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Important reminders before filing 2020 tax returns

Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

WASHINGTON — Following an unpredictable year with many changes and challenges, the Internal Revenue Service today shared important reminders
for taxpayers who are about to file their 2020 federal tax returns.

Choose direct deposit

The safest, most accurate and fastest way to get a refund is to electronically file and choose direct deposit. Direct deposit means any tax refund
is electronically deposited for free into a taxpayer’s financial account.

Eight out of 10 taxpayers get their refunds by using direct deposit. It is simple, safe and secure. This is the same electronic transfer system used
to deposit nearly 98% of all Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits into millions of accounts.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can give qualifying workers with low-to-moderate income a substantial financial boost. EITC not only reduces the amount of tax someone owes but
may give them a refund even if they don’t owe any taxes or aren’t required to file a return.

People must meet certain requirements and file a federal
tax return in order to receive this credit. The EITC assistant on IRS.gov can help people determine if they qualify.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that they may elect to use their 2019 earned income to figure the EITC if their 2019 earned income is more than their 2020
earned income. For details, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. Taxpayers
also have the option of using their 2019 income to figure the Additional Child Tax Credit for 2020.

Taxable unemployment compensation

Millions of Americans received unemployment compensation in 2020, many of them for the first time. This compensation is taxable and must be included
as gross income on their tax return.

Taxpayers can elect to have federal taxes withheld from their unemployment benefits or make estimated tax payments, but many do not take these options.
In that case, taxes on those benefits will be paid when the 2020 tax return is filed. Taxes can be paid throughout the year. For safe and secure
ways to pay taxes electronically go to IRS.gov/payments.

Taxpayers can find more details on taxable unemployment compensation in Tax Topic 418, Unemployment Compensation,
or in Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, on IRS.gov.

Interest is taxable income

Many individual taxpayers who received a refund on their 2019 tax returns also received interest from the IRS. The interest payments were largely the
result of the postponed filing deadline of July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019 refund interest payments are taxable, and taxpayers must report the interest on their 2020 federal income tax return.

The IRS will send a Form 1099-INT to anyone who receives interest totaling at least
$10. The average refund interest amount is $18, but the amount for each taxpayer varies based on the tax refund that the taxpayer received. Form
1099-INT will be issued no later than February 1, 2021.

Home office deduction

The home office deduction is available to qualifying self-employed taxpayers, independent contractors and those working in the gig economy.

However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspended the business-use-of-home deduction from 2018 through 2025 for employees. Employees who receive a paycheck
or a W-2 exclusively from an employer are not eligible for the deduction, even if they are currently working from home. IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home,
provides more on the home office deduction.

Workers moving into the gig economy

Many people found different employment in 2020, including jobs in the gig economy. Taxpayers must report income earned in the gig economy on their
tax return. However, gig-economy workers generally do not have taxes withheld from their pay as salaried workers normally do. The IRS encourages
people earning income in the gig economy to consider making quarterly estimated
tax payments to stay current with their federal tax obligations.

Charitable donation deduction for people who don’t itemize

Individuals who take the standard deduction generally cannot claim a deduction for their charitable contributions. However, the CARES Act permits these individuals to claim a limited deduction on their 2020 federal income tax returns for cash contributions made to certain qualifying charitable organizations and still claim the standard
deduction. Nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction and could potentially qualify.

Before making a donation, the IRS reminds people they can check the special Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool on IRS.gov to make sure the organization is eligible for tax-deductible donations.

Under this change, individuals can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made to qualifying charities during 2020. This deduction
does not apply to donated property. The maximum deduction is $150 for married individuals filing separate returns. More information is available
in Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, on IRS.gov.

Disasters such as wildfires, flooding or hurricanes

Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area.
Some 2020 tax deadlines in certain counties have been extended into 2021 due to recent wildfires, hurricanes or flooding.

 

Advocates of Love Charity

When you signup with Alliance Tax Solutions, a portion of our proceeds go to support this amazing organization

Advocates of Love is the only children’s home to help orphan and vulnerable children in the Samana Province, Dominican Republic. Founded by Mike Clark in 2013, this charity has provided care and eduction for children in one of the most povery stricken areas.

Click Here To Learn More

 

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