The 2022 tax season has arrived.
The Internal Revenue Service begins accepting and processing 2021 tax returns on Monday, January 24, 17 days earlier than the late start of last tax season on February 12.
However, you may not yet have everything you need to file your case.
(If you have tax questions, feel free to fill out this form, which is also found below. USA TODAY will answer readers’ top questions during the 2022 tax season.)
This tax season you will need to be aware of some key issues: there will be differences in how unemployment benefits are handled compared to 2020 filings. You will also need to consider child tax credit advance payments , refund of recovery rebate credit and a special break for charitable contributions, among others.
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As you begin to prepare your returns, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Will there be tax delays due to COVID?
The IRS is warning that a resurgence in COVID-19 infections in addition to lower congressional funding authorization than requested by the Biden administration could make this filing season particularly challenging.
“The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS is reminding people that there are important steps they can take to ensure their tax return and refunds don’t experience processing delays,” the IRS commissioner said. the IRS, Chuck Rettig.
Avoiding a paper tax return will be more important than ever this year to avoid processing delays, he said.
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What’s the fastest way to get a refund?
Rettig urged taxpayers to file their taxes electronically and get their refunds by direct deposit. The IRS says refunds can be directly deposited into bank accounts, prepaid debit cards or mobile apps as long as a routing and account number is provided, the IRS said.
When should I receive my W-2 2021?
W-2s must be mailed no later than January 31. According to the IRS, a 2015 law made it mandatory for employers to provide copies of their Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Returns and Form W-3, Transmission of Wage and Tax Returns, with the social security administration before January 31.
When is the tax filing deadline in 2022?
The deadline for filing 2021 tax returns is Monday, April 18 for most people, three days later than the normal April 15 deadline for filing taxes.
The later date is the result of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia. By law, in Washington, DC, holidays affect tax deadlines for everyone the same as federal holidays. Taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19 to file their return due to a holiday celebrated in those states, Patriots’ Day.
The IRS has extended the deadline to May 16 for victims of Colorado wildfires in late 2021 as well as victims of December tornadoes in parts of Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. The extension applies to various personal and corporate tax returns and tax payment deadlines.
What is the deadline for filing a tax extension?
April 18 is also the deadline to request an extension, giving taxpayers until October 17 to file their returns for 2021.
Am I eligible for the IRS Free File?
If your adjusted gross income was $73,000 or less in 2021, you can use free tax software to electronically prepare and file your tax return, following the IRS online instructions for tax season. 2021.
Taxpayers who earned more can use the free fillable forms, the electronic version of federal tax forms, to file their tax returns online. Go to IRS.gov to learn more.
When should I expect my tax refund in 2022?
The IRS expects most taxpayers to receive refunds, as in previous years. Most should receive them within 21 days of e-depositing them if they choose direct deposit (and there are no issues with their returns). Last year’s average federal reimbursement was over $2,800.
However, by law, the IRS cannot issue refunds involving the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit until mid-February, although taxpayers can still file earlier than that.
Can I track my refund with the “Where’s my refund” tool like in the past?
The IRS says using “Where’s my refund?” at IRS.gov/refunds and the IRS2Go mobile app are the best ways to check the status of a refund. You can check the status within 24 hours of receiving your electronic return or four weeks after submitting a paper return.
However, the agency said the website and app “will be updated with expected filing dates for most first-time refund filers (earned income tax credit/additional tax credit for child) by February 22”.
IRS tax stimulus checks for 2022? Maybe with Recovery Rebate Credit.
Some people may want to file even though they are not required to do so to claim a recovery rebate credit or the 2021 stimulus payments.
According to the IRS, people who were not eligible for a third economic impact payment or who received less than the full amount may be eligible to claim the recovery rebate credit. For those who have received money, the IRS says you will need to know the total received to calculate the correct refund credit to avoid processing delays.
The IRS will send letter 6475 beginning in late January with the total amount of the third economic impact payment received. Economic impact payment amounts can also be viewed on IRS online accounts.
Child Tax Credit Payments: Do I Need IRS Letter 6419 to File My Taxes?
Some families may want to wait a bit when it comes to filing until they spot IRS letter 6419, which can help them file an accurate return and avoid delays. Others who don’t want to wait may need to review their own records and verify their specific information on the “Child Tax Credit Update Portal Site” at IRS.gov/ctcportal.
Will unemployment benefits come with tax relief in 2022?
Unlike last year, special tax relief does not exist up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits. The temporary tax relief only applied to people whose adjusted adjusted gross income was less than $150,000 in 2020 and those who also received unemployment benefits last year.
This year, unemployment benefits received in 2021 will be taxable on the 2021 federal income tax return.
Contributor: Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press; Russ Wiles, Arizona Republic; Associated press
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