T&Y Tax & Accounting Solutions, LLC

Special Tax Benefits for Charitable Donations Extended Through 2021 Did You Know? The CARES Act of 2020 included provisions to make it easier for taxpayers to donate to charities. Congress and the IRS have extended these temporary rules through tax year 2021. One key rule raises the deduction limit for charitable contributions, while another allows taxpayers to deduct certain donations even if they don't itemize deductions on their tax returns. Standard IRS rules limit the ...deduction that taxpayers who itemize deductions can claim for charitable donations to at most 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI). However, under the extended special rules, these taxpayers may elect to claim a deduction of up to 100% of their AGI for qualified monetary donations made during calendar year 2021. Taxpayers who claim the standard deduction ordinarily cannot deduct any charitable donations on their tax returns. However, the special rules allow these taxpayers to claim a deduction of up to $300 (up to $600 for joint filers) for qualified monetary contributions made to charities in 2021. You may claim this deduction in addition to the standard deduction for your filing status. Only monetary contributions qualify for these special tax benefits. Monetary contributions include donations to qualifying charities made by cash, check, digital payment or credit card, as well as by paying unreimbursed expenses while doing volunteer work. Donations of goods, property (including virtual currency) or labor do not qualify for these temporary deduction rules. The extended special rules are set to expire at the end of 2021. A tax professional can help you plan your charitable giving for the rest of the year to take advantage of the available tax benefits. The IRS search tool for nonprofit organizations (link below) can help you find eligible charities that accept qualifying monetary contributions. IRS Nonprofit Search: https://www.irs.gov/cha/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations

IRS Working with Three Collection Agencies Beginning Fall 2021 The IRS sometimes refers taxpayer accounts to private collection agencies (PCAs). These agencies may contact affected taxpayers directly about their tax debts. To protect taxpayers from collection scams, the IRS publishes information about the PCAs that are currently under contract with the federal government. Beginning September 23, 2021, the three PCAs with official IRS authorization for tax account collections ...are: - CBE Group, based in Waterloo, Iowa (phone 800-910-5837) - Coast Professional, Inc., based in Albion, New York (phone 888-928-0510) - ConServe, based in Fairport, New York (phone 844-853-4875) The IRS always sends a letter to taxpayers to inform them that their accounts have been referred to a PCA, showing the name and contact info of the PCA. If the PCA listed does not appear on the above list, the letter may be fraudulent and the taxpayer should call the IRS for more information. The PCA will also send a letter confirming that it has received the IRS referral. Both of these letters have detailed information to help taxpayers verify that any future calls or notices from the PCA are legitimate. PCAs under contract with the IRS are authorized to discuss payment options with taxpayers, but NOT to take enforcement actions like imposing a lien or levy. Taxpayers should always make payments only to the IRS or U.S. Treasury. A representative of an authorized PCA will never ask a taxpayer to make a payment directly to the PCA. The IRS advises taxpayers who receive suspicious calls from someone claiming to represent a PCA to end the calls, and instead call the PCA listed on their IRS notice directly.

Home Testing for COVID Is an FSA & HSA Eligible Expense Did You Know? The IRS recently reminded taxpayers that home testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a qualified medical expense for various medical spending and savings accounts. The cost of home testing may be paid or reimbursed with tax-protected funds from an eligible account. Specifically, you may use a health flexible spending arrangement (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or certain other cafeteria plans to pay or... receive reimbursement for testing expenses. Other COVID-related eligible medical expenses include the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. The equipment must be used primarily to prevent or reduce the spread of coronavirus in order to qualify for FSA, HSA or other medical cafeteria plan reimbursement. You can maximize the tax benefits of your FSA or HSA by making expenditures or accepting reimbursements at well-chosen times. A tax advisor can help you formulate the best strategy for using your account.

Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments - Reminder If you are making quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, the due date for the June 1 - August 31 quarter of the year is September 15, 2021. For payments made using IRS Direct Pay, you can make payments until 8PM EST, and for payments using a credit or debit card, payments can be made up to midnight on the due date.

IRS Announces New Tax Relief for Those Affected by Disasters The IRS has announced filing and payment deadline extensions for taxpayers affected by Hurricane Ida and the California wildfires. These tax relief measures include a later due date for taxpayers who requested a 6-month extension for their 2020 tax returns, and an extension for estimated tax payments. Some affected taxpayers may also qualify for a waiver of penalties. If you receive an IRS penalty notice but may qua...lify for disaster penalty relief, you can call the number on the notice to ask about an abatement. In general, the IRS offers various forms of relief to taxpayers in regions covered by federal disaster declarations. Relief programs include providing free transcripts of past tax returns to those whose records have been damaged or lost. To learn about federal tax relief measures in your region, visit the IRS Around the Nation webpage (link below) and click on your state. The IRS also reminds taxpayers of steps they can take to prepare for a disaster before it strikes. They include scanning paper records to create digital copies that can be stored in the cloud or on USB drives, and photographing rooms to document important belongings. If you or your loved ones have been affected by a disaster, a tax professional can help you determine your IRS relief rights. IRS Around the Nation Resource Page: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation

IRS Opens Address Change Portal for Advance CTC Payments Did You Know? The IRS recently added a new address change feature to the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) Update Portal (link below). This tool allows families who are receiving advance payments of the 2021 CTC to update the mailing address that the IRS has on file. It is especially important for families who get their advance CTC payments by paper check to update their address information. Otherwise, checks may be delayed... or even returned to the IRS by the post office. Households that receive their advance payments by direct deposit should also use the portal to report mailing address changes as soon as possible. The IRS will use the updated address information to mail important tax documents, including Letter 6419 in January. If you receive advance CTC payments, you will need this letter to complete your 2021 tax return and claim any remaining credit amount you are owed. For many taxpayers, the advance payments will only total about 50% of their allowed credit. You can also use the 2021 Child Tax Credit Update Portal to switch from paper check to direct deposit payments, change your direct deposit account information or opt out of advance payments for the rest of the year. The IRS will take changes reported by August 30 into account for the round of payments being sent on September 15. Changes reported after that date will affect the October 15, November 15 and/or December 15 payments. IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal: https://www.irs.gov/credits-/child-tax-credit-update-portal

Tracking Tips - Did You Know? For those that work in summer or other jobs that include tipping, the IRS recommends keeping a tips diary so that tips can be accurately reported on your tax return, to your employer, and as proof of tip income. The IRS provides a Form 4070A (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f4070a--2005.pdf) that can be used as a tip diary, or you can use a notebook to note down for the record:... - Cash tips you get directly from customers or from other employees. - Tips from credit and debit card charge customers that your employer pays you. - The value of any noncash tips you get, such as tickets, passes, or other items of value. - The amount of tips you paid out to other employees through tip pools or tip splitting, or other arrangements, and the names of the employees to whom you paid the tips.

Some Taxpayers May Choose to Unenroll from 2021 Advance CTC Did You Know? Millions of U.S. households received their first advance payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) in July. While these payments will help many families, some taxpayers may come out better by unenrolling from the advance payment program. If the advance payments add up to more than your total credit for 2021, you may end up owing tax for the year. In most cases, the IRS bases CTC advance payments on ...the taxpayer's 2020 federal tax return, or their 2019 return if their 2020 return has not been processed. Certain life changes during 2021 could reduce your CTC amount, or even make you ineligible for the credit. Therefore, you may wish to consider opting out of advance payments if any of the following occur: - A qualifying child who lived with you in 2020 (or 2019) will not live with you for more than half of 2021. - Your income increases significantly in 2021. - Your filing status changes in 2021. - You previously met the CTC residency requirement, but will not live in a U.S. state or D.C. for more than half of 2021. In this case, unenrollment may be required. You can also choose to unenroll from advance payments simply because you want to receive your entire 2021 CTC when you file your tax return in the spring. To unenroll for any reason, use the IRS Advance CTC Update tool (link below). Note that for married couples filing jointly, both spouses must unenroll from advance payments. If only one spouse opts out, the other will still receive monthly advance payments equal to half of the original payment amount calculated for the household. IRS Advance CTC Portal to unenroll: https://www.irs.gov/credits-/child-tax-credit-update-portal

IRS Warns Businesses About Tax Promoter Scams Did You Know? As part of the Dirty Dozen list of the worst tax scams of 2021, the IRS has issued multiple warnings to business taxpayers about tax promoters. These individuals and entities promise to help businesses claim large deductions and credits that will dramatically reduce their tax. Many tax promoters charge substantial fees for their services, which often involve schemes that violate IRS regulations. Some tax promoter... scams deal with the Research and Experimentation Credit, commonly called the Research & Development or R&D Credit. Promoters often mislead business owners into believing that they can claim sizable R&D Credits with relatively little effort. In reality, to legally claim this credit, a business must demonstrate that a designated research activity satisfies a long list of IRS requirements. In addition, the progress of qualified research activities, and all associated expenses, must be thoroughly documented over a period of time. Similarly, while conservation easements can provide legitimate tax deductions, tax promoters often peddle bogus syndicated easements based on phony partnerships. The IRS rejects many of these arrangements, and has recently stepped up enforcement of conservation easement rules. Tax promoters also push micro-captive insurance scams, pension plans that abuse international tax treaties, and shady methods to improperly defer capital gains on property sales. The IRS recently created a new Office of Promoter Investigations (OPI) to crack down on these and similar scams. Importantly, the OPI is authorized to pursue action against not only promoters, but also any businesses that participate in the scams. In general, if a tax-reducing scheme sounds too good to be true, it usually is. To protect your enterprise, check with a business tax professional about the rules and regulations before claiming any of these deductions or credits.

IRS Identity Protection PINs Did You Know? Beginning in 2021, the IRS now offers IP PINs to all interested taxpayers. Unlike a Social Security Number (SSN), this unique code is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. Having an IP PIN helps to protect you against others filing fraudulent returns in your name, along with other forms of tax-related identity theft. If you choose to obtain an IP PIN, you will need to include it on all electronic and paper IRS forms filed in 2021..., including your 2020 federal tax return. Thereafter, you will receive a new IP PIN each year by mail. Although there is currently no way to opt out of the program once you have registered and received a PIN, the IRS plans to allow opt-outs beginning with tax year 2022. The easiest way to apply for an IP PIN is to use the Get an IP PIN tool at http://www.IRS.gov/IPPIN. You will need to verify your identity by providing your legal name, birthdate, federal tax filing status, mailing address, and SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You will also need a financial account other than a checking or savings account, such as a major credit card, student loan, auto loan, mortgage, or home equity loan. If you have a mobile phone, you can request an activation code to receive your IP PIN instantly. Otherwise, the IRS will mail you the code you need to complete your registration and get your PIN. If you cannot complete the online verification process but your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $72,000 or less, you may file Form 15227 (Application for an IP PIN) by mailing or faxing it to the IRS. You can then use your most recent tax return to complete the verification process over the phone with an IRS agent. Otherwise, you can apply for an IP PIN in person by making an appointment at an official IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Summer Activities May Affect Your 2021 Taxes Did You Know? Both major life events and small changes to your work or family routines can have an impact on your taxes. These events and changes often occur during the summer, especially this summer with the economy reopening. If your life circumstances take either a planned or unexpected turn this summer, you may want to take a few extra steps to prepare for tax season next spring. If you get married, you should report any name... or address change to the Social Security Administration, IRS and post office to ensure that you receive important tax documents. If your child returns to in-person day camps or daytime education programs, some of the cost may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Make sure to save records of all fees paid. Seasonal and part-time work create a variety of record keeping and tax reporting considerations. If you are a student and do not earn enough money to owe federal income tax, you may need to file a 2021 tax return to claim a refund of any tax withheld from your pay. Those who earn side income from a part-time job or gig economy work may need to adjust their paycheck withholding for their primary job to make sure enough tax is withheld. You can use the IRS Withholding Estimator tool (link below) to check where you stand. Also keep in mind that income earned as a freelancer or independent contractor may be subject to self-employment tax. Figuring out whether you are officially an employee or an independent contractor can get tricky for temporary work. A tax pro can help you determine your status, and plan for self-employment tax if appropriate. IRS Withholding Estimator: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

IRS Begins Sending 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit Payments Did You Know? On July 15, the IRS sent the first round of advance payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) to over 30 million families. Qualifying households will receive monthly payments of up to $300 per child under age 6, and up to $250 per child age 6 through 17, through the end of 2021. The payment amount depends on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income (AGI). Generally, the advance payments will total half th...e CTC that the IRS anticipates for the taxpayer for 2021. The IRS is sending most CTC advance payments by direct deposit, so millions of taxpayers have already received their first payment. Paper checks are mailed in cases where the IRS does not have banking information for a qualifying family. It may take a week or more for mailed payments to arrive. Upcoming payments will be sent on August 13th, and on the 15th of September, October, November and December. The IRS will automatically calculate and send advance CTC payments to taxpayers who qualify and have done any ONE of the following: - Filed a 2020 federal income tax return - Filed a 2019 federal income tax return - Used the 2020 IRS Non-Filers Tool for Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) - Used the 2021 Non-Filers Signup Tool for Advance CTC (see link below). The IRS urges all potentially eligible Americans who are not required to file federal tax returns and have not yet used an online Non-Filers Tool to do so as soon as possible. If you filed returns for both 2019 and 2020 but the IRS has not yet processed your 2020 return, your advance payments will initially be calculated based on your 2019 return. Your monthly payment amount may change after your 2020 return is processed. You can also use the Advance CTC portal to check your CTC eligibility, update your banking information, or opt out of advance payments if you prefer to claim your entire credit when you file your 2021 tax return. IRS 2021 Advance CTC site, including Non-Filers Signup, Eligibility and Unenroll Tools: https://www.irs.gov//advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-

100% Business Deduction for Restaurant Food & Beverage in 2021 Did You Know? A special tax rule may enable many businesses, including sole proprietors and independent contractors, to take larger meal expense deductions in 2021 than the IRS usually allows. Ordinarily, deductions for food and beverage costs cannot exceed 50% of the actual expense. However, the 2021 rule enables businesses to deduct 100% of the cost of food and beverages from restaurants in certain cases begin...ning January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. The provision defines a restaurant as a business that prepares food or beverages for retail customers to consume on-site, pick up, or receive by delivery. This definition excludes most grocery and convenience stores, unless the store contains a separate restaurant or cafe area. In addition, facilities overseen or owned by the employer claiming the deduction, such as a workplace cafeteria, generally do not qualify as restaurants under this rule. In order for meal expenses to qualify for this special deduction, the following conditions must be met: - The business owner or an authorized employee is present when the food and/or beverages are provided. - The expense is paid to a restaurant, based on the definition above. - The food and beverage costs are not lavish or extravagant for the circumstances. The activity must also meet all the standard criteria for business meal deductions. A business tax advisor can help you determine whether your food and beverage expenses comply with IRS rules, and whether they qualify for a 100% deduction in 2021.

Giving Tuesday and Charitable Donations - Did You Know? Giving Tuesday is an annual event that highlights charitable giving after Thanksgiving. If you are considering charitable donations, you may be able to donate to a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) every two or three years instead of every year. This may qualify you to receive tax benefits now, allow the amount to grow tax-free, and the decision on which qualified charity to fund can be made later.... If you are 70.5 years or older, you may also be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA this year. QCDs may allow the donation to be deducted from your income. A tax advisor can help you structure your charitable giving. The IRS has released a tool to make it easier to get information about qualified charitable organizations. The Exempt Organizations Select Check tool can be found at: https://www.irs.gov/charitie/tax-exempt-organization-search.

Paying Estimated Tax to Avoid Penalties Did You Know? With more and more people deriving income from a variety of sources, including side jobs, self-employment and gig economy work, the IRS has reported a substantial increase in the number of Americans who underpay federal income tax during the year. Underpayment can lead to an unpleasant spring tax surprise, including substantial penalties and interest charges. If a significant portion of your income is not subject to pa...ycheck withholding, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid incurring an Estimated Tax Penalty for 2020. Common income types that may necessitate making estimated tax payments include: - Business income, which includes rental income, as well as income from self-employment and gig economy work (working for a rideshare service, mowing lawns, etc.) - Royalties and grants, including grants in support of artistic or educational endeavors - Interest, dividend and alimony payments - Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Social Security benefits It is critical for those who have received UI benefits in 2020 to learn whether they must make estimated tax payments before the year ends. Many state unemployment agencies have not withheld taxes from the federal $600-per-week federal UI benefit that was paid under the CARES Act from late March through July, or from the temporary $300 weekly federal UI payment recently implemented by Executive Order. Therefore, even those who had tax withheld from their UI benefits may not have paid enough in federal taxes to avoid penalties. The IRS encourages Americans who have received any form of non-employee income in 2020 to do a midyear tax checkup, and begin making estimated tax payments immediately if necessary. The third-quarter estimated tax payment deadline was September 15, 2020, but those who missed the deadline can minimize penalties by making a payment as soon as possible. Fourth-quarter estimated tax payments are due January 15, 2021, although taxpayers may generally skip the fourth-quarter payment if they file a 2020 return and pay all tax due by February 1, 2021. In most cases, taxpayers will avoid 2020 tax penalties if their paycheck withholding and/or estimated tax payments for the year add up to at least 90% of their 2020 tax, or 100% of their 2019 tax, whichever is lower. A tax professional can help you determine whether you need to make estimated tax payments this year, along with when and how much to pay. IRS online payment portal: https://www.irs.gov/payments

Renewing ITINs - Did You Know? Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers are used for taxpayers who are required for U.S. tax purposes to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but do not qualify to get a social security number. If you use an ITIN, you should check if it expires this year. If it does, information about how to renew your ITIN can be found at: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deduct//how-do-i-renew-my-itin. Keeping your ITIN current helps avoid tax refund and... processing delays. Taxpayers who have not used their ITIN to file a federal return at least once in the last three years will see their number expire Dec. 31, 2020. ITINs with middle digits 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99, that were assigned before 2013 and have not already been renewed, will also expire at the end of the year.

Watch Out for Disaster-Related Charity and Tax Scams Did You Know? The IRS has warned taxpayers about new and ongoing scams targeting both people affected by natural disasters and those seeking to help disaster victims. In many of these fraudulent schemes, the scammers impersonate IRS representatives or charitable organizations. SCAMS INVOLVING BOGUS OFFERS OF TAX ASSISTANCE... Taxpayers impacted by federally declared disasters like hurricanes and wildfires may qualify for various forms of tax relief, such as deductions for casualty losses. Knowing this, some scammers are calling taxpayers in disaster-affected areas, claiming to represent the IRS. They may say that they can help people get tax refunds or file claims for their losses. DO NOT give any money or personal or financial information to these scam callers. The IRS generally does not call taxpayers out of the blue about tax relief programs. Hang up on any unknown callers who say they can offer you disaster-related tax assistance. What to DO: To learn whether you qualify for tax relief or to seek help with other disaster-related tax issues like reconstructing lost records, call the IRS disaster assistance line directly at 866-562-5227. SCAMS INVOLVING BOGUS CHARITIES Unfortunately, many scammers try to prey upon generosity by posing as representatives of charitable organizations that help people affected by disasters. These fake charities may have official-looking websites with names similar to legitimate charities, making it difficult for consumers to spot the scam. DO NOT make an over-the-phone contribution without first making sure that the charity is legitimate. Also do not donate using forms of payment that cannot be tracked, such as wire transfers, gift cards or signing over a tax refund or stimulus check. Most importantly, do not give out personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN) or bank account numbers. What to DO: Ask for more information so you can check up on the supposed charity. One of the best ways to determine whether the caller is a scammer is to ask for the charity's Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can then search IRS records of reputable charities by entering the EIN into the Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool (link below). If you determine that it is safe to donate, pay by check or credit card so you will have a record of the payment. You may also wish to ask the caller to direct you to the charity's website, so that you can donate through a secure online portal rather than over the phone. IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/.

Social Security Tax Deferral May Change Your Withholding Did You Know? An Executive Order issued in August allows U.S. employers the option to defer collection of the employee's share of Social Security tax between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The employee's share of this tax makes up the majority of paycheck withholding labeled as FICA on most worker pay stubs. Importantly, the Executive Order only authorizes DELAYED collection, rather than an actual reduction ...or temporary elimination of the tax. Most employers that choose not to withhold Social Security tax during the specified four-month period will need to collect the deferred tax through extra withholding after January 1, 2021. In other words, employees of these companies will have less money withheld from their paychecks this fall (resulting in increased net pay), but their net pay may decrease for several months after January 1 due to makeup withholding. For this reason, many employers have opted to continue withholding all FICA taxes as usual. The simplest way to determine whether your employer might be deferring Social Security tax collection is to save your pay stubs from August, and compare them to your pay stubs during the fall. If you see no significant change in your FICA withholding and net pay, then your employer has most likely opted out of delayed withholding. On the other hand, a decrease in the withholding amount and increase in your net pay may indicate that Social Security tax has not been withheld. You can check with your company's payroll department to make sure. Some companies may offer employees the choice to individually opt out of deferred withholding. However, under the Executive Order, deferred withholding may be mandatory for military and federal government employees with incomes below specified limits. If your Social Security tax withholding is delayed under this program, you may wish to take steps now to prepare for a potential increase in withholding and decrease in net pay during early 2021. For example, you could set aside the extra money you receive each pay period this fall as savings. A professional tax and financial advisor can help you explore other options to ensure that you are prepared for any possible upcoming changes to your net pay.

Lifetime Learning Credit Did You Know? The IRS Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) can offer substantial tax savings for students or their parents, especially for students who have previously completed four years of higher education. If you paid tuition and school fees in 2020 for yourself, your spouse or a dependent, you may be able to claim an LLC of up to $2,000 on your 2020 tax return. Generally, you may only claim the credit for one member of your household per year. Studen...ts currently taking post-secondary education classes at eligible higher learning institutions may qualify for this credit by meeting BOTH of the following criteria: - They are or were enrolled in higher (post-secondary) education classes for at least one 2020 academic period. An academic period can be a semester, quarter, trimester, summer session, or any other coursework session defined by the school. - The student is taking these higher education classes in pursuit of a degree or other recognized certification, or to acquire or improve job skills. In addition, the taxpayer claiming the credit (usually the student or the student's parent or guardian) must meet the program's income restrictions. Taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $58,000 or less ($116,000 or less for joint filers) generally qualify to claim the full credit. Taxpayers with a MAGI between $58,000 and $68,000 ($116,000 and $136,000 for joint filers) may receive a reduced credit; those with higher incomes cannot claim the LLC. Although the LLC may only be claimed once per tax return, there is no limit to how many times students can qualify for the credit during their lifetimes. Before claiming the LLC for a student in your household, however, check whether the student qualifies for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The AOTC has higher income limits and a higher maximum credit amount ($2,500). In addition, unlike the LLC, the AOTC may be partially refundable if your tax is reduced to less than zero. For students who do not qualify for either the AOTC or LLC, it may still be possible to claim an above-the-line income deduction for tuition and fees. A professional tax advisor can help you determine your eligibility for these valuable education tax credits and deductions.

IRS Extends Deadline to Register for Stimulus Payments Did You Know? The IRS has extended the deadline for some Americans to register to receive their 2020 coronavirus Economic Impact Payments (EIPs, also called stimulus payments). The new deadline of midnight on November 21, 2020 primarily applies to those who are not required to file federal income tax returns, and also have not yet registered for or received their EIPs. Those who meet these criteria are urged to use the ...IRS online non-filers registration tool (link below) to submit their information and receive their EIPs as soon as possible. Choosing the direct deposit option will speed up the payment process. Generally, those who do not provide banking information for direct deposit will receive their stimulus payments by check. Note that for most people who are required to file a 2019 tax return but requested an extension, the deadline to file remains October 15. Federal return filers who qualify for EIPs generally receive their payments automatically; no separate registration is required. Beginning two weeks after they register to receive a payment, those who qualify for EIPs can track the status of their payments by using the online Get My Payment tool (link below). IRS EIP Registration Tool for Non-Filers: https://www.irs.gov/coro/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here IRS Get My Payment EIP Tracking Tool: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Extensions and FBAR Deadline - Did You Know? For taxpayers who requested extensions to file various 2019 returns, the filing due date for those returns is October 15, 2020. This deadline applies to multiple filings that were originally due on April 15, 2020. (For most of these forms, the filing due date without an extension was subsequently changed to July 15, 2020 by the IRS due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) The October 15 deadline to file under an extension applies to several ...common returns, including: 2019 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES: Most individual taxpayers who requested an automatic extension to file their 2019 federal tax returns must file by October 15. However, additional extensions may be available to some taxpayers affected by recent disasters, including hurricanes and western wildfires. 2019 CORPORATE INCOME TAXES: The October 15 deadline also applies to C corporations that requested an extension to file their 2019 corporate income tax returns (Form 1120). FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNT REPORT (FBAR): Many U.S. taxpayers, including individuals and businesses, must file an annual report of their foreign bank and other financial accounts, called an FBAR. Typically, filing an FBAR is necessary if the total value of a taxpayer's foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. However, certain accounts, such as those held within a qualified IRA or other retirement plan, may not need to be reported. Most taxpayers who are required to file a 2019 FBAR and have not yet done so must file by October 15. Remember that in general, an extension to file tax returns is NOT an extension to pay any tax due. Therefore, those who have not yet filed but expect to owe 2019 tax should estimate the amount they owe and pay that amount as soon as possible, even if they will not file their returns until October 15. Immediate payment will minimize any interest charges and late payment penalties. A tax professional can help you determine how much to pay and/or if an FBAR is required.

AOTC Tuition Credit Offers Tax Savings for Students or Parents Did You Know? If you, your spouse or any of your dependents are currently enrolled in a higher education program, or were enrolled for a previous academic period in 2020, you may qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The AOTC program allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit for tuition costs and certain school fees. To qualify for the credit, a student must be taking post-secondary classes ...at an eligible higher learning institution, in pursuit of a degree or other recognized certification or credential. In addition, students must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements: - They are or were enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period (as defined by the school) in 2020. - They had not completed their first four years of higher education as of January 1, 2020. - Neither the AOTC nor its predecessor, the Hope credit, has been claimed more than four times total for the student, including the current year. - The student and the person claiming the credit (if different from the student) must have a valid taxpayer identification number (TIN) before the due date for the tax return. Additional eligibility criteria may apply to both the student and the educational institution. To claim the full credit, taxpayers must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $80,000 or less for individuals, or $160,000 or less for couples filing jointly. A reduced credit may be available for individual taxpayers with a MAGI between $80,000 and $90,000 (between $160,000 and $180,000 for joint filers). Those with higher incomes may not claim the credit. The maximum allowed credit per eligible student is $2,500, up to $1,000 of which may be refundable. You may claim the credit for multiple students in your household if they all meet the eligibility standards. For students who do not qualify, you may still be able to claim either the Lifetime Learning Credit or an above-the-line income deduction for tuition and fees. A tax professional can help you determine which credits and/or deductions provide the greatest tax benefit for you.