Final corrections for taxpayers who overpaid their taxes on unemployment compensation received in 2020 have been completed by the IRS. Approximately 14 million returns were corrected, resulting in nearly 12 million refunds totaling $14.8 billion.
Penalty Relief for Certain 2019 and 2020 Tax Returns
Penalty relief for struggling taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is now available to most people and businesses who file certain 2019 or 2020 returns late. Eligible income tax returns must be filed on or before September 30, 2022, to qualify for this relief. Furthermore, the nearly 1.6 million taxpayers who have already paid these penalties will automatically receive more than $1.2 billion in refunds or credits. Many of these payments will be completed by the end of September.
Special Tax Benefits for Members of the Military
Military personnel and their families face unique life challenges with their duties, expenses, and transitions. As such, military members may qualify for tax benefits not available to civilians. For example, they don’t have to pay taxes on some types of income. Special rules may lower the tax they owe or allow them more time to file and pay their federal taxes.
COVID-19: Significant Payroll and Self-Employment Tax Relief
If you are in business for yourself—say, as a corporation or self-employed—payroll taxes and self-employment taxes are likely two of your biggest tax burdens.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and businesses are suffering. Congress wants to help you individually and also keep small businesses afloat.
To do this, Congress decided that in addition to other measures, it should give you payroll tax and self-employment tax relief, as we describe in this article.
We’ll tell you how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will give you payroll and self-employment tax relief.
Q & A: The $10,200 Unemployment Tax Break
Generally, unemployment compensation received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or a state is considered taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. However, a new tax break — in effect only for the 2020 tax year — lets you exclude the first $10,200 from taxable income. Here’s what you should know: