Maine $850 relief check: Answers to frequent questions

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The state has created a web site to assist Mainers gather their $850 aid checks included in a $1.2 billion supplemental funds signed by the governor final week.

The web site goals to reply generally requested questions surrounding eligibility, timing of checks and submitting taxes.

“We wish to ensure that each eligible individual is ready to obtain this help, and we’re hopeful that this web site may help accomplish that by answering a few of the most typical questions Maine individuals might have,” Gov. Janet Mills stated in an announcement.

The cash includes greater than half of the $1.2 billion funds. Mills proposed returning a lot of the cash to Mainers as a historic surplus ballooned due to federal spending and rosier-than-expected income forecasts.

The checks will likely be mailed to greater than 850,000 people, however submitting an earnings tax return is a prerequisite. The state is giving late-filers till Oct. 31 to submit their tax returns.

Revenue limits for the funds are $100,000 for a person or married submitting individually; as much as $150,000 for head of family; and $200,000 for {couples} submitting collectively.

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The primary spherical of checks will exit in June, and extra checks will roll out via the tip of the 12 months.

Who’s eligible for $850? 

An estimated 858,000 Maine individuals will obtain these funds.

To be eligible, people should file a 2021 Maine particular person earnings tax return by October 31, 2022 as a full-time Maine resident.

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These eligible should not be claimed as a dependent, and will need to have a federal adjusted gross earnings (FAGI) of lower than:

– $100,000 if submitting single or if married and submitting individually;

– $150,000 if submitting as head of family; 

– $200,000 for {couples} submitting collectively.

Can I nonetheless declare $850 if I did not information taxes?

Sure. Although the 2021 Maine particular person earnings tax submitting deadline has handed, individuals will nonetheless be capable of file via October 31, 2022, to say their $850 aid checks.

For help in figuring out free tax assist, Maine taxpayers might go to www.cashmaine.org, name 2-1-1, or go to 211maine.org.

Will retirees be eligible for the $850? 

The $850 aid funds can be found to retirees, and/or to those that obtain social safety and/or supplemental safety earnings (SSI), as long as they meet the opposite eligibility standards.

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When will I obtain my $850? 

So as to get these funds into Mainers’ arms as shortly as potential, the primary spherical of aid checks will likely be mailed in June 2022 – and will likely be delivered on a rolling foundation via the tip of the 12 months as returns are acquired.

Eligibility for the $850 Aid Cost relies upon the 2021 Maine particular person earnings tax return. Maine residents have till October 31, 2022 to file their Maine particular person earnings tax return.

How will I obtain my $850?

Aid checks will likely be mailed by way of U.S. Postal Service to the deal with supplied in your 2021 Maine particular person earnings tax return, and will likely be redirected to any forwarding addresses filed with the U.S. Postal Service.

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For extra details about updating mailing addresses and/or misplaced or stolen funds, contact Maine Income Providers at (207) 624-9924.

What different aid is out there? 

The Mills Administration is encouraging Maine individuals to fastidiously look at their eligibility for as much as $1,400 in extra tax aid obtainable per individual this submitting season, due to legal guidelines already enacted particularly aimed toward supporting low- and middle-income Maine households. Be taught extra concerning the Homestead Exemption Program, and think about claiming the State Property Tax Equity Credit score, the Maine Earned Revenue Tax Credit score, and the Gross sales Tax Equity Credit score.