Have you signed up for our exclusive offers?

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Impact on 2020 Tax Return

 

Albina Demollari

 

Published March 18, 2021

 

 

As the pandemic hit hard in 2020, millions of Americans received unemployment benefits. They are now filing their 2020 tax return and are being positively affected by the recent tax law change. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) that President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021, provides significant pandemic relief to those who received unemployment, and affects their 2020 tax return as well. Under the new legislative provisions, the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits will be nontaxable for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $150,000 (for both single and married taxpayers), meaning more tax savings will go into their pockets.

 

It is mid-tax season though, and taxpayers are wondering how this change will affect their tax return. Moreover, thousands of taxpayers have already filed their taxes and have been hit with a surprise tax bill on their unemployment benefits they received in 2020. In this busy reality, many of them do not even know that this change exists, so awareness of their right to claim a refund and communication about further steps is crucial, so that the affected taxpayers take advantage of the tax waiver that they are eligible for.

 

The new legislative provisions affect the tax filing process of both, the unemployed workers who have already filed their 2020 taxes, and those who have not filed yet. Depending on their situation, there arise some questions.

 

  • How does the new tax law change affect those who have already filed their 2020 taxes?

 

Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2020, and have already filed their 2020 tax return, are advised to “not file amended returns related to the new legislative provisions or take unnecessary steps at this time.” (IRS, March 12, 2021) The benefits apply retroactively, and taxpayers will receive them, as soon as the IRS determines the implementation plan and issues additional guidance.

 

  • How does the new tax law change affect those who haven’t filed their 2020 taxes yet?

 

Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2020 and haven’t filed their taxes yet are advised to wait for the current tax software to update and support the recent law change. If they file now, they may have to file an amended return later to claim a refund, which may be a headache compared to waiting to do it right the first time.

 

  • How will those who have already filed their 2020 taxes claim a refund?

 

Taxpayers who have already filed their tax return are wondering how they will claim a refund. Should they file an amended income tax return, or should they wait for the IRS to correct it? Currently, “The IRS emphasizes taxpayers should not file an amended return at this time, until the IRS issues additional guidance (IRS statement, March 12, 2021).” Therefore, the affected taxpayers should wait for additional guidance from IRS and further notice from their tax preparer or their tax software provider.

 

  • As we are in mid-tax season, how long should taxpayers wait?

 

Hopefully, they will not have to wait too long. The IRS is reviewing the new legislative provisions, is cooperating with the tax software providers to update their software, and is in the process of issuing additional guidance to make them effective quickly.

 

To conclude, as things stand right now, taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2020 and have not filed their taxes yet, are advised to wait for tax software to update. Taxpayers who have already filed their taxes are also strongly urged to wait and to not file an amended return right now.

 

In light of these developments, the IRS has just extended the tax filing deadline to May 17, 2021, giving all involved parties sufficient time to put new tax law changes into effect.

 

 

*Disclaimer: This information is correct as of 3/18/2021. It is based on IRS statements. Best efforts are made to include correct information, however, the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. For updates, check www.irs.gov.