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DELAYED START TO FILING SEASON

1/15/2021

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This morning the IRS announced that it will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns on February 12, 2021.  This is two weeks later than normal but the delay is required in order for the IRS to have time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits.

IRS processing centers remain closed or under-staffed due to COVID-19.  Returns filed manually may not be processed for a long time. To speed refunds during the pandemic, the IRS urges taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically whenever possible.  People can begin filing their tax returns immediately with tax software companies. These companies are starting to accept tax returns now and will transmit them to the IRS starting February 12.

Please contact Turner's Tax Service if you have any questions about this year's filing season dates.




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CAN YOU CLAIM A HOME OFFICE?

1/11/2021

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Hundreds of thousands of wage earners began working from home last March as the efforts to combat COVID-19 ramped up.  As those folks begin to prepare their 2020 income tax returns, they have begun to question whether they can claim the cost of a home office as a federal tax deduction.  The answer is no.

Prior to Tax Year 2019 and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), wage earners who itemized deductions could claim various miscellaneous deductions, including a home office if one was required by their employer and the office was used solely and exclusively for business.  The TCJA eliminated the ability to claim all miscellaneous deductions, including a home office.

Some states, such as California, still allow wage earners to claim a home office required by their employer and used solely and exclusively for business.  The space doesn't have to be a separate room but it can't be a space used for other things.  Be sure to check with your tax preparer to see if your state allows a home office deduction and, if so, what requirements must be met in order to claim the deduction.  
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POTENTIAL NEW PAYROLL TAX CREDIT

12/29/2020

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Did you take a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan?  If so, you weren't able to claim an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) on your payroll tax forms.  That changed when the newest COVID relief bill was signed by the President over the weekend - you may now claim both.

The credit covers payroll taxes paid between March 12, 2020 and December 1, 2020 by employers impacted by government orders that caused a full or partial closure of their business due to COVID-19 or who experienced a significant decline in revenue because of COVID-19.  The credit can be claimed when fourth quarter payroll tax forms are completed.

Turner's Tax Service does not provide payroll tax services but is highlighting this change to be of help to our small-business income tax clients.  We recommend you immediately contact your payroll tax provider for eligibility details and instructions on how to claim this additional credit.



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PREPARATION OF 2020 TAXES

12/28/2020

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For your safety and the safety of my staff and me, the 2020 tax season will start with no face-to-face appointments.  Instead, tax preparation will be done remotely, as it was for much of the 2019 tax season.  You will drop off your tax materials in our outside drop box or mail them to our PO box, draft returns will be prepared and transmitted to you for review, you will call with any questions and once the returns are prepared to your satisfaction, you will sign the necessary forms to electronically submit your returns.

There are numerous changes to tax rules and regulations for 2020 so it is imperative that we gather complete information from you in order to accurately prepare your returns.  Normally, information is shared with us during a face-to-face meeting.  Since that meeting cannot happen, please submit the annual organizer that will be mailed to you in early January with your tax materials with at least the first three pages completed.  Returns will not be prepared until that organizer has been provided to us.

As tax season progresses, there may be additional changes that occur to federal and state rules and regulations.  Our ability to offer face-to-face appointments may also change as vaccines for COVID 19 become available.  Please check this website regularly and like us on Facebook for updates.

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IRS LAUNCHES NEW TOOL FOR NON-FILERS TO REGISTER FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS

4/10/2020

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 IRS.gov feature helps people who normally don’t file get payments. A second tool next week provides taxpayers with payment delivery date and allows entry of direct deposit information

Today the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return.  The non-filer tool provides a free and easy option designed for people who don’t have a return filing obligation, including those with too little income to file. The feature is available only on IRS.gov, and users should look for Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here to take them directly to the tool.

Economic Impact Payments will be distributed automatically to most people starting next week. Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 will receive the payments automatically. Automatic payments will also go to those receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits in the near future.

How do I use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool?
For those who don’t normally file a tax return, the process is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. First, visit IRS.gov, and look for “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here.” Then provide basic information including Social Security number, name, address, and dependents. The IRS will use this information to confirm eligibility and calculate and send an Economic Impact Payment. Using the tool to get your payment will not result in any taxes being owed. Entering bank or financial account information will allow the IRS to deposit your payment directly in your account.  Otherwise, your payment will be mailed to you.

Who should use the Non-Filers tool?
This new tool is designed for people who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who don’t receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits.  You should also use the tool is you fall into one of the following groups.

Low Income - Those who haven’t filed a 2018 or 2019 return because they are under the normal income limits for filing a tax return. This may include single filers who made under $12,200 and married couples making less than $24,400 in 2019.

Veterans beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients - The IRS continues to explore ways to see if Economic Impact Payments can be made automatically to SSI recipients and those who receive veterans disability compensation, pension or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and who did not file a tax return for the 2018 or 2019 tax years. People in these groups can either use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info option now or wait as the IRS continues to review automatic payment options to simplify delivery for these groups.
 
Social Security, SSDI and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries with qualifying dependents - These groups will automatically receive $1,200 Economic Impact Payments. People in this group who have qualifying children under age 17 may use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info to claim the $500 payment per child.

WARNING - If someone else claimed you on their tax return, you will not be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment and should not use the Non-Filer system.
 
Automatic payments begin next week
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 and chose direct deposit of their refund will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and $500 for each qualifying child if their adjusted gross income is below certain levels. Individuals who receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, SSDI or who receive Railroad Retirement benefits but did not file a return for 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive a payment in the near future.

Starting next week Get My Payment will show Economic Impact Payment date and help with direct deposit
To help everyone check on the status of their Economic Impact Payments, the IRS is building a second new tool expected to be available for use by April 17. Get My Payment will provide people with the status of their payment, including the date their payment is scheduled to be deposited into their bank account or mailed to them.
An additional feature on Get My Payment will allow eligible people a chance to provide their bank account information so they can receive their payment more quickly rather than waiting for a paper check. This feature will be unavailable if the Economic Impact Payment has already been scheduled for delivery.

Notices are coming daily from the IRS and Turner's Tax Service will continue to update you as information becomes available. 
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JUNE 15TH FEDERAL ESTIMATED PAYMENT DATE EXTENDED TO JULY 15TH

4/10/2020

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Yesterday the IRS issued a notice that the federal estimated payment due on June 15th will now be due by July 15th.  The April 15th estimated payment had already been moved to July 15th.  Most states, including California,  had already moved the due date for June 15th estimated payments to July 15th.  

BOTTOM LINE - If you make estimated payments to the IRS, you now have until July 15th to make the first two payments for 2020.  That's also true for those making estimated payments to California and many other states.  
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FILING DATE EXTENDED

3/20/2020

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The Treasury Secretary announced today that the April 15 filing deadline has been extended to July 15 for all taxpayers and businesses. This means taxpayers will no longer be required to file extensions for federal purposes. They also have until July 15 to pay, so long as they fall below the thresholds of $10 million due for C corporations, and $1 million due for all other taxpayers.
The information released today did not address the second quarter estimate payments due on 6/15, payroll tax filing deadlines, or IRA contribution deadlines. We will update you on this information as it becomes available.

The California Franchise Tax Board is postponing until July 15 the filing and payment deadlines for all individuals, trusts, and business entities for:
  • 2019 tax returns;
  • 2019 tax return payments;
  • 2020 1st and 2nd quarter estimate payments;
  • 2020 LLC taxes and fees; and
  • 2020 Non-wage withholding payments.
The FTB extended their initial extension period of June 15, 2020, to be more consistent with the IRS extension relief. Like the IRS extension, the FTB extension applies to both filing and payment deadlines, but does not limit the payment extension to those below $1 million ($10 million for corporations), and applies to estimated tax and withholding payments.
Other states will probably take similar actions.  If you have questions about what your state has done or is proposing to do, check your local news or the state tax office's website.
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IRS TAKES ACTION

3/19/2020

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The Internal Revenue Service is providing PAYMENT RELIEF to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The IRS urges taxpayers who are owed a refund to file as quickly as possible. For those who can’t file by the April 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return.  Turner's Tax Service will be happy to process an extension request for you.  Please call our office for more information.  

Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief.  This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. If you file your tax return or request an extension of time to file by April 15, 2020, you will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15.

This relief only applies to federal income tax payments due April 15, 2020.  Some states such as California are following suit but not all states have decided to do so yet.  If you are unsure of your state's requirement, please contact Turner's Tax Service.

We are continuing to process tax returns but are currently not offering face-to-face appointments.  You may send us your tax documents by mail, fax or electronically.  For more information about your individual situation, please call the office at 530-626-8551.

​Stay safe!
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UPDATE ON FILING AND PAYING YOUR TAXES

3/18/2020

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The Treasury Secretary made an announcement yesterday about tax relief due to COVID-19.

We expect the IRS to release detailed guidance soon, and we will share that information with you once it is available.

As of now, this is what we understand based on his announcement:
  • the individual filing deadline is still April 15
  • those who can file their taxes should file by the normal tax filing deadline
  • those who can’t file by the deadline should file an extension by April 15
  • taxpayers, both individuals and corporations, can defer a tax due payment, interest-free and penalty-free, for an additional 90 days after April 15

We anticipate the IRS will also address the following:
  • whether or not quarterly estimated tax payments can be deferred
  • any changes related to filing 1041 returns

Turner's Tax Service will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated.

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POSSIBLE TAX PAYMENT EXTENSION

3/17/2020

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​​At a press conference held today, U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced the following extensions for federal income tax payments:
  • Individuals and businesses with an April 15 filing deadline will be given an additional 90 days to pay taxes;
  • Individuals will be able to defer up to $1 million of tax liability; and
  • Corporations get an extension for up to $10 million.
Mnuchin was not specific about late-filing penalties for either the March 15 or April 15 deadlines, but it appears interest and penalties will be waived automatically. He stated, "All you have to do is file your taxes. You will automatically not get charged interest and penalties."

​Turner's Tax Service  will provide additional information when formal guidance is issued by the IRS.


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    Federal and state tax laws and regulations change regularly.  As we become aware of changes, we will post them here and, if you are a client who has provided us with an email address, we will also email them to you.

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