Mass. taxpayers face critical deadline this month for relief checks

A key deadline is fast approaching for Massachusetts taxpayers.

Bay Staters must file their 2021 personal income tax returns by Oct. 17 if they did not meet the initial deadline last April.

“Reminder: It’s an extension of time to file, not to pay,” state officials wrote in a recent blog post. “Interest will be charged on any amount due with a return, even if you have a valid extension. With an extension, returns must be filed on or before October 17, 2022.”

People who hit this mid-October extension date are also eligible to receiving pending tax refunds — which can amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on an individual’s personal state income tax liability — triggered by a state law known as Chapter 62F. That statute continues to scramble talks of other tax relief, plus millions of dollars in economic development investments, on Beacon Hill.

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State officials have urged residents to use e-filing options to ensure quicker processing times and fewer errors on their tax returns. There are multiple free software options on this state webpage for eligible residents, including 1040Now for those earning $32,000 or less and FreeTaxUSA for those making $41,000 or less

MassTaxConnect is the “fastest” option for residents who owe payments with their tax returns, officials say. State guidelines for accessing the platform are available here.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund through this tool. Users will be prompted to provide information about their Social Security number, as well as the refund year and refund amount.

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Bay Staters will need to wait about four to six weeks to receive their refund, if they e-filed their tax return and requested a direct deposit, officials say. Those who filed on paper will need to wait about eight to 10 weeks for their refund.

There are few eligibility parameters stipulating the delivery of tax refunds under Chapter 62F, aside from meeting the Oct. 17 tax filing extension deadline.

• Read more: A $9 rebate? Low-income Mass. residents won’t see much from tax credit

The Baker administration anticipates Bay Staters will receive a return equating to about 13% of their personal state income tax liability. No action is needed for households to secure the tax credit, which is required under state law amid ballooning surplus revenues.

Residents can calculate their expected refund by visiting this state government webpage.