The Third Stimulus Checks are Here
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the third round of Economic Impact Payments will begin reaching Americans over the next week. Following approval of the American Rescue Plan Act, the first batch of payments will be sent by direct deposit, which some recipients will start receiving as…
What’s the Recovery Rebate Credit?
There's a new tax credit showing up on the Form 1040 this year: The Recovery Rebate Credit. If you didn't get a stimulus check – or you only got a partial check – then you certainly want to make sure you check out the credit before you file your 2020…
How Your Third Stimulus Check Will Differ From the First Two Payments
A third stimulus check can't arrive soon enough for people who are struggling financially. But even though we're oh so close to seeing that happen, we're not quite there yet. On Saturday, the Senate passed President Biden's American Rescue Plan, which authorizes a third round of stimulus checks. However, the House…
Will Your Stimulus Check Increase Your Tax on Social Security Benefits?
We've had two rounds of stimulus checks so far – and another round is right around the corner. It's nice getting unexpected money, and for some people it's a life saver. Whatever your situation, we hope you're able to put the money to good use. Third Stimulus Check Calculator But many seniors…
IRS Extends April 15 and Other Tax Deadlines for Texas and Oklahoma Residents
Victims of February's winter storms in Texas and Oklahoma can wait until June 15, 2021, to file their 2020 federal income tax return. This announcement from the IRS follows a disaster area declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for those two states. Taxpayers in other states impacted by the storms…
IRS mails 260,000 failure-to-file notices, but admits many likely are wrong
What's worse than getting an Internal Revenue Service notice? Getting a wrong IRS notice. That just happened to potentially more than a quarter million taxpayers. The IRS last week acknowledged that it sent approximately 260,000 taxpayers notices that they had failed to file return for the 2019 tax year. Some, perhaps…
States with No Estate Taxes or Inheritance Taxes
New Mexico Getty Images Overall Rating for Taxes on Retirees: Not tax-friendly. Sales Tax: 5.125% state levy. Localities can add as much as 4.313%, and the average combined rate is 7.83%, according to the Tax Foundation. New Mexico's tax is a gross receipts tax that covers most services. Groceries: ExemptClothing: TaxableMotor Vehicles: Exempt from ordinary…
Can You Claim the Home Office Deduction on Your 2020 Tax Return?
People working from home because of the pandemic are wondering if they can get a tax deduction out of it. It depends on your employment status. Like millions of other Americans, you may have worked from home a lot last year because the coronavirus closed your office. Sure, you probably…
When Can You File Your Taxes This Year?
The sooner you file your tax return, the sooner you'll receive any refund due (and, this year, you might also boost your next stimulus check). That's why some people like to file their return as early as possible. But this year, the IRS won't start accepting 2020 tax returns until February…
Tax deductions, no itemizing required, on Schedule 1
I've always done my taxes. When the hubby and I married, I continued this annual task, now filing our joint return. The only change is that every tax season the hubby periodically peers over my shoulder as I work on our return and chants, "Deduct! Deduct! Deduct!" Although taxes aren't…
