NPP lawmakers ask IRS for tax filing extension due to Child Tax Credit
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
The New Progressive Party (NPP) minority leader in the House of Representatives, Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, along with Rep. Juan Oscar Morales, asked the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to extend the filing date for returns in Puerto Rico until June 15 in order to process the historic number of returns expected with the entry into force of the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
The NPP legislators said they were endorsing a request made this weekend by the Certified Public Accountants Association of Puerto Rico.
“For the first time in the modern history of Puerto Rico, we expect a steep increase in the filing of income tax returns at the federal level due to the viability of the Child Tax Credit,” Méndez Nuñez said. “A few days ago, the Certified Public Accountants Association made their request to the IRS by letter; today we join that request and emphasize the importance of giving our people time to process this important assistance and more so now that we are coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.”
He announced that they will be signing a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig establishing the bases for the request.
“We understand that Treasury Secretary Francisco Parés is also evaluating requesting an extension from the IRS, since as of today the deadline is April 18,” Méndez Nuñez said.
“Treasury, before the blackout, extended its final date for filing returns to April 25. We hope that the IRS will do the same, taking into account the particular circumstances of Puerto Rico this year.”
Morales, the NPP spokesman in the House Finance Committee, agreed that “[t]his is a request based on a reality: the immense number of federal forms that are being processed.”
“Our public accountants have informed us that triple the number of federal returns are being filed due to the Child Tax Credit, a very important relief managed by the NPP administration and one that provides real relief to our people,” the San Juan District 3 legislator said.
To claim the CTC, the taxpayer must fill out the federal return and they currently have until April 18 to do so.