The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit that businesses can use to offset the cost of hiring people from specific target groups who have consistently encountered significant barriers to employment. WOTC initiatives help to improve workplace diversity and make it easier for all citizens to acquire decent jobs.

The Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021 authorized the extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit until December 31, 2025. This means taxpayers can claim the credit on or before Dec 31, 2025, for such eligible hiring. Needless to say, WOTC is only for one time per employee and cannot be claimed for re-hired.

Eligible Businesses for WOTC

There is no specific limit on business size to be eligible under this scheme. Any size of business is eligible for the work opportunity tax credit if it hires candidates from qualified groups. This credit is available to both taxpayers and certain tax-exempt employers operating in the United States and some U.S. territories. Basically, the employers must fall under the below criteria as

• Taxpayers that can claim the credit against income taxes
• Tax-exempt employers can claim the credit only against payroll taxes and only for wages paid to members of the qualified veteran targeted group.

Target Groups Qualified under WOTC

Any employers can claim WOTC for the below-targeted groups under section 51 of the Code. The employee must be a certified member of any one of the following groups to proceed with the claim.

• Veterans
• Recipients state assistance under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA)
• Individuals who have previously served time in prison or who have been convicted of a felony
• People who live in empowerment zones or rural renewal counties
• Individuals who have been referred to an employer after completing a rehabilitation plan or program
• People whose families receive supplemental nutrition assistance under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2000
• Recipients of supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the SSA
• Individuals experiencing long-term unemployment

How much can be claimed?

The amount of tax credit under the WOTC program varies based on the employee’s target group, total hours worked, and total qualified wages earned. For instance,

• If the qualified employee has worked for at least 400 hours and is still in the first year of employment, WOTC is equal to 40% of up to $6,000 wages paid or incurred with a maximum credit of $2,400 for an employee
• If the eligible employee has 120 to 399 hours of service, then a 25% rate applies to wages
• Up to $24,000 in wages may be considered in determining the WOTC for certain qualified veteran targeted group

 Procedure to Claim WOTC

Taxpayers and Tax-exempt organizations can apply through different IRS Forms to claim WOTC. But all need to complete Form 8850 which is a Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request to certify that the employee is qualified under the target group. These documents must be submitted to the State Workforce Agency not the IRS within 28 days of the new employee’s start date. Once the State Workforce Agency certifies the employee, Taxpayers can file Form 5884 (Work Opportunity Credit) and tax-exempt employers file Form 5884-C (Work Opportunity Credit for Qualified Tax-Exempt Organizations Hiring Qualified Veterans) to claim the WOTC.

IRS Audit Group is a Tax Audit Representation Firm in Los Angeles, California. Our Tax professionals act on the behalf of the taxpayer during an IRS audit. The IRS audit process can terrify some taxpayers but the Taxpayer Bill of Rights states that individuals can seek help from an IRS tax representative like us to represent them during the IRS audit. Don’t Panic, if you have received a mail for IRS Audit but act fast by contacting us immediately for the next step.

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The IRS tax filing deadline has ended for most individual taxpayers for the season 2022. In case, if you have not done the tax filing by the end of the deadline which was on April 18, 2022, it is important to know the consequences as well as other options. People who qualify for tax exempt or who don’t owe taxes will not receive any penalties and interests. But it is different for those who have the liability to pay tax. They need to file tax return as soon as they can do it in order to reduce penalties and interest.

For the tax season 2022, IRS advised that individuals who owe taxes need to file returns and pay as much as possible on/before Jun 14, 2022, to avoid hefty fines. It also recommended to use the electronic filing options for faster processing. Similarly, the fastest and easiest way to pay the taxed is with IRS Direct Pay.

IRS Late Filing Penalty Structure

Missing the deadline of June 14 will typically result in a failure-to-file penalty, which is also known as a minimum late filing penalty. The minimum fine is $435 or 100% of the unpaid tax, whichever is smaller, if the return is more than 60 days late. If the taxpayer owes $435 or less in taxes, the penalty will be equivalent to that amount. The minimum fine will be at least $435 if they owe more than that.

Under the normal calculation, this penalty is 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month that the return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. Once the taxpayer files return, the late filing penalty will no longer be charged. In addition, once the tax is paid, the separate late-payment penalty and interest will also stop growing. None of these costs need not be calculated by the taxpayer. The IRS will instead send them a bill for any overdue sum.

Late Filing Options for Tax Season 2022

Even if the taxpayers have not filed the returns before the April deadline, they can do so electronically through Free-File service. Those who qualify can avail this free-file service until October 17, 2022. If you are not eligible for IRS Free File, then you can e-file using Free File Fillable Forms. The IRS paper forms used in this option are electronic counterparts. It helps individuals who are comfortable filing their own taxes where the e-filing does the part of the math.

Sometimes, taxpayers may miss the deadline because they were not able to pay the taxes, which in case they can opt for payment plan with the IRS. The best way to apply is to use the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool. Once the online process is complete, you’ll receive immediate notification of whether the agreement is approved. IRS provides two types of online payment plans as follows

• Short-term payment plan: If the entire amount owed, including taxes, penalties, and interest, is less than $100,000 and the payment period is 120 days or less.
• Long-term payment plan: If the total amount payable for the tax, penalties, and interest is less than $50,000 and the payment period is greater than 120 days. If IRS approves long-term payment plan, a setup fee can be charged depending on the taxpayers’ income.

If you are not eligible for an online payment plan, you may also request an installment agreement by submitting Form 9465, “Installment Agreement Request”, with the IRS. If the IRS approves your IA, a setup fee may apply depending on your income.

Can You Avoid the Penalties?

The penalties for late filing, late payment, and interest on unpaid taxes pile up quickly, so it’s crucial to file as soon as possible. A taxpayer who files after the deadline can, however, under some circumstances, be eligible for penalty relief. Those who received a penalty may call the IRS at the number listed on their notification and explain why they were unable to file and pay on time.

Administrative penalty reduction is frequently available to taxpayers who have a history of timely filing and payment. Generally, a taxpayer is eligible if they have been timely filing and paying taxes for the last three years and meet additional criteria.

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The Section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code specifies that any Tax-exempt organizations need to be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes. Also, it needs to ensure that none of its earnings inure to any private shareholder or individual.  In this context, the private inurement means that the assets of the organization must not be used to benefit a single person excessively.

Here are a few types of Exempt Organizations.

• Charitable Organizations
• Churches and Religious Organizations
• Private Foundations
• Political Organizations
• Other Non-profits

  The IRS requires most tax-exempt organizations to file annual tax returns. Even though most tax-exempt non-profit organizations do not pay federal taxes, these entities are required to file an informational return with the IRS.  Hence, such entities need to file their IRS return for this tax season 2022.

 The annual reporting return for tax-exempt organizations is referred to as a Form 990. Most of the tax-exempt organizations need to file an annual return, and it can be done electronically. The financial activity of an organization determines which form it must file, as shown in the chart below.

 The deadline for the tax season 2022 has been fixed as May 16 to file IRS return by the tax-exempt organizations. Taxpayers who need more time to file beyond the May 16 deadline can request Form 8868 which is the Application for Extension of Time to File an Exempt Organization Return. This form will provide a 6-month automatic extension. Extending the time to file a return does not extend the deadline to pay tax in circumstances where tax is payable. Organizations requesting an extension are encouraged to complete Form 8868 electronically, according to the IRS.

Extended Support From IRS

IRS helps taxpayers, board members, volunteers, and officers in filling returns to comply with their tax filing obligations. Therefore, it lists few modernized e-File (MeF) providers who have passed the IRS Assurance Testing System (ATS) requirements for Software Developers of electronic Exempt Organizations. The list of such service providers can be found using the below IRS webpage

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-year-2021-exempt-organizations-modernized-e-file-mef-providers

IRS Audit Group is a Tax Audit Representation firm in Los Angeles, California. We are a team of tax attorneys having hands-on experience in dealing with IRS audit process. We help you file your tax return for 2022 complying with all obligations and represent you on IRS audit. Contact us to get free consultation to understand your issues. https://irsauditgroup.com/contact/

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Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) is an investment vehicle formed as a company or partnership with the goal of investing in property within Qualified Opportunity Zones. This program was formed per the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide a tax incentive for private, long-term investment in economically distressed communities. There are thousands of low-income communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories that are designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones. Taxpayers can invest in these zones through Qualified Opportunity Funds. This type of opportunity funds assists taxpayers in giving tax advantages and rewards to investors.

Certain types of businesses cannot be included in opportunity funds, even if it falls within opportunity zones. Following are types of business which are not included in opportunity funds.

• Golf courses
• Country clubs
• Massage parlors
• Hot tub facilities
• Suntan facilities
• Racetracks or other facilities used for gambling
• Liquor stores

Eligibility Criteria

To certify and maintain a Qualified Opportunity Fund, an entity must:

• Be a partnership, corporation, or LLC that is treated as a partnership or corporation, and it must have filed a federal income tax return;
• Be organized for the purpose of investing in Qualified Opportunity Zone property under the laws in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a U.S. possession, or a federally recognized Indian tribal government: and
• Hold 90% of its assets in Qualified Opportunity Zone property.

IRS Form Required to Certify as a Qualified Opportunity Fund

The entity must file Form 8996, QOF, with the qualifying partnership or corporation’s federal tax return each year to attest and retain its status as a Qualified Opportunity Fund. The entity must file Form 8996 by the due date for 2022 tax return (including extensions).

Form 8996 is used to:

• Certify the corporation or partnership is organized to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zone property.
• Report that it meets the 90% investment standard of section 1400Z-2.
• Figure the penalty if it fails to meet the 90% investment standard.

Benefits to the Taxpayers

The QOF basically provides tax deferral to the capital gains if the taxpayer elects to do so. The basis in the QOF investment becomes zero when one elect to defer the gain. The longer the investment in the QOF, the higher the basis grows. The tax benefit received is determined by the length of time one retains the Qualified Opportunity Fund investment. For instance

• After five years, a taxpayer who defers gains through a Qualified Opportunity Fund investment obtains a 10% step-up in tax basis
• It will be followed by another 5% step-up after seven years. Note that the taxpayer must have invested before December 31, 2019, to receive the entire 15% step-up in tax base. The taxpayer will have held the investment in the fund for seven years when the tax is triggered at the end of 2026, thereby qualifying for the 15% increase in tax basis.
• If the taxpayer holds the investment in the QOF for at least 10 years, then such taxpayer may be able to permanently exclude gain resulting from a qualifying investment when it is sold or exchanged.

A team of tax attorneys from IRS Audit Groups helps taxpayers in filling their IRS return for 2022. We are certified tax lawyers who represent taxpayers during any IRS audit. We can resolve common tax problems to complex audit sessions to help comply our clients. Get free consultation by calling or filling the enquiry from our website below

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What is FBAR?

According to the Bank Secrecy Act, one must declare and keep records of certain foreign financial accounts, such as bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and mutual funds, to the Treasury Department every year. The accounts are reported on a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114 called a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). The annual due date for filing FBARs for foreign financial accounts is April 15^th of every year.

Who must file FBAR?

A citizen, resident, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or estate in the United States must file an FBAR to report if they have a financial interest in or signature or other authority over at least one financial account located outside the United States and its aggregate value of those foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year reported.

However, you are exempt from reporting foreign financial accounts if they are:

• Correspondent/Nostro accounts
• Owned by a governmental entity
• Owned by an international financial institution
• Maintained a U.S. military banking facility,
• Held in an individual retirement account (IRA) of which you’re an owner or beneficiary,
• Held in a retirement plan of which you’re a participant or beneficiary, or
• Part of a trust of which you’re a beneficiary,  if a U.S. person (trust, trustee of the trust or agent of the trust) files an FBAR reporting these accounts.

Further taxpayers don’t have to file an FBAR for the tax year 2022 if you meet the following criteria:

• All your foreign financial accounts are reported on a consolidated FBAR, or
• You jointly own all your foreign financial accounts with your spouse and:
  • You completed and signed FinCEN Form 114a authorizing your spouse to file on your behalf, and your spouse reports the jointly owned accounts on a timely-filed signed FBAR.

Note: Your eligibility for this exception is unaffected by your filing status, such as married-filing-jointly or married-filing-separately.

How to file the FBAR?

The FBAR must be filed online using FinCEN’s (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) BSA E-Filing System. The FBAR is not filed with the federal tax return. You need to call FinCEN’s Resource Centre to request an exemption from e-filing if you want to file your FBAR on paper. If FinCEN authorises your request, you will get a printed FBAR form to fill out and mail to the IRS.

If you wish someone else to file your FBAR on your behalf, fill out FinCEN Report 114a, Record of Authorization to Electronically File FBARs, and provide it to them. FinCEN Report 114a is not submitted with the FBAR; instead, retain it for your records and make it available to FinCEN or the IRS upon request.

Deadline to file for the Tax year 2021

The FBAR is an annual report that is due on April 15 of the year reported. If taxpayers miss the FBAR annual due date of April 15, they will get an automatic extension until October 15. To file the FBAR, you do not need to request an extension.

More information related FBAR filing and other resources available on the IRS website here – https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar

IRS Audit Group are a team of Tax Professionals, CPAs, Enrolled Agents and Tax Attorneys, primarily specializing in Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Tax Audit Representation. We resolve your tax audit issues and represent on behalf of you to the IRS. Call us to get free consultation from our tax professional to understand our Tax audit concerns.

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As the internet economy grows, business entities find tax regulations increasingly complex, which impends growth and thus hinders business entry into new markets. Online payments made it easy for businesses to manage payment details and accept transactions without visiting banks and even without adding customer accounts. This tax payment makes it easy for businesses to calculate and collect the correct relevant taxes without having to understand the complexities of tax regulations or rates.

To facilitate  2022 tax filing in such transactions, IRS has instructed the payment processors like Venmo and Cash App to send the Form  1099-K to users who accept money for selling goods & services. It includes those who transact in cryptocurrency using these payment processors. In summary, 1099-K is an IRS instruction form to be filed by the payment processing companies and shared with users so taxpayers can verify and include it in their income tax filing. Form 1099-K will report the total gross income in Box 1a received during the year without considering any adjustments, discounts, or refunds.

Did You Get The Form 1099-K?

Not all the users who make transactions through these platforms will be receiving the form. IRS defines a few eligibility criteria. If you received payments in the prior calendar year, then in such a case you should have received Form 1099-K, and here is the summary.

• From payment card transactions (e.g. debit, credit, or stored-value cards), and/or
• In settlement of third-party payment network transactions above the minimum reporting thresholds as follows:
  • For returns for calendar years prior to 2022:
    • Gross payments that exceed $20,000, AND
    • More than 200 such transactions
  • For returns for calendar years after 2021:
    • Gross payments that exceed $600, AND
    • Any number of transactions

If you are using multiple payment processors, each company will be sending a separate Form 1099-K. This form will include all transaction details including taxable non-taxable payments. Non-taxable transactions can be money received from friends, share for home rent from roommates or as gifts, and more.

How will I Receive My 1099-K Tax Forms?

Qualified users will be notified in the app and send an email to the address on file. As soon as the taxpayers receive notifications about 1099-K, they can follow the instructions from the app on what to do next. These forms will be sent out on or before Jan 31^st and the gain/loss statement will be made available on or before Feb 15^th.

What to do with Form 1099-K?

It is an information form that provides a record of all tractions of your business income that happened through the payment processing platform. Therefore, IRS advises reporting this business income in your Tax Return 2022. The gross receipts on the tax returns are calculated from the total income of the business for the tax year.  Therefore, taxpayers should consider the amounts shown on Form 1099-K, along with all other amounts received, when calculating gross receipts for your income tax return. If already included, taxpayers can keep it as a record and cross verify all the income is reported properly.

If there is any mismatch or incorrect information like wrong Tax identification number, incorrect gross income, in Form 1099-K, taxpayers can contact the payment processors through the telephone number listed in the Form.

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The IRS issued an important update to the taxpayers of partnerships and S corporations on January 18, 2022. IRS introduced two new Schedules K-2 and K-3 for the tax year 2021. These two new forms are for reporting any sort of international income, deductions, credits, and other miscellaneous items on pass-through entity tax returns. Partnerships, S corporations, and US citizens with interests in foreign partners are required to file Schedules K-2 and K-3 with their 2022 tax returns. The purpose of these new schedules is to make it easier for taxpayers to provide their partners with the information they need for their respective US tax returns in a more consistent format.

Who is Required to File Schedules K-2 and K-3?

All pass-through entities with items of international tax relevance, including foreign partners and international activities, need to file the new schedules. Partnership with no foreign source income, no assets producing foreign source income, and no foreign taxes paid or accrued are still be required to file Schedules K-2 and K-3. Previously, international tax items were either reported on Schedule K-1, line 16, or provided to partners as a footnote to their Schedule K-1.

Penalty Relief for Schedules K-2 and K-3 During the Transition Period

While filing Schedules K-2 and K-3, the IRS recognizes reporting and compliance issues. Taxpayers, for example, may lack the systems and procedures necessary to obtain the detailed information to determine whether and how they must file a portion of the new schedules. For tax season 2022, fines for erroneous or incomplete reporting on Schedules K-2 and K-3 will not be applied if the partnership or S corporation proves that it made a good faith attempt to comply with the obligations to file or provide the schedules. The revised schedules are designed to give the taxpayers additional transparency and clarity on how to compute their US income tax liabilities from relevant international items.

Taxpayers need to examine and identify the procedural and reporting gaps that exist between prior-year obligations and the new Schedules K-2 and K-3 standards. Since the IRS is still issuing guidance and changes for Schedules K-2 and K-3, it is critical to remain vigilant and up to date.

For most taxpayers, the deadline for submitting 2021 tax returns or requesting an extension to file and pay the tax owed is April 18, 2022. Those who request an extension will have until October 17, 2022, to file their taxes.

IRS Audit Group is a tax audit representation firm in Los Angeles, California. We provide consultation and represent on behalf of you to IRS for any federal and state audits. Our certified attorneys have deep knowledge of IRS rules and norms and have represented many audit cases successfully. Get a free consultation with our tax professionals. Contact us to help you file your tax return for 2021 or any issues related to an IRS audit.

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IRS defines a “GIG” economy as sharing economy where individuals earn income by providing on-demand work, services, or goods per the flexibility of both parties.  It often involves a digital platform like a website or mobile application.  Examples include ride-hailing apps, food delivery apps, and holiday rental apps.  It’s a growing segment, bringing economic benefits of productivity and employment.

Who has to File Tax Returns Under Gig Economy?

The gig economy is taxable.  Taxpayers need to report the income in their filings, even if the income is.

• From part-time, temporary, or side work,
• Not reported on an information return form – like a Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2, or other income statement or
• Paid in any form, including cash, property, goods, or virtual currency.

Tax Slab for Gig Workers

A gig worker who is primarily dependent on the Gig Economy needs to consider taxes to be paid as a self-employed taxpayer.  They need to file tax returns for 2021 if their income from self-employment equals or exceeds $400.  Therefore, it is important to keep a record of all receipts to track income, deduct expenses, and complete tax returns.

How to File Your Income Tax Returns as Gig Workers?

Independent contractors or Gig workers, whether it is a full-time, part-time or side job, need to file their tax returns for 2021 using the below forms.

• Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S.  Tax Return for Seniors
• Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax
• Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)

 In case the filed tax return needs to be modified, use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S.  Individual Income Tax Return.

IRS provides various options to guide the taxpayers in filing their returns.  Below are a few options that can be utilized by any individuals

• IRS Free File — Use free tax prep software or fillable forms based on your income and the forms you must file.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site — Get free, in-person filing help near you.
• Authorized e-file provider — Search the list of tax professionals approved by the IRS for e-filing.
• File your return by mail — Find addresses by the state to mail your tax return.

IRS Audit Group is a Los Angeles-based Tax Audit Representation firm that helps in resolving common tax problems and provides points of clarification on issues such as tax relief, tax fraud, California state tax issues, and other tax debt-related circumstances.  Our certified tax attorneys help taxpayers in facilitating their filings as well as after filing issues like IRS audits.  Contact us to get a free consultation from our staff members to help us understand your problems.  Email: [email protected], Phone: 1-888-300-6670

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The ‘child and dependent care” in the tax system are applicable if the taxpayer paid expenses for the qualifying dependents during a financial year.  The eligibility criteria are listed separately.  This tax credit can be claimed in tax filing by taxpayers under the applicable situations.  

If the taxpayer is a parent or caretaker of a disabled dependent or spouse, they can save the expenses while claiming in this tax filing 2021. For the tax year 2021, the credit is fully refundable. This means that an eligible family can get it, even if they owe no federal income tax. 

Eligibility of Child and Dependent Care Credit

• Taxpayer’s dependent who is under age 13 when the care is provided,
• The spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year, or
• A person who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care, lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year and either: 

1. 1. is your dependent; or 
   2. Could have been your dependent except that 
      • he or she is over the gross income limit of $4300 
      • or files a joint return, 
      • or you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) could have been claimed on another taxpayer’s return.

Qualifying Claim Amount of Claim and Child and Dependent Care Credit

For 2021, taxpayers can claim the credit for up to $8,000 of expenses for one qualifying person or $16,000 for two or more people. The percentage of expenses you can claim ranges from 0% to 50%, depending on your adjusted gross income (AGI). You can claim the maximum percentage (50%) of expenses if your AGI is $125,000 or less. So, for example, if your AGI is $75,000 and you had $8,000 of expenses for one qualifying person, the tax credit would be worth $4,000 (50% of $8,000). The tax credit starts to phase out if your AGI is above $125,000 and disappears entirely at AGIs above $438,000. For more details, refer to IRS official website below

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-highlights-importance-of-child-and-dependent-care-credit-can-help-families-others

How to Claim Child and Dependent Care Credit

To claim the credit, taxpayers must fill out Form 2441 and include it with the federal tax return. Further, a valid taxpayer identification number (TIN) for each qualifying person, as well as the names, addresses, and TINs for the people and organizations that provided care for your child, spouse, or dependent must also be included.

According to the IRS, since the advance child tax credit payments cannot be counted as income, federal, state, or local agencies can’t use the amount when determining if you or your family are eligible for other benefits or assistance.

Advance Child Tax Credit payments

Advance Child Tax Credit payments provide an option to claim the credits early from the estimated amount of the Child Tax Credit. Taxpayers can claim up to 50% of the estimated credit that you may properly claim on your 2021 tax return during the 2022 tax filing season. 

Going through different forms and documents is always a hassle for taxpayers especially when the deadlines are nearing. IRS Audit Group in Los Angeles facilitates your tax filing through its certified IRS attorneys. Get a free consultation with one of our staff members to help us understand your needs. Call us on 1- -888-300-6670 or email us at [email protected].

It is that time of the year when the tax return is due.  The deadline for submitting tax return for the year 2021 is April 18, 2022.  Those who requested an extension will have until October 17, 2022, to file their full 2021 tax return.  Filing a tax return sometimes turns out to be a confusing process for quite a few.  It happens mostly if the rules and deadlines have changed slightly over the previous year.  It’s a good idea to get it straight so you know exactly what to file and when.

Now, there is a reminder from the IRS for those who have yet to file under several provisions of the American Rescue Plan, and it will have an impact on their 2021 tax return.  More than two-thirds of the tax cuts and direct payments go to families earning less than $90,000 a year, making it one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history.

How the American Rescue Plan affect taxes in 2021

The ARPA’s (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) impact will be felt primarily on the 2021 tax return, as many of the provisions were designed to provide tax relief to taxpayers dealing with the effects of COVID-19 in 2021.  The tax provisions primarily expand on current Tax Code provisions, with few exceptions.

Stimulus Payments

Families will get payments from the government for every qualified dependent child listed on their tax returns, not just those under the age of 17.  Importantly, Stimulus funds are available to the US residents and Green Card holders living abroad.  The first two installments can be claimed as a refund in the 2020 federal tax return.  The third payment can be claimed on the 2021 federal tax return if they are not received automatically.  For expats, this is excellent news.

Child and Dependent Care Credit

For 2021, ARPA made significant changes to the child and dependent care credit.  The credit will be a refundable credit on the 2021 tax return, which will benefit low-income taxpayers significantly.  For more details visit:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-and-dependent-care-credit-information

Earned Income Tax Credit

For low-income individuals, there is an extension of the Earned Income Tax Credit.  As well as raising the income cap and expanding the beneficiary age bracket, it hopes to raise the credit limit for childless adults from around $530 to close to $1,500.  Check if you qualify using IRS virtual assistant:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant

Unemployment Benefits Exclusion

The American Rescue Plan improves unemployment insurance to make it easier for workers to receive benefits.  Unemployment compensation is available for periods ranging from 24 to 53 weeks, while unemployment assistance is available for periods ranging from 50 to 73 weeks.

Forgiven Student Loans are Excluded

The legislation includes a broader exclusion for forgiven student loans that apply to loans discharged after 2020 but before 2026.

It is important that you file your tax return 2021 before the deadline.  It means you will not face financial penalties for late filing and that you will be able to keep up with payments.  Even if you do not feel you have enough money to pay your entire tax return, filing early and paying as much as you can afford will save you money in the long run.

IRS Audit Group can assist you in filing your tax return by analyzing all the eligibility criteria to your benefits in reducing tax payable.  Contact us for a free consultation: https://irsauditgroup.com/contact/