Iowans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of her efforts:
For additional information for Iowans on COVID-19, you can visit Senator Ernst’s website, which includes resources for families and individuals, small businesses, and seniors.
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