As of this month, the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing for two years. During this time, the government has tried various methods to boost the economy and provide relief for people in need. One of the biggest groups in need were working parents who had to find child care services when schools were closed. Some of these parents even had to leave their jobs to take care of their children. This past July, newly expanded tax credits went into effect to provide relief for these families, but it has inadvertently backfired on divorced or separated families. Whichever parent claimed the children on their taxes for 2020 would have started receiving money from the government automatically. By the end of the year, this amount would have reached $1,800. But some divorced or separated parents have a court order that states the parents claim the child on their taxes in alternating years. For these parents, this tax credit can actually create quite a dilemma. Understanding the Child Tax Credit for a Divorced Parent
received the full $1,800 in the form of an extended tax credit. Now, if the dad is filing in 2021 and planning to claim the kids as dependents, he will receive an extended child tax credit, but at the same time, the mom would have to pay back the $1,800 she received last year. This can create huge problems for everyone involved. This happens because the extended child tax credit was technically for 2021, so if you aren’t claiming the children on your 2021 taxes, you will have to return the money. If you are claiming the child again or claiming another child, you will not have to pay the money back. Not everyone has $1,800 lying around, and there’s a good chance the person receiving it may have already spent it buying essentials for themselves and their children. For this reason, payment plans are available so people can fit the repayment plan into their budgets. It’s not an ideal system, but it’s something you need to be aware of if you are a divorced or separated parent.
For example, let’s say the mom claimed the child as her dependent when she filed taxes in 2020. She would have
SUDOKU
EASYMARCH MADNESSCHILI
Inspired by MyRecipes.com
Cheer on your favorite team and chow down in minutes with this easy chili recipe!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 lbs ground beef • 2 tbsp chili powder • 1 tbsp Creole seasoning • 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 16-oz cans diced tomatoes • 2 16-oz cans small red beans • 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
DIRECTIONS
1. In a deep pot, brown the beef, stirring often. 2. Once beef is cooked, add chili powder, Creole seasoning, and cumin, cooking for 1 minute. 3. Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, and tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. After the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and let chili simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Serve with toppings of choice, like cheese, sour cream, or chives.
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