IRS to Handle Unemployment Returns.

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Returns filed with unemployment benefits prior to the $10,200 exclusion should not be amended. The IRS has indicated it will refigure taxes on these returns and adjust the taxpayer’s account accordingly. The IRS will then send any refund amount directly to the taxpayer.

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IRS to Extend Filing Season

The IRS has announced that it will extend the filing season until Monday, May 17, 2021. This one-month extension is for filing and payment.

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

“This continues to be a tough time for many people, and the IRS wants to continue to do everything possible to help taxpayers navigate the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic, while also working on important tax administration responsibilities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Even with the new deadline, we urge taxpayers to consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds, and it can help some taxpayers more quickly receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to.”

Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties, interest and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.

Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request a filing extension until Oct. 15 by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Filing Form 4868 gives taxpayers until October 15 to file their 2020 tax return but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due. Taxpayers should pay their federal income tax due by May 17, 2021, to avoid interest and penalties.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds associated with e-filed returns are issued within 21 days.

This relief does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15. Taxes must be paid as taxpayers earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments. In general, estimated tax payments are made quarterly to the IRS by people whose income isn’t subject to income tax withholding, including self-employment income, interest, dividends, alimony or rental income. Most taxpayers automatically have their taxes withheld from their paychecks and submitted to the IRS by their employer.

State tax returns

The federal tax filing deadline postponement to May 17, 2021, only applies to individual federal income returns and tax (including tax on self-employment income) payments otherwise due April 15, 2021, not state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax. Taxpayers also will need to file income tax returns in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. State filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details.

Winter storm disaster relief for Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas

Earlier this year, following the disaster declarations issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the IRS announced relief for victims of the February winter storms in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. These states have until June 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. This extension to May 17 does not affect the June deadline.

For more information about this disaster relief, visit the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

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Economic Impact Payment Status Available

Find when and how we sent your 2021 Economic Impact Payment with the Get My Payment tool.

Get My Payment

Find help with this tool with Frequently Asked Questions.

Get My Payment updates once per day, usually overnight. Do not call the IRS. Our phone assistors don’t have information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov.

Previous payment information is no longer available in Get My Payment. See First and Second Payment Status.

When We’ll Send Your 2021 Payment

The first batch of payments will be sent by direct deposit, which some recipients started receiving as early as March 12.

Additional batches of payments will be sent in the coming weeks by direct deposit and through the mail as a check or debit card.

Status Messages

You’ll see one of these messages when you use Get My Payment:

Payment Status: 

  • A payment has been processed, a payment date is available and payment is to be sent either by direct deposit or mail. Note: mail means you may be issued an EIP Card or a check.

or

  • You’re eligible, but a payment has not been processed and a payment date is not yet available.

It will not show the amount of your 2021 Economic Impact Payment.

Payment Status Not Available: We haven’t yet processed your payment or you’re not eligible for a payment.

Need More Information: Your payment was returned to the IRS because the Postal Service was unable to deliver it. Only people who get this message can use the tool to give us bank account information.

Get help with this tool in Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions.

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Unemployment Compensation – New Exclusion

Please stay tuned for information about the Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) — the IRS’s first priority was the Unemployment Exclusion change and we expect more information on the APTC in the near future.

The IRS has advised that you should not yet amend returns that had Unemployment Compensation or Repayment of the Advance Premium Tax Credit. Official IRS guidance is forthcoming.

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Third Stimulus Payment Update

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was signed into law on March 11, includes a third round of stimulus payments. The IRS will begin the process of depositing payments into accounts immediately, with the first wave of direct deposits hitting accounts early next week.

It is our understanding the IRS will use direct deposit (DD) information from 2020 and 2019 tax returns, with 2020 taking precedent if available. If DD info is not present on tax returns, the IRS will likely use DD info entered by the taxpayer into the Get My Payment (GMP) tool. If no DD info is available, the taxpayer will receive a check or debit card.

The GMP tool will not be updated with EIP3 data before Monday, March 15. Also, we don’t believe the IRS will be collecting any additional DD info through the GMP tool for EIP3.

Payments received in this third round of stimulus do not impact 2020 tax returns.

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Unemployment and Premium Tax Credit – ARP Act

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 makes a portion of unemployment compensation non-taxable for certain filers and eliminates repayment of excess funds received through the Advance Premium Tax Credit.

We ask for your patience while we work closely with the IRS and state taxing authorities to implement any necessary changes.

We know many of you are holding 2020 returns that have unemployment benefits or the Advance Premium Tax Credit. We expect the IRS to issue official guidance on these items in the near future.

For returns that have been filed with these items, we advise that you hold off on filing amended returns until the IRS provides official guidance.

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March 15 Deadline – Partnerships and S Corps

The deadline for filing calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns is March 15, 2021. These returns must be filed (e-filed or postmarked) by midnight (local time) on March 15, 2021. Fiscal-year returns will be due the 15th day of the 3rd month following the year-end.   

Both partnership and S corporation returns are allowed a six-month extension. Payment must accompany the return or extension if there are taxes due. An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay taxes.

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PREPARING FOR TAX DAY

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Read more
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IRS Tax Return Filing Deadlines, Extensions and Refund Dates 2021

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The table below shows key 2021 deadline dates for filing 2020 tax returns and requesting temporary extensions. Given the number of missing government payments around the COVID relief economic stimulus payments and especially the dependent child stimulus payment, I expect there to a keen interest in the upcoming tax season. Especially for those expecting a large refund (see expected 2020-2021 tax refund schedule).

  • Jan. 11, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in December 2020 to report this income to their employers on Form 4070
  • Jan. 15, 2021: Deadline to pay the fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for tax year 2020
  • Feb. 1, 2021: Deadline for employers to mail out W-2 Forms to their employees and for businesses to furnish 1099 Forms reporting non-employee compensation, bank interest, dividends, and distributions from a retirement plan
  • Feb. 1, 2021: Deadline for financial institutions to mail out Form 1099-B relating to sales of stock, bonds, or mutual funds through a brokerage account, Form 1099-S relating to real estate transactions; and Form 1099-MISC, if the sender is reporting payments in boxes 8 or 14
  • Feb. 1, 2021: Deadline for catching up on unpaid fourth-quarter estimated taxes without additional penalties by filing 2020 tax returns
  • Feb. 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in January 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • March 1, 2021: Deadline for businesses to mail Forms 1099 and 1096 to the IRS
  • March 2, 2021: Deadline for farmers and fishermen to file individual income tax returns
  • March 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in February 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • March 15, 2021: Deadline for corporate tax returns (Form 1120-S) for tax year 2020, or to request an automatic six-month extension of time to file (Form 7004) for corporations that use the calendar year as their tax year, and for filing partnership tax returns (Form 1065) or to request an automatic five-month extension of time to file (Form 7004)
  • March 31, 2021: Deadline for businesses to e-file Forms 1099 and 1096 to the IRS, except Form 1099-NEC
  • April 12, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in March 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • April 15, 2021: Deadline to file individual tax returns (Form 1040) and C Corporation (Form 1120) for the tax year 2020 or to request an automatic extension (Form 4868) for an extra six months to file your return, and for payment of any tax due
  • April 15, 2021: Deadline for household employers who paid $2,200 or more in wages in 2020 to file Schedule H for Form 1040
  • April 15, 2021: Deadline for first-quarter estimated tax payments for the 2021 tax year
  • May 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in April 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • June 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in May 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • June 15, 2021: Deadline for second-quarter estimated tax payments for the 2021 tax year
  • June 15, 2021: Deadline for U.S. citizens living abroad to file individual tax returns or file Form 4868 for an automatic four-month extension
  • July 12, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in June 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • Aug. 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in July 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • Sept. 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in August 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • Sept. 15, 2021: Deadline for third-quarter estimated tax payments for the 2021 tax year
  • Sept. 15, 2021: Final deadline to file corporate tax returns for tax year 2020, if an extension was requested (Forms 1120, 1120-A, 1120-S)
  • Oct. 12, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in September 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • Oct. 15, 2021: Final extended deadline to file individual tax returns for the year 2020 (Form 1040)
  • Oct. 15, 2021: Deadline for taxpayers who earned $69,000 or less in adjusted gross income (AGI) for tax year 2020 to use Free File to prepare and file their returns
  • Nov. 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in October 2021 to report this income to their employers
  • Dec. 10, 2021: Deadline for employees who earned more than $20 in tip income in November 2021 to report this income to their employers
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When You’ll Get Your Stimulus Check

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Want to know when your stimulus check will arrive?

Here’s what you need to know.

Stimulus Checks

For many Americans, stimulus checks will arrive soon. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said most Americans will receive their stimulus check by April 17. Director of the U.S. National Economic Council Larry Kudlow said checks will start going out this week or next. According to The Washington Post, which has reviewed a timetable from the IRS, stimulus checks could be distributed as follows (of course, these dates are subject to change):

April 9, 2020

Stimulus checks could be sent to some taxpayers as early as Thursday, April 9. If you filed your income taxes in 2018 or 2019 and provided your direct deposit information to the IRS, your stimulus check could be sent today. Estimated arrival time in your bank account could be on or before April 14, 2020.

April 24, 2020

The IRS will begin sending paper stimulus checks. The plan is to send paper stimulus checks to taxpayers with the lowest adjusted gross income first. Therefore, taxpayers who earned less than $10,000 will receive a paper check first.

May 1, 2020

This week, the IRS will send paper stimulus checks to taxpayers who earned between $10,001 and $20,000.

May 8, 2020

This week, the IRS will send paper stimulus checks to taxpayers who earned between $20,001 and $30,000.

May – September 2020

From May through September, the IRS will continue to send paper checks in order from lowest income to highest income based on 2018 or 2019 tax information.

September 4, 2020

The IRS will mail any remaining checks, such as to married couples making $198,000 (the maximum joint income that is eligible to receive a stimulus check).

September 11, 2020

The IRS will send checks to those who didn’t provide contact information to the IRS.

Can You Get Your Stimulus Check Sooner?

You may be able to get your stimulus check sooner (although no guarantees of course):

  • Check if you qualify to receive a stimulus check.
  • Direct Deposit Information: If you provided direct deposit information on your 2018 or 2019 income tax return, then the IRS already has your direct deposit information. How do you know if you provided your direct deposit information? If you paid federal income taxes online from your bank account or received a federal tax refund in your bank account, then you likely provided direct deposit information.
  • File Taxes: If you haven’t filed 2018 or 2019 income taxes, you can still file them. Make sure to provide direct deposit deposit information to get your stimulus check faster.
  • No Taxes, But Social Security: If you don’t file taxes, but you receive Social Security benefits, you don’t have to file any taxes to qualify. You’ll automatically receive a stimulus check.
  • New IRS Portal: In late April or early May, according to the memo, the IRS expects to create an online portal that will enable taxpayers to update their direct deposit information and check the status of their stimulus check. For those who don’t file taxes, but who receive Social Security benefits, you can also update your direct deposit information once the online portal is available.
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