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IRS Provides Penalty Relief to Millions of Taxpayers – Did You Know?

As part of ongoing COVID-19 tax relief efforts, the IRS is waiving penalties for many businesses and individuals who file their 2019 or 2020 tax returns late. Eligible taxpayers will not have to pay a late filing penalty in relation to returns for those two years. Those who have already filed their 2019 and/or 2020 returns and paid late filing penalties will receive a refund of the penalty.

This penalty waiver will be automatic for all eligible taxpayers. However, in order to receive penalty relief, taxpayers must file their 2019 and 2020 federal tax returns by September 30, 2022.

Note that this waiver generally applies only to penalties for late filing, and not to penalties assessed for late payment of tax or other reasons.

Newlyweds Have Special Tax Considerations – Did You Know?

If you get married in 2022, you may need to update your tax planning and report new information to the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA). In particular, newly married couples should:

- Report any name changes to the SSA and get a new Social Security Card (link below)
- Report any address changes to the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service
- Recheck their paycheck withholding and/or estimated tax payment amounts. Marriage can affect your tax rate, as well as your deductions and credits. You can use the IRS Withholding Calculator (link below) to make sure you are staying on track.

One of the biggest tax decisions you will need to make as a newly married couple is whether to file separate returns or file jointly. A tax professional can help you determine which status is most advantageous for you.

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
IRS Withholding Estimator: https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator

Summer Income Tax Reminder - Did You Know? (2/2)

Americans of all ages with summer income from self-employment may need to pay estimated tax on a quarterly basis in order to avoid IRS penalties. Alternatively, if you have self-employment earnings but also work as an employee, the IRS Withholding Estimator tool (link below) can help you determine the correct withholding amount to cover your income and self-employment tax responsibilities.

You may also qualify to reduce your tax by deducting business expenses. A tax professional can help you comply with record keeping requirements, and fully prepare for any tax implications of your summer endeavors.

IRS Withholding Estimator: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

$600 1099-K Threshold FAQs (3/3)

Here is an answer to one of the most common questions about the new over $600 1099-K rule.

Why have I never gotten 1099-K forms from payment processors before?

Prior to tax year 2022, the IRS only required third-party payment processors to file Form 1099-K for individuals and businesses that received over $20,000 in gross payments in a year. As a result of the dramatic lowering of this threshold, many people who have never received a 1099-K form will get one for 2022.

$600 1099-K Threshold FAQs (1/3)

Here is an answer to one of the most common questions about this new over $600 1099-K rule.

Do payments from friends and families (splitting a check, gifts, etc.) count toward the form 1099-K filing threshold?

No, only payments for goods and services count toward the $600 limit. If you receive a Form 1099-K from a payment processor that includes non-business payments like gifts or settling up with friends, contact the processor and ask for a corrected form before you file your tax return. To help prevent this issue, remind friends and family to check the “Sending money to friends and family” option when sending payments.

IRS Enhances “Where's My Refund” Tool – Did You Know?

The IRS has added a new feature to the “Where's My Refund?” tool, available online (link below) and in the IRS2Go mobile app. Previously, you could only use the tool to check your refund status for your most recently filed return, and only if that return covered one of the last two tax years. However, the tool can now provide information on refunds from any of the last three tax years (2019, 2020 and 2021).

To use the tool, you will need your filing status, taxpayer ID number (SSN or ITIN) and expected refund amount for that tax year.

IRS Where's My Refund? Tool: https://www.irs.gov/refunds

IRS Issues Answers to FAQ About 2021 Child Tax Credit (3/3)

Q: What happens if two different taxpayers claimed the CTC for the same qualifying child?

A: In some cases, a child meets all the IRS tests to be a qualifying child for multiple taxpayers. Generally, however, only one taxpayer may claim the child for the CTC. As a result, the IRS may reject a return because the taxpayer claimed the CTC for a child already listed on a return filed earlier by someone else. If this situation arises with your return, you will need to submit a paper return instead of filing electronically. You will then receive an IRS notice detailing next steps, so that IRS personnel can determine which taxpayer may actually claim the credit.