Under the new stimulus bill that is due to come out, they approved the exemption of taxable unemployment benefit income for $10,200.
I have my taxes completed but not filed because I have been waiting for this legislation. When/How will Turbotax handle this? Or will the state provide an amended 1099 form?
Nothing has passed Congress so there has been no changes to the tax code.
The legislation only would affect a federal tax return. The various states that tax unemployment compensation would have to make changes to their own tax codes and only if they so desire.
TurboTax nor any other tax preparation software company can do anything until After
You clearly didn't understand my question. I KNOW nothing can be done NOW, as the tax laws haven't changed. That is why I said I am waiting to file until this legislation goes into law. My question is AT THAT TIME what happens? Does the turbo tax software algorithm get updated instantly to reflect the unemployment income exemption? Or perhaps does the state issue a different 1099 for the unemployment income. I'd like to file asap and get it over with and pay what I owe but I know this legislation will lessen what I owe.
@Njdre80 wrote:
You clearly didn't understand my question. I KNOW nothing can be done NOW, as the tax laws haven't changed. That is why I said I am waiting to file until this legislation goes into law. My question is AT THAT TIME what happens? Does the turbo tax software algorithm get updated instantly to reflect the unemployment income exemption? Or perhaps does the state issue a different 1099 for the unemployment income. I'd like to file asap and get it over with and pay what I owe but I know this legislation will lessen what I owe.
Once the legislation passes nothing changes instantly for any tax preparation software. TurboTax cannot change anything in their software until the IRS issues the rules and regulations which can take weeks or months. Then the IRS must approve any type of changes that is needed to comply with the new regulations. Then and only then would the software changes be released to the public.
I already have filed my taxes. Looks like in the future I will now need to amend them on the first 10,200 untaxable unemployment income. I understand it has to become law and the implications after that. Will Turbotax email us and let us know when this becomes available as an option? Will it be free of charge? Thank You.
I think I understand your question. The state will likely not issue a new 1099 because the information will not be any different. The same amount of gross money minus whatever deductions you may have opted for with the state occurs. The difference will come when the IRS writes the code and Turbotax implements it. As the other fellow said, that could take weeks - there's no deadline. I'm hoping that TurboTax sends a notice, but who knows? It's causing a lot of us to wait until the last minute. I'd rather file for an extension than file an amended return, but I understand your feelings. I At least there will be some temporary relief for those of us dealing with closed industries when it's all said and done.
Actually, state tax for CA will also adjust as the $10,200 federal deduction for unemployment affects AGI. So now that it is virtually certain that the bill will be signed by Biden, when will/how will Turbo tax make the adjustments and what will be the options for users?
Until the IRS issues official guidance, it is not our position to speculate.
For the most recent updates at TurboTax, check: American Rescue Plan: What Does it Mean for You and a Third Stimulus Check | The TurboTax Blog
I am sure Turbo Tax will include $10,200 exemption in one of their updates as soon as IRS passes the new guidance to them. I am pretty sure this will not take months as someone here speculated. Why? This ruling is straightforward. It does not exclude any group of people, has no special situations attached. Could be just one sentence - "exclude first $10,200 from taxation of unemployment compensation" . No way something that simple would take weeks or months. I have my taxes ready to file but will wait till Intuit updates the software.
The bill has not been signed into law yet, but once it is, TurboTax will be updated to reflect the changes in tax law. And it won't take months 😉 @valsvet
It has been nearly a month since Governor Hogan signed the bill to make MD unemployment non-taxable and nothing has changed in TurboTax. It seems likely that MANY people will need to file for an extension or file an amended return. Why is there such a delay in updating this within the software? If it has been nearly a month for MD, isn't it likely that it could take that long, or longer to make the changes for federal, meaning it is unlikely to be done in time for timely tax return filings?
The delay is about federal taxes, not state taxes. So unless you want to file state taxes without filing federal taxes first (not recommended), you'll want to wait until Turbotax updates its program to include that. The federal bill was just signed this morning 3/11, so give it some time.
Thank you for your response. I did not think that it would take turbo tax weeks to months to update either and I appreciate your clarification.
POTUS signed the American Rescue Plan today.
Some of the changes are for 2021 tax year, but some may be retroactive.
Unfortunately, now that it is law, the IRS has to get busy and put it into the IRC tax code. Once they get it into the tax code, then they will let the public know what has to be done to get the benefits.
The IRS will provide guidance on how you can claim these additional benefits as soon as they are able.
For more information, please refer to the following link on the new stimulus package:
How will the new stimulus package impact me
@jdre80 Once new legislation is passed into law and the IRS provides us with guidance on how we need to provide them with the necessary information, we will work quickly to update TurboTax.
The IRS, and most states, consider unemployment payments as taxable income. This means that you have to pay tax on unemployment payments and report them on your return. With this new law, if your household income is less than $150,000, the first $10,200 of unemployment will be tax-free, but any amount you receive above that will be taxed.
@Stingwcw1999 Payment files will go out this weekend and the bank account effective date will be Wednesday, 3/17/2021. The IRS is expected to release further information on Friday, 3/12/2021.
You don’t need to do anything to get your stimulus check. The IRS will determine eligibility based on your last tax return (either 2019 or 2020) and will likely send your payment to the bank account where your tax refund was deposited. If you haven’t filed your 2020 return yet, you can do that now to give your most recent information to the IRS, including bank account or address information, to help ensure your stimulus check goes to the right place.
Where's the harm in just decreasing the amount of unemployment income equal to the amount excluded by the new statute when entering the information into the program as it currently functions?
So for those of us who filed before the bill was signed, will Turbotax email us with information once the software is updated in case we need to file an amended return?
I agree, particularly if the State involved (e.g., CA) doesn't tax unemployment benefits!
Because we don't know yet how the IRS (and states already have changes pending) is going to handle the income. You can of course file the way you want. But considering the delays in processing that all of these changes are going to take, I personally, would not risk it. There are people that still have not received 2019 refunds. Filing too early may put your return in a status that could delay it by months. And if it gets delayed, there will be nothing you can do to speed it up. Even though you can e-file amendments this year, there were be millions, so why risk it? @Marc-1
And yes, you will receive communications from TurboTax once the changes are implemented. @B Camp
Here is an example of how Turbo Tax and/or the IRS can include the exemption of unemployment benefits by updating and adding a new simple Worksheet Form. When determining the taxable income from 1099G, start with Box 1 the gross amount (i.e. 19,500) then answer a question for which State, Box 2 subtract the Exempt Amount ($10,200) and Box 3 Total Taxable Amount (i.e. $9,300) to report on the applicable tax return. Basically, it's a no brainer. The entire tax code is filled with hundreds of worksheets. This would be the quickest way to update the programs and avoid any further delay for people to file as soon as possible. Although it's simple mathematics to all of us, a worksheet has to be saved in the tax file for legitimate reference. By simply subtracting $10,200 you can delay the processing of your return because the IRS computers have to be updated to avoid spitting out letters of unreported income. That's the only reason the IRS CODE has to be revised. However, the IRS knew it was coming and should have been ready to roll as soon as the President signed the bill. And, bottom line it's only for 2020 tax year.
The IRS has published instructions for claiming the $10,200 exclusion (essentially treating it as a deduction). TT has yet to update the software.
Thank you. At least I knew I was on the right track before reading your post and clicking on the link. It all came down to a Work Sheet just as I thought it should be. Of course, TT has to update if using their tax software.
Hello to TT: Let's get going and stop posting you are waiting for the IRS. The IRS is ready.
What if someone already paid unemployment taxes when the unemployment was paid out (and that tax withheld shows on the 1099-G)? Will those taxes that were already paid be returned to the user if the user received less than $10,500 in unemployment?
@rsd22 wrote:
What if someone already paid unemployment taxes when the unemployment was paid out (and that tax withheld shows on the 1099-G)? Will those taxes that were already paid be returned to the user if the user received less than $10,500 in unemployment?
You will have to amend your 2020 tax return to get the unemployment compensation exclusion. But not until the IRS provides guidance.
After the legislation has passed Congress and after the President has signed the legislation and after the IRS has written the rules, regulations and procedures. And after the IRS has changed any forms or schedules to accept the tax code changes. And after the IRS has approved the changes in the TurboTax program that apply to the tax code changes, then it will be available for the users of the tax preparation software.
This can take anywhere from several weeks to several months before it becomes available.
See this TurboTax support FAQ for information on the American Rescue Plan - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859