Irs Announces Tax Filing Start Date New Tax Day This Year
The Internal Revenue Service has announced a start date for this years tax season.
The nations tax agency will start accepting and processing 2021 returns on Monday, Jan. 24. You generally do not have to wait to file 2021 returns and can do so when ready but the IRS wont start processing returns until Jan. 24.
The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund dont face processing delays, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said. Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid delays.
Having all information needed for the returns will be critical this year, the IRS, and included in that is information on 2021 stimulus payments and child tax credit payments. The IRS is currently mailing letters to recipients of both payments that will detail the amount the taxpayer received.
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There Are Several Important Dates Taxpayers Should Keep In Mind For This Year’s Filing Season:
- IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through Free File partners tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
- Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
- IRS begins 2021 tax season. Individual tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.
- Projected date for the IRS.gov Where’s My Refund tool being updated for those claiming EITC and ACTC, also referred to as PATH Act returns.
- First week of March. Tax refunds begin reaching those claiming EITC and ACTC for those who file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns.
- Deadline for filing 2020 tax returns.
How Do Tax Brackets Work In Ontario
In Ontario, tax brackets are based on net income for income tax purposes. There are 5 tax brackets:
First: $45,142 or lessSecond: $45,142 up to $90,287Third: $90,287 up to $150,000Fourth $150,000 up to $220,000Fifth: $220,000 and over
Each tax bracket has a different rate of tax associated with it. If your net income falls in the second bracket, you will be taxed on the rate for the first bracket for the first $44,740, and the second bracket for the balance.
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Key Information To Help Taxpayers
The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 million calls from January 1 May 17, more than four times more calls than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from free assistance at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly locations across the country to the availability of the IRS Free File program.
“Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels,” Rettig said. “We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way for taxpayers to get the information they need.”
Last year’s average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional April tax deadline.
Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever possible.
This Calendar Should Help Familiarize You With Canadas Key Tax Deadlines:
Canadian Tax Year – Key Dates
Get your key dates for the Canadian tax year in our calendar
This calendar should help familiarize you with Canadas key tax deadlines:
First day of new tax year.
Deadline for contributing to an RRSP for the 2020 tax year.
EFILE service is closed for maintenance.
E-filing open for resident and immigrants in Canada for 2020 tax year.
Last day to issue T4s, T4As and T5s to employers and CRA .
15 March 2021, 15 June 2021, 15 September 2021, 15 December 2021
Instalment payments due dates for 2021.
Deadline to set up a pre-authorized debit payments for 2020 to avoid interest charges.
30 April 2021
Filing due date for 2020 tax returns for individuals and pay balance due, if any to the CRA.
15 June 2021
Filing due date for 2020 tax returns for self-employed in Canada. In case of balance owing for 2020, it still has to be paid before 30 April 2021.
Last day of tax year.
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All You Need To Know Is Yourself
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Accountants Concerned About Decision Not To Extend The Deadline
Ball says hes concerned about the CRAs decision to stick with the April 30 deadline this year.
The U.S. announced in March it would extend its federal folding and payment deadline from April 15 to May 17. And in Canada, Revenue Quebec said it will not start charging interest or imposing penalties until May 31, 2021.
Weve been discussing with the federal government for several months now, Ball says. But so far, Ottawa isnt budging.
Extending filing deadlines this year would risk interrupting essential credit and benefit payments for millions of Canadians payments on which thousands of Canadians rely, the CRA told Global News in an emailed statement.
The agency also said it is monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country and has expanded payment arrangement options.
Still, Ball says many professional tax-fillers are under tremendous strain this year. On one hand, tax pros are facing an onslaught of new, pandemic-related tax and benefits provisions. The federal wage and rent subsidy programs for businesses, for example, require monthly applications, which is resulting in extraordinary workloads for many accountants, according to Ball.
On the other hand, some of the small and medium-sized accounting firms are facing staff shortages due to sickness, personal issues and stress, he says.
We were really hoping that the government would make an announcement to give people more time.
How Will The Cra Changes Impact Your 2021 Income Tax Bill
I will show two scenarios to explain the tax implication of these changes.
Scenario one:
John works in a retail company and earned $50,000 in 2020. His company was significantly impacted by the pandemic. Hence, he got no hike in pay. His 2020 federal tax bill, without adjusting for any tax benefits, was $7,581. His 2021 federal tax bill will reduce by $27 to $7,554, because of the change in the income tax bracket.
If I include the BPA adjustment, Johns federal tax bill will reduce by $114 from $5,597 in 2020 to $5,483 in 2021.
Scenario two:
If I include the BPA adjustment, Wandas federal tax bill will increase by $911 from $5,597 in 2020 to $6,508 in 2021.
I only took the BPA tax credit for the ease of calculation. The more tax credits you apply, the more your tax bill will reduce.
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Turbotax Federal Free Edition
Like H& R Block, TurboTax has a Free tax filing option that allows you to file your federal return and one state return for free. However, the free option only supports simple returns with form 1040. The free option includes one free state return. TurboTaxs free option supports form 1040 with some child tax credits.
Remember These Tax Filing Dates
Apart from the opening date of tax-filing season, the IRS also outlined important closing dates.
You have until approximately Tuesday, April 15, to file your 2021 returns.
If you have tax software or work with a tax professional, it might be worth filing your returns now, or at least getting all the paperwork ready. Of course, these third parties are still subject to the same filing dates as everyone else, but having everything sorted will lead to a stress-free tax season.
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Get Started Now Irs Urges
The IRS hopes the earlier starting date will allow the agency to get a head start on processing, which IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig described as a “massive undertaking” in a statement released by the agency.
“IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several months to prepare,” Rettig said. “The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund don’t face processing delays.”
The IRS is mailing special notification letters to recipients of American Rescue Plan Economic Impact Payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments noting the amount received.
To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:
You can use a bank account, prepaid debit card, or mobile app for direct deposit. You will need to provide routing and account numbers.
How Can I File My Taxes
The IRS accepts tax returns filed one of two ways:
A reported 88% of individual tax returns are e-filed per year. Any tax return filed by a tax professional in an H& R Block tax office, using the H& R Block tax software, or through the H& R Block online filing program is usually e-filed. However, you can always choose to have your return printed to mail yourself.
E-file is the quickest filing method and typically helps you receive a tax refund faster.
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Free File Available January 14
IRS Free File will open January 14 when participating providers will accept completed returns and hold them until they can be filed electronically with the IRS. Many commercial tax preparation software companies and tax professionals will also be accepting and preparing tax returns before January 24 to submit the returns when the IRS systems open.
The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns electronically to minimize errors and for faster refunds as well having all the information they need to file an accurate return to avoid delays. The IRS’s Free File program allows taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2021 to file their taxes electronically for free using software provided by commercial tax filing companies. More information will be available on Free File later this week.
Filing If You Received Covid
The CRA and Service Canada processed more than 27 million Canada Emergency Response Benefit applications, totaling more than $81 billion in payments to Canadians. The CRA also processed more than 2 million Canada Emergency Student Benefit applications that totaled more than $2 billion in payments.
If you received CERB, CESB, Canada Recovery Benefit , Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit , or Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit payments, you will have to enter on your return the total of the amounts you received. You will receive a T4A and/or a T4E tax slip in the mail with the information you need for your return. You can view tax slips online as of February 8, 2021 in My Account. Residents of Quebec will receive both a T4A and RL-1 slip from the CRA, however, the RL-1 slip will not be available for viewing in My Account.
The CRA recognizes that receiving these slips might generate questions for Canadians. Individuals who believe they received a T4A or a RL-1 by mistake or believe there may be discrepancy with the information provided on these slips should contact the CRA.
If you received the CERB or CESB, no tax was withheld when payments were issued. If you received the CRB, CRSB, or CRCB, 10% tax was withheld at source. For Quebec residents who received the CRB, CRSB, and CRCB, 5% of the tax withheld will be reported on the T4A slip and the other 5% will be reported on the RL-1 slip.
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Dont Miss The Tax Filing Deadline
When you work in the US, youll be taxed on your income and if you earn over a certain amount, you must file a tax return. In 2020 for example, if you are under 65 and single, you must file a tax return if you earn $10,350 or more. The deadline for filing your 2020 tax return is April 15, 2021. You must prepare it and post it to the IRS.
A File Taxes Online With Tax Software
If youve used tax software in the past, you already know how to prepare and file taxes online. Many major tax software providers offer access to human preparers, too.
TurboTax, H& R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer, for example, all offer software packages or support options that come with on-demand, on-screen or online access to human tax pros who can answer questions, review your return and even file taxes online for you.
The IRS Free File program can get you free online tax preparation software from several tax-prep companies, including major brands. You must have less than $72,000 of adjusted gross income to qualify.
» MORE:See our picks for the year’s best tax filing software
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File Electronically And Choose Direct Deposit
To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.
Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/forms .
Key Dates For The 2021
The 2021-2022 tax year is upon us. For those who have earnings outside of PAYE, this means maintaining business as usual in the face of truly unprecedented economic uncertainty. However, its easier said than done when
5 Minute Read
The 2021-2022 tax year is upon us. For those who have earnings outside of PAYE, this means maintaining business as usual in the face of truly unprecedented economic uncertainty.
However, its easier said than done when youre faced with ever-changing tax legislation and HMRC penalties should you submit your Self Assessment tax return incorrectly. Its for this reason that mapping out the certain tax dates ahead of April 2021 is essential if you intend on staying on the right side of the taxman.
The key dates in the 2021-2022 tax year include the 6th April 2021 the start of the tax year and payment, registration and submission deadlines on 31st July, 5th October, and 31st October and 31st January. Read on to discover more about each of them, as well as what qualifies for Income Tax.
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How Do I Prevent Fraud
It’s easy to procrastinate filing your taxes, but putting it off makes you more vulnerable to fraud. If a scammer gets hold of your Social Security number and you haven’t filed a tax return yet, they could easily file a fake one in your name to get a refund.
Scam calls are ubiquitous during tax season. Keep in mind that if the IRS needs to get in touch with a taxpayer, it sends a letter not an email, not a phone call, and definitely not a message over social media. Especially when it’s investigating cases of tax fraud or performing an audit.
Never return a phone call from someone claiming to be with the IRS. Instead, individuals should call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040, and businesses should call 800-829-4933.
The US Department of Justice says the IRS never discusses personal tax issues through unsolicited emails or texts, or over social media. Always be wary if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS who says you owe money.
If you receive an unexpected and suspicious email from the IRS, forward it to .
