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New Member
posted Jan 29, 2021 9:36:15 AM

I’m filing my taxes and says I don’t have a federal refund and I got unemployment this year

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2 Replies
Level 15
Jan 29, 2021 9:40:31 AM

Unemployment comp is taxable, but you may not have had enough withheld for taxes from it..  However, it is not earned income and thus does not qualify for the EIC.

Important reminders before filing 2020 tax returns | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Level 3
Jan 29, 2021 9:42:31 AM

You may not be entitled to a refund this year, and could in fact owe tax if you received unemployment and did not have tax withheld from those payments or had too little tax withheld.  Unemployment income is taxable income.  

 

You don't file your tax return to get a refund, contrary to popular opinion.  You file to reconcile the amount you have paid or had withheld throughout the year with your true liability.

 

If your only income was unemployment and you failed to have tax withheld from it, then you could very well owe tax this year if you made more than your standard deduction.  If you made less than the standard deduction, then you won't have a refund because what would there be TO refund, if you never paid anything in to begin with?