2020 Tax Year Preparation

The world breathed a collective sigh of relief when 2020 finally came to a close and the calendar flipped to January of 2021, but there’s one last part of 2020 still to be wrapped up: taxes. Like many things in 2020, your taxes may look different this year thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic. To name a few, unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, small business loans, and new jobs. Here is what you need to know to be prepared to file 2020 taxes.

The IRS announced tax season won’t start until February 12th this year. While the start date has been pushed back, the deadline remains unchanged at April 15th. Like the rest of us, the IRS is under additional stress due to the pandemic. They recommend filing electronically and using direct deposit for the fastest refund. So, what will you need to file your taxes this year?

First, you’ll need to assemble all your documentation. Start with a copy of last year’s return, which you can obtain through the IRS online portal, or through any tax software you may have used to file. This will provide you with a reference point as you move through the filing process. Next, gather any tax-related documents such as W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, account statements, and receipts if you plan to itemize expenses. With these in hand, you have much of the information you’ll need to file. However, due to the unique circumstances many found themselves in during 2020, you may need additional info to accurately file this year.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who received unemployment benefits in 2020, you’ll need form 1099-G “certain government payments.” Since unemployment income is taxable it must be reported. Taxes are not automatically withheld from unemployment benefits, and many people are unaware they will owe taxes on their received benefits.

Unlike unemployment benefits, the coronavirus stimulus checks, or Economic Impact Payments, are not taxable and do not have to be reported as income on your 2020 tax return. Those who were eligible but didn’t receive a payment or only received a partial payment may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when filing 2020 taxes. According to the IRS, “Eligible individuals who did not receive the full amounts of both Economic Impact Payments may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR.”

2020 saw millions of people transition to remote work. If you opted to work remotely in a different state than your primary residence, this may introduce an additional wrinkle to your taxes. While each state has their own rules on when a nonresident must file taxes in the state, workers are typically required to file taxes in the state of their residence as well as the state where they work.

For business owners who received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), remember that deductions cannot be made for expenses paid using money that was forgiven under the PPP program. While there was some confusion when the program was first announced, the Small Business Administration has since clarified that “double dipping,” as it is often referred, is not permissible.

The information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used, and should not be used, as the sole basis for legal and/or tax advice. Individuals should seek and rely upon the guidance and advice of their own legal and tax counsel before making any decisions regarding any planning, investment, tax concepts or strategies discussed herein. Individual circumstances may vary and results discussed are no guarantees of applicability or future performance.

Certain of our representatives are Certified Public Accountants with the accounting firm Bowen-Crowe Group, LLC which is affiliated with Marietta Wealth Management. To the extent that these representatives provide accounting services, which may include tax advice, to any clients, including our advisory clients, all such services shall be performed by those representatives, in their individual professional capacities, independent of our advisory firm, for which services we shall not receive any portion of the fees charged by the representative, referral or otherwise. It is expected that these representatives, solely incidental to their practices as accountants, recommend our advisory services to certain of their clients. No client of Marietta Wealth Management is under any obligation to use the accounting services of these representatives. Our Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding this potential conflict of interest.