I received a signing bonus last year when I joined a company for $25,000 in October of 2020 but received only $19,000 with $6,000 roughly taxed. In the contract I had to promise to pay back signing bonus if I left the company within 1 year of starting the company. I left the company in December of 2020 but the company forgot to mention it to me when I left in December and they are asking me to pay back the amount when they first realize it this year January 2021. They want me to pay back the entire amount of $25,000 or promissory note to pay back within two years in installments. My question is if I pay back the $25000 this year, before doing 2020 taxes can I get the $6,000 back this year when I file federal return or am I going to get back the $6,000 next year when I file for 2021 taxes since the loss is year 2021.
