The money could transform their lives. But thousands of eligible kids may not get the new child tax credit
Originally posted on the Boston Globe.
Local groups are working hard to make the process easier. At their urging, the IRS recently introduced a ”non-filers portal” where people who do not file taxes can register to receive the credit. Even that “could really be simplified,” said Allison Bovell-Ammon, director of policy strategy at BMC’s Children’s HealthWatch. Her organization and others including the Mass Law Reform Institute created a “Find Your Funds” website for residents to learn more about how they can access the credit.
Yet obstacles remain. Many poor families don’t have access to computers and will have to fill out the forms on their smartphones. The website is not mobile-friendly and it is currently available only in English, though the IRS promises a future Spanish version.