Extended tax breaks for businesses

Congress’ recent move to retroactively make a portion of 2020 unemployment income tax-free is creating havoc during this year’s tax filing season. Here is what you need to know.

Background

Unemployment compensation was received by millions of Americans during 2020 because of the pandemic. While unemployment income was necessary for many who lost a job, it’s also normally classified as taxable income to be reported on your tax return. Recently-passed legislation now makes the first $10,200 ($20,400 for married filing joint tax returns) of 2020 unemployment compensation tax-free. This tax-free unemployment income is available for those with adjusted gross income under $150,000.

The problem

The new legislation which contains this tax break didn’t become law until March of 2021, a full three months after the end of the tax year and after millions of Americans had already filed their 2020 tax return!

Understanding your situation

• If you’ve already filed your 2020 tax return: The IRS recently announced it is going to automatically process refunds for unemployment earnings that should not be taxed beginning in May. It will start with unmarried tax returns and finish with married filing joint tax returns that qualify to exclude unemployment income. This will avoid the need to file an amended tax return for most taxpayers unless the reduced income allows you to qualify for other tax benefits like the earned income tax credit. So there is no need for most taxpayers to file an amended tax return.
• If you HAVE NOT filed your 2020 tax return: The IRS now has guidance on how to report this tax break on your 2020 tax return if you have not already filed.
• Tax deadline moved to May 17. Because of all this havoc, the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns is now May 17. This extension applies only to Form 1040s. First quarter estimated tax payments for the 2021 tax year are still due by April 15.

Be assured you will be informed once the IRS issues further instruction on how to claim your tax break. In the meantime, enjoy the extra tax savings you’ll get sometime in the near future!

Child tax credit (CTC)

Child and dependent care credit (DCC)

If you and your spouse work and have children in daycare, or have an adult that you care for, you may be eligible for a larger tax credit in 2021.

Earned income tax credit

Stimulus checks

Action to take

• Look for updates on the advance payments for the child tax credit. The IRS is sorting out how to get half of your child tax credit to you in 2021. Stay tuned for updates as to whether the payments will begin in July or if they will be delayed. You may also opt out of this early payment, but will need to wait for instructions on how to do so.
• Consider increasing dependent care expenses. Look ahead to the rest of 2021 and consider if you should increase your dependent care expenses to take advantage of the significant increase in this credit. If you increase your dependent care expenses in 2021, remember you won’t be able to include the same amount of expenses when calculating your credit in 2022, as this tax credit increase is currently for 2021 only.
• Conduct a tax forecast. With the dramatic increase in these credits, you may want to estimate next year’s tax bill. It may make sense to adjust your withholdings to account for a lower tax obligation.
• Be conservative when forecasting your earned income tax credit. It is uncertain how the expanded earned income tax credit will impact those over 65 when you have no children. For example, are Social Security benefits considered earned income when calculating the earned income tax credit? Does the larger standard deduction for those over 65 affect the earned income tax credit calculation? Until clarification is issued by the IRS, you may wish to be conservative about the credit amount you’ll receive.

After living under the weight of the pandemic for more than a year and listening every day to the bad news around us, why not look for ways to change the conversation by doing something nice and unexpected for someone else.

Here are some creative ideas:

• Pay it forward. The next time you are in a drive-through line to pick up food, pay the bill for the car behind you. This unexpected act of kindness is sure to bring a smile.
• Become a tutor. Many students find virtual classrooms to be challenging and could use some extra help. And you don’t need to be an expert! Even with students re-entering the classroom, your local school may be in need of assistance.
• Look to your neighborhood. Every neighborhood has someone who could use help. From single parents to seniors, simple everyday chores could be a real chore for them. It might mean mowing the grass or offering to go shopping to pick up items for them while you are out. And if you’re up for it, consider offering free babysitting services for an hour or two so parents can take a well-deserved break.
• Make an elderly friend. Call a local nursing home or assisted care facility and ask if they have a friendship program that connects you with a resident that could use a pen pal. Get your kids to create a card with a picture to go with a short letter they write themselves. When it’s appropriate after the pandemic, consider regular, in-person visits to say hi to your new pen pals.
• Do a good deed daily. This is a great way to create the habit of undertaking daily, random acts of kindness. By doing a good deed every day, your vision will change and you’ll see more opportunities to help. Opening a door, picking up trash or helping a single parent who is juggling different tasks are all great examples of this.
• Bring back forgiveness. When someone makes a mistake, provide an environment to accept an apology and leave room to genuinely forgive. Continue to be a role model in displaying the act of forgiveness.

Giving the gift of grace is not only rewarding for you, but is also contagious to everyone around you.

PPP loan application deadline extended. The deadline to apply for PPP loans is now May 31, 2021.

Sick leave extended. If your business provides sick leave for COVID-related reasons, you might get reimbursed for the sick pay through a tax credit.

• Businesses which voluntarily provide sick leave through September 30, 2021 qualify for the credit. There are limits for each employee. However, for employees who took 10 days of sick leave in 2020 using this same provision, they can take another 10 days beginning April 1, 2021.
• Refundable tax credits are available through September 30, 2021.
• Covered reasons to get the tax credit now include sick leave taken to get COVID testing and vaccination, and to recover from the vaccination.
• These benefits are also extended to self-employed workers.

Family Medical Leave Act Provisions extended.

• Additional coverage is now available through September 30, 2021.
• Qualified wages for this provision move to $12,000 (up from $10,000) however the credit was not increased.
• The Family Medical Leave Act also applies to the self-employed.

Big increase in Employee Retention Credit.

• Businesses can get up to a $28,000 tax credit per employee in 2021, up from a $5,000 maximum credit in 2020. This credit can be claimed through Dec. 31, 2021.

There are many more provisions in the close to $2 trillion dollar spending package, including money given to states. As everyone digests this new 500-plus page piece of legislation, more clarifications will be forthcoming from the IRS and other sources.