The Daily Money 1-13-21

Good morning, Daily Money readers. It's Wednesday! Josh Rivera here again to bring you the latest money headlines.

At the risk of sounding redundant, let's talk money – taxes, specifically.

The most recent COVID-19 economic relief package created a special break for obtaining the earned income tax credit after the mess that was 2020.

"But the deal isn't automatic. Tax filers and the people who help them with their taxes now must be aware of the new option and take time to review 2019 earnings, as well as earnings in 2020, to calculate the credit," says USA TODAY Network columinist Susan Tompor. "And they cannot simply assume that they won't qualify for earned income tax credit."

In short, even if you think you won't get a return, file your taxes.

Speaking of the relief bill, it also included $25 billion worth of rental assistance. Those funds will be available on Jan. 20 and applicants' 2020 income can't exceed 80% of their area's median income to qualify. Maurie Backman here on what you need to know about rental assistance.

Finally, not everyone can afford to put aside hundreds or thousands of dollars a month to fund a retirement plan, but there are ways to invest if you don't have a lot of money. Think fractional shares, index funds and dividend stocks.

(Before I you go, the CDC said it will require airline passengers to show proof of a negative COVID test or recovery from COVID before boarding an international flight to the U.S., effective Jan. 26. Here's what you need to know.)

— Josh Rivera, Money & Tech editor