In Alabama, the Department of Revenue has been getting ready to give one-time tax refunds to almost two million residents. Residents of the state may be eligible for tax refunds of up to $300 starting on December 1, 2023.
According to The Washington Examiner, a substantial state budget surplus allowed for the payments. There are a few prerequisites to meet in order to be qualified for the funds. The department suggested allowing sufficient time for payouts to appear in accounts and mailboxes.
Procedures for Qualification
First, Alabama residents who filed taxes in the 2021 tax year might be qualified.
As long as taxpayers file their 2021 taxes by October 17, 2022, they will be qualified. Those who did not file taxes in Alabama or who were claimed as dependents are the ineligible parties.
The Department of Revenue website states that payments will be made automatically to eligible taxpayers. The rebate will be given to people in the same way as their 2021 tax refund—by checks or direct deposit.
The amount of the payout will depend on the person’s filing status. A single applicant, the head of a household, or a married applicant filing separately will each receive $150. Couples who file jointly will receive $300.
The residents who need to update their addresses have just a few hours left.
The Department states that by December 29 at 5 p.m., addresses must be updated online through My Alabama Taxes. It’s still unclear how residents who miss this deadline will receive paper checks.
An increased quantity of direct payouts
- Alabama is not the only state that is giving money away because of its surplus; other states have also been able to do this.
- In addition, a $3 million fund is available to state residents for housing assistance.
- The funding comes from the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan, which helps communities improve their hazardous housing.
- Vermont has launched a new grant program that will give up to $50,000 toward the building of tiny homes.
The new accessory dwelling unit (ADUS) law in the state aims to increase housing availability in the area. The program’s objective is to give landowners financial support in exchange for their consent to add one more residential unit to their property. On the other hand, a lot of Alabaman communities encourage single-family homes and prohibit ADUS.
New Jersey residents may be eligible for payouts exceeding $1,000. Low-income families may benefit more from it as well.
Alert: Social Security Scam Warning: Fake Texts and Emails Cost Americans $64 Million Last Year, Agency Cautions
According to the agency, there were more than 568,000 reports of scam attempts involving Social Security last year, costing the victims over $63.6 million in losses.
This year, it has already received more than 31,000 complaints about scams involving Social Security.
Government officials speculate that many more incidents remain unreported because of embarrassment or shame.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Kilolo Kijakazi, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, claimed that con artists exploit fear to make victims act without thinking.
Fraudsters attempt to obtain sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number or bank account information, by a variety of means.
If you fail to pay a purported fee or fine, they might attempt to threaten you with arrest.
Fraudsters have also used fictitious identifying numbers, fake Social Security Administration letterhead, and photos of counterfeit government badges in their correspondence.
Gail Ennis, the Social Security Administration’s inspector general, declared, “The Social Security Administration will never tell someone to wire money, buy gift cards, or pay with cryptocurrency.” “You are aware that it is a scam if someone does ask you that.”
According to Ennis, 46 significant criminal investigations involving people or businesses involved in these schemes are currently being pursued by government authorities.
However, the methods used by scammers to deceive people are becoming more complex and sophisticated. For example, they may demand payment via cryptocurrency, Paypal, or Venmo in addition to prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or even store gift cards.
In addition to calling possible victims, they have also used encrypted messaging services like WeChat, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
What you should do if you suspect a suspicious call, email or text
Hang up if it is a call, and do not respond if it is a call, letter or email
Never disclose personal information such as Social Security number or bank details
Never use gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrencies or by mailing cash to make a payment
Report scams to oig.ssa.gov
Victims may sustain enormous losses; in one case, a 74-year-old man who had been threatened with arrest liquidated more than $500,000 in retirement savings.
Before it’s too late, the government has been able to retrieve some money.
After a victim reported it, officials were able to intercept a package earlier this year that contained $20,000 in cash and was headed to a fraudster.
