I received a check on December 31,2019. Is there any way to push this money into 2020 taxes?
Not legally, no. With that check physically in your hand on or before Dec 31 of the tax year, that means you had physical access to, and control of that money in 2019.
I now owe 3,800 in taxes.
So what's the big deal? If you owe $3,800 in taxes just for that check, then it tells me you received a check in excess of $10,000. So before you do "ANYTHING" take $3,800 out of that check and pay the IRS immediately if not sooner. As late as your post is, you can expect to pay an underpayment penalty too unless what you owe the IRS is less than 10% of your total tax liability.
Now if you actually deposited that check on or after Jan 2, you could probably "get away" with pretending you recevied the check on or after Jan 2 and treat it as 2020 income. In my opinion, the chances of the IRS finding out otherwise or even "suspecting" anything, are zero percent.
Now if that extra $10,000 does "NOT" put you in a higher tax bracket, I'd go ahead and claim it for what it really is, 2019 income. If I did that, there "could" be a chance that my "actual" 2020 income would put me in a lower tax bracket for the 2020 tax year. I'd also be able to have a clear conscience. 🙂
