January 14, 2022
Let’s talk about Covid19 at-home tests.
There are two programs you need to be aware of. One starts next week and the other starts tomorrow.
Let’s start with the one that begins next week.
Starting January 19th you will be able to request an at-home test be sent to your house for free – from the federal government.
How?
Through the website covidtest.gov. If you go there now – you won’t be able to do anything. The website starts accepting orders on Wednesday.
But once it’s open for business – you will be able to log on – request a test and it’ll be shipped within seven to 12 days. Initially there will be a limit of four tests per residential address. You will not have to enter any credit card information nor will there be any shipping costs. And for those who want a test but can’t order online –the white house also says it’s working on setting up a hotline number.
This is in addition to the other program that begins tomorrow. I gave you all the details in this video. Starting on Saturday January 15 – the costs of your at-home Covid19 tests can be fully covered through your private or group health insurance or depending on your insurance program, you may be able to pick up a test a participating pharmacy for free.
Read the announcement from the White House here.
PLUS
A few days ago I told you about the 2021 tax filing season beginning in just a few weeks. But so many of you said your 2020 tax return still hasn’t been processed and you’re still waiting on your refund.
So, what going on?
First, understand you are not alone. The IRS processed more than 169 million returns in 2021, but admits there are still millions of unprocessed 2020 individual tax returns from last year. That said – if you submitted an electronic or paper return that had no errors and didn’t need further review, before April of 2021, the IRS says those returns have all been processed. So, chances are, if you’re still missing your 2020 tax return and submitted it prior to April, there are errors on it or it was flagged for further review.
If you’re still missing your 2020 refund, what should you do about the 2021 return?
The IRS says you should just file your 2021 return when you’re ready. They say you don’t need your 2020 return to be fully processed before you file 2021.
As for the timing for getting that 2020 return processed?
The bottom line is there’s no official timeframe. The Treasury Department admits, though the IRS goal is a 21 day turn around between filing and refund received, with the significant staffing shortage and budget cuts at the IRS, this may be another “frustrating year” for taxpayers. That’s why I told you in this video – make sure your return is 100% accurate. If it’s incorrect or missing information, that’s the easiest way for it to get flagged and held.
