Everything you need to know about tax relief implemented for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019

by Mounica Kota | Apr 2, 2020 | COVID - 19, HSA, IRA, IRS, state tax, tax deadline, Tax Exception, Tax regulations

Everything you need to know about tax relief

implemented for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019

The dreadful coronavirus disease has taken a toll on the global economy. Businesses are suffering from losses and employees are losing their jobs. In such a situation, tax compliance is an additional factor of stress on the common people and business entities as well. In such difficult times, the US Government has taken an initiative and introduced certain changes to federal tax laws.

Extension in federal tax deadlines

The US Department of Treasury and the IRS issued Notice 2020-17on 18th March 2020. According to the guidelines of this notice, there has been an extension in the deadline for payment of federal income tax or federal tax return. Any taxpayer having a federal income tax payment or federal income tax return due on 15th April 2020 can file the returns by 15th July 2020. This extension of 90 days has been provided by the IRS without charging any penalties or interest for late filing. This tax relief is applicable for all taxpayers who include individual, trust, estate, partnership association, corporation, etc.

The affected taxpayers do not need to file the forms Form 4868 or Form 7004. Also, there is no limitation on the amount of payment that might be postponed. This relief on taxes is applicable for the Federal Income tax and Federal tax return of 2019 and for the estimated federal income tax payment of 2020 which were due on 15th April 2020. However, no extension has been announced for the filing of any other type of federal income tax or federal tax return.

Extension in State tax deadlines

The majority of the States have agreed to the tax changes implemented by the Federal Government and have responded accordingly. However, there are some states which have responded differently to these tax changes implemented by the Federal Government. Taxpayers can obtain all information related to the changes in State tax laws from their state tax agencies.

Contributions to IRA

With the changes in the deadlines for tax payment and filing of tax returns for the federal tax, the deadline for making contributions to IRA has also been extended. The deadline for making contributions to the IRA has been also extended to 15th July 2020. This extension of 90 days for making contributions to the IRA has been provided by the IRS without charging any penalties or interest.

Taxpayers can contribute a maximum amount of $6000 towards their IRA and if the taxpayer is above the age of 50 years then there can be an additional contribution of $1000.This is an excellent opportunity for the taxpayers to save more for their retirement if they have not done so.

Contributions to HSA

Along with the extension made in filing federal tax payments and federal tax returns up to 15th July 2020, the deadline for making contributions to HSA has also been changed to 15th July 2020.

In case if the taxpayer is having a high –deductible health insurance plan with an HSA then he can add up to $3500 if he has self-only coverage. This amount can be increased to $7000 in case of family health plans. In the case of the taxpayer being above the age of 55, a contribution of an additional $1000 can be made into the account.

The stimulus package and

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Stimulus package will help the taxpayers in obtaining stimulus checks. These stimulus checks would of amount $1200 for the individual taxpayers, $2400 for those who are filing tax returns jointly and $500 for each qualifying child. These payments related to the stimulus package would be done by using the tax information of the taxpayers based on their recent tax filings. The amount which would be paid would be reconciled on the next year’s tax return based on the taxpayer’s situation in 2020.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act helps in providing relief to the individual taxpayers as well as self-employed individuals and small businesses. The eligible employees who have been impacted by the coronavirus would receive emergency sick leave and paid sick leave.

Under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), if an employee needs to be quarantined, took care of a family member who was quarantined or took care of minor children whose schools/child care centers are closed due to COVID-19 can avail 12 weeks of job-protected leave. Also, if an employee is himself seeking medical supervision or is being quarantined then he would be eligible to receive two weeks paid sick leave and two-thirds pay for the care of the family member/child.

Furthermore, self-employed taxpayers and small business owners can obtain tax credits for providing paid sick leave and emergency family medical leave to the employees. Self-employed taxpayers can obtain a tax credit which is equivalent to the qualified sick leave amount whereas they can obtain a refundable tax credit equivalent to 100% of a qualified family leave amount. Small business owners are eligible to obtain refundable tax credits equivalent to 100% of both the qualified paid sick leave and qualified family leave wages.

Conclusion

Hence, with the implementation of these tax relief strategies by the US Government the stress of the taxpayers would be reduced up to some extent until things return to square one.

References

How high deductible health plans would help in providing cover against COVID-19 expenses?

by Mounica Kota | Mar 31, 2020 | COVID - 19, federal government, HDHP, HSA, Relief notice 2020-15, tax deadline, Tax Extension, Tax Payers, taxes, US Government

How high deductible health plans would help

in providing cover against COVID-19 expenses?

Lately, people across the world have been struggling hard to combat the dreadful effects of the pandemic COVID-19. The number of deaths occurring due to coronavirus is on an increase and is also leading to an increase in the fright of the common people. Any symptoms of the COVID-19 and there have to be several tests, quarantining without any idea about what the future holds.Amidst all this chaos, the US Government has taken some very necessary steps to lessen the stress among common people. Extension in the tax return filing and tax payment deadlines, extension in the deadline for making contributions to IRA and HSA, Tax stimulus package, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, etc. are some of the major changes implemented by the US Government to bring some relief to the impacted taxpayers. Another major initiative taken by the US Government for helping the common people is the implementation of testing /treatment of COVID-19 by HDHP with no deductible or sharing of the cost.

What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)?

What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)?

A high deductible health plan (HDHP) is a type of health insurance plan which has a lower premium in a month and a higher deductible. HDHPs are more affordable by common people in terms of their monthly premiums. Since the name suggests, high deductible health plan; it implies that the deductible for the health plan is high than that of a traditional healthcare plan. However, by the time the policy holder reaches the annual deductible, he would be covered 100% for the rest part of the calendar year.

A high deductible health plan is suitable for those policyholders who are quite healthy and rarely visit the doctor. In these types of cases, HDHP is an excellent option to cut expenses and it is a better option rather than going without health insurance. However, it should be kept in mind that the policyholder must set aside a considerable amount of liquid savings which would help in covering the deductible and the out-of-pocket expenses.

How does a High Deductible Health Plan work?

How does a High Deductible Health Plan work?

The minimum deductible in an HDHP is $1350 for an individual whereas it is around $2700 for a family. The out-of-pocket expenses for an HDHP are limited to $6650 for an individual and $13300 for a family. To offset the cost of the HDHP it is necessary to open a Health Savings Account (HSA). The HSA offers a tax-advantaged method by which healthcare costs can be saved.

There is a limit on the annual contribution which can be made to the HSA; it helps in rolling over the balance from one year to another. It is ideal for a policyholder to contribute the amount of deductible of HDHP into the HSA so that there are enough funds to cover the medical expenses.

HDHPs and expenses associated with COVID-19

HDHPs and expenses associated with COVID-19

The US Government issued a notice i.e. Notice 2020-15 which states that a health plan which satisfies the requirements to be a high deductible health plan (HDHP) shall not fail to be an HDHP if it provides health benefits related to the testing of COVID-19 and its treatment. This testing and treatment of COVID-19 by the HDHP would be available without a deductible or with a deductible which is below the minimum deductible. So, the evident implication from this notice is that an individual who is covered under the HDHP will still be an eligible individual who might make tax-favored contributions to an HSA.

The Notice 2020-15 also states that all the medical care services received and the materials purchased for the testing of COVID-19 which are provided by a health plan which is either without a deductible or with a deductible that is below the minimum deductible needed for a health plan to be HDHP should be disregarded.

The relief provided by the Notice 2020-15

The relief provided by the Notice 2020-15

This notice does not modify any of the requirements or conditions which are needed for a health plan to be an HDHP other than the relief related to the testing/treatment of COVID-19. However, vaccinations would continue to be considered as preventive care materials for determining if a health plan is an HDHP or not.

So, if a policyholder is availing a health plan with no deductible or less deductible than the minimum annual deductible needed to be an HDHP for testing/treatment of COVID-19 he would still make contributions to the HSA which can help in tax relaxation.

Conclusion

Hence, this effort by the US Government for providing some relief to the affected citizens is commendable and would be helpful for the citizens in these times of distress.

References

When you file your 2019 tax return will impact your stimulus payment?

by Mounica Kota | Mar 30, 2020 | Adjusted Gross Income, COVID - 19, federal income tax, income tax credit, SSN, tax filing, Tax Payers, tax return, taxes, US Government

Calculate your Stimulus Eligibility

When you file your 2019 tax return will impact your stimulus payment?

File your 2019 tax return will impact your stimulus payment, The pandemic COVID-19 continues to have a huge impact on the citizens of the USA. The Federal Government has been taking several steps to alleviate the burden that the common people might be facing due to this dreadful disease. One major step taken by the US Government to help out the common people in easing tax-related stress is by the passing of a $2 trillion stimulus bill. This bill includes a provision by which several citizens of the country would receive stimulus cheque from the Federal Government.

Eligibility for obtaining stimulus cheque

You can qualify to obtain the stimulus cheque from the Federal Government if the below-mentioned conditions are met.

If you are a US resident who is single and have an adjusted gross income which is less than $99,000.
If you file your tax returns as the head of the household and earn an amount below $136,500.
If you are filing your tax return jointly without any children and would earn an amount less than $198,000.

How to obtain the stimulus cheque

For obtaining a stimulus cheque, a person should have a Social Security number and should be the residents of the United States. The amount you can receive as a stimulus cheque is based on the adjusted gross income (AGI) that has been listed in your latest tax returns.

The IRS would be using the direct deposit information that you have provided during filing your last tax returns. In case your bank details have not been mentioned while filing the last return, the IRS would send the cheque to the recent address it has. It is also advisable to notify the IRS if you have shifted your house recently.

Factors affecting the stimulus payment

There are some major factors which can affect your stimulus payment such as

Filing status-If you are single you can receive $1200 as your stimulus payment, but for a married couple who are filing the income tax returns jointly the stimulus payment is $2400.

Size of your family-The stimulus payment also depends on the size of your family and for every child of yours who is below the age of 17 years; the stimulus payment is an additional $500.

Dependent-In case if you are claimed as a dependent on the tax returns of someone else then they would not be receiving any stimulus payment.

Level of your income-If you have a high income, the stimulus payment depends on the level of your income. For a married couple filing returns jointly, the stimulus payment starts reducing if the AGI exceeds $150000 and the same thing can occur for taxpayers who are single and their income exceeds $75000.

However, there is another factor is important in determining the stimulus payment and that is whether the tax returns for the year 2019 have been filed or not.

When are you filing your 2019 tax return?

Firstly, the IRS would always check out for tax returns related information for the year 2019 for making the stimulus payment. If there is no information available for the year 2019, the IRS would use the information for the year 2018.

In case, you have a Social Security Number but do not need to file the tax return then your stimulus payment would be done based on the information present in Form 1099-SSA.

This can be utilized as an opportunity by several taxpayers and if you have not filed or prepared your tax returns of 2019, then he can take into consideration the variables like Adjusted Gross Income, family size, etc. to determine higher stimulus payment to occur in which the year 2018 or 2019.

If, you feel that the payment was better in 2018 than you would hold on to that information or else if the returns of 2019 tend to yield more results then you should file your returns immediately.

Moreover, you must also consider any refund which you might obtain from the 2019 tax returns. It is quite obvious that you will have to make a decision i.e. either a large refund now and a smaller stimulus or larger stimulus immediately and the same refund after some months.

Stimulus payment can be said as an advanced payment which you would make against the actual credit that will be computed on the tax returns of 2020.

In case your advance payment done is less than what you would owe while computing the tax returns of 2020, then the excess would be obtained as a credit on the tax returns.
However, if advance payment is greater than what you owe while filing 2020 returns then there is no procedure to repay the excess amount or in recognition of the excess amount as income.

Conclusion

Hence, your stimulus payments are highly determined by when you are filing your tax returns. If you have not filed your tax returns for 2019 yet then you must consider if the tax return filing would either increase your stimulus payment or decrease it and then pursue your actions accordingly.

References

https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2020/03/26/when-you-file-your-2019-tax-return-will-impact-your-stimulus-payment/#32168a96b9dc

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bigger-stimulus-check-waiting-file-123220996.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-stimulus-checks-heres-everything-you-need-to-know.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-26/when-and-how-will-i-get-that-1-200-stimulus-payment-quicktake

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/coronavirus-stimulus-check-is-official-find-out-if-youre-eligible-for-up-to-1200/

https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/how-to-get-a-stimulus-check-from-the-us-government-which-could-pay-up-to-1200-if-you-qualify/articleshow/74837139.cms

People First Initiative: Everything you should know about this IRS initiative during the COVID-19 outbreak

by Mounica Kota | Mar 30, 2020 | COVID - 19, IRS, Tax Extension, Tax Payers, Tax Refund, tax savings, US Government

People First Initiative: Everything you should know about this IRS initiative during the COVID-19 outbreak

The number of people affected by COVID-19 is going on increasing very rapidly and so are the challenges, issues faced by the common masses. In such a situation, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) has announced a series of steps and guidelines which would help common people in providing some relief related to tax payment compliance. The IRS is highly concerned about the well-being and the working together of people.

The People First Initiative of the IRS has the main objective of helping those people who are facing economic issues and uncertainty in payment of taxes. This program implements temporary changes to the various IRS activities beginning on 1st April 2020 through 15th July 2020. These changes in the tax processes have been made temporarily by the IRS to help people and business entities during these difficult times.

The new changes made by IRS include several issues which are ranging from the postponement of specific payments that are related to the Installment Agreements and Offers in compromise to the limiting of some enforcement activities.
While some of the activities have been suspended temporarily other activities would move in the modified manner up to a maximum extent.
Moreover, the IRS also would avoid any in-person contacts during this period.

Major areas highlighted under the People First Initiative

The major areas which have been mainly given importance under the People First Initiative are

A.Installment Agreement and Offers in Compromise payments

The IRS has offered expanded payment relief for the existing Installment Agreements and accepted the applications related to Offers in Compromise (OIC) until 15th July 2020. But, taxpayers must also be aware that any unpaid balances will get interest accrued on it as per the law.

For those installment agreements which already exist, the payments that are due between 1st April 2020 and 15th July 2020 are suspended. The IRS would not charge any default installment payment during this time. Those taxpayers who might find compliance with the Installment payment agreement and also with the Direct Debit Installment Agreement can suspend their payments during this time.

However, if a taxpayer is making the tax payments by mailing it or by visiting the IRS website then it is quite simple to stop the procedure. But, in case of direct debit payment, it might be difficult to suspend the process. Taxpayers will have to log in to the IRS website and change the payment information associated with the Direct Debit option.

B.Offers in compromise (OIC)

The various stages of OICs in which the IRS is helping the common people to resolve their issues are summarized below.

Pending OIC Applications–The IRS will not be closing any pending OIC requests before 15th July 2020 without obtaining consent from the taxpayers.

OIC Payments–Taxpayers will have the option by which they can suspend all the payments until 15th July 2020 on those OICs which have been accepted.

Delinquent return filings–Any delinquent return filings are pending for 2018 then the taxpayers must complete them by 15th July 2020.

New OIC Applications–Those taxpayers who have liabilities more than their net worth then the OIC process can be designed by using “Fresh Start” to resolve the issues of outstanding liabilities.

C.Compliance Actions

It has not been made clear from when the IRS would start the operations listed below. However, the IRS will not pursue any compliance actions unless those actions are necessary for the protection of the Government’s interest.

New automatic system liens and levies would be suspended during this duration.
Liens and levies which have been initiated by field revenue officers would be suspended during his time. However, the field revenue officers will keep on continuing high-income non-filers and would perform other such types of similar activities.
For seriously delinquent taxpayers, IRS would suspend new certifications to the Department of State during this period. This certification will prevent the taxpayers from receipt or renewal of passports.
If there are new delinquent accounts, then they will not be forwarded by the IRS to private collection agencies for performing the work during this period.
New audits will not be carried off by the IRS during this period.
The current audits might continue in some capacity but all those that happens in-person meetings are suspended.

D.Independent office of appeals

The Appeals office will continue their work on their cases. Appeals would not currently hold an in-person conference with the taxpayers. The conferences can be held over the phone through videoconferencing. Taxpayers can respond to any outstanding information request for all the cases in the Independent office of appeals.

E.Statute of Limitations

The IRS would take necessary steps for the protection of all applicable statutes of limitations. There can be instances where the statute expirations may be jeopardized during this period and taxpayers are encouraged to co-operate in the extension of such statutes.

Conclusion

Hence, the People First Initiative is mainly dedicated to helping the common people in having better lives during this period of crisis. The IRS team is committed to helping common people to get through this stressful situation. The IRS would keep on reviewing the “People First Initiative” and would make necessary changes whenever required. The taxpayers must extend their support and co-operation to the IRS as well to win over this tough situation together.

References

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-unveils-new-people-first-initiative-covid-19-effort-temporarily-adjusts-suspends-key-compliance-program

https://www.eisneramper.com/people-first-covid-0320/

https://www.taxwarriors.com/blog/irs-unveils-people-first-initiative

https://rsmus.com/what-we-do/services/tax/federal-tax/tax-controversy/irs-announces-its-people-first-initiative-ir-20-59.html

https://www.foxrothschild.com/publications/irs-people-first-initiative-changes-collections-procedures/

What are the tax relief initiatives taken by the IRS for self-employed taxpayers during COVID-19?

by Mounica Kota | Mar 28, 2020 | COVID - 19, federal government, FFCRA, global income tax, IRS, self employed, Tax Extension, Tax Payers, taxes, US Government

What are the tax relief initiatives taken by the IRS

for self-employed taxpayers during COVID-19?

The US Government has recently made changes into the tax filing timelines as an effort to provide some relief to the taxpayers who are already suffering due to the outbreak of pandemic COVID-19. These changes were jointly announced by the US treasury and the IRS and are applicable for individual taxpayers, businesses and even self-employed taxpayers.

The US Government has extended the income tax filing deadline to 15th July 2020. The IRS would be processing the refund process for all the taxpayers within the normal time frame which is around 21 days for those filing the tax returns by electronic medium or by direct deposit.

Tax-filing extensions for self-employed taxpayers

Tax-filing extensions for self-employed taxpayers

The tax filing timeline has been extended for 90 days without the payment of any penalty and this change is also applicable on the estimated tax payment for the year 2020 which was also due on 15th April 2020.

For self-employed taxpayers, if there is a filing of the quarterly estimated tax then first-quarter filing must be due by 15th April 2020 previously. The timeline for the filing of the first quarter estimated tax has now been extended to 15th July 2020. However, for the other quarters, the filing dates remain unchanged such as the tax filing deadlines remain 15th June 2020, 15th September 2020 and 15th January 2021 for the second, third and fourth quarters.

The Families First Coronavirus Act

On 18th March 2020, the US President signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Act which is the initial coronavirus relief bill. This Act provides several benefits to self-employed taxpayers and small-business owners.

1.Comparable tax credits for self-employed individuals

a.If a self-employed individual is affected by the coronavirus, then by this Act he is eligible to claim a refundable credit against the bill of his federal income tax including the self-employment tax hit. In case the credit is more than the bill amount then the Government will issue a payment for the excess to the taxpayer.

b.This refundable credit will equal to the sum of 100% of the self-employed individual’s sick leave equivalent and 67% of the sick leave equivalent amount needed for taking care of a family member who is sick or for taking care of the individual’s child due to the closing of the child’s school or child care center.

c.The sick leave equivalent amount would equal to lesser among the below-mentioned

average daily self-employment income of the individual or
$511 each day for up to 10 days for self –care due to the COVID-19 or $200 each day up to 10 days for the care of a sick family member or child after the latter’s school has been closed due to COVID-19.

d.Moreover, self-employed individuals can claim a family-leave credit due to COVID-19 up to 50 days. The amount of this credit would be equal to the number of the qualified family day leaves multiplied with the lesser amongst $200 or the individual’s average daily self-employment income. The maximum total family-leave credit permissible is $10,000 which is equal to 50 days multiplied with $200 per day.

e.These credits which can be availed by the self-employed individuals are allowed only for the days during a particular period which is specified by the Treasury up to 31st December 2020. The beginning date is most likely to be within 15 days of the date this Act became a law i.e. 18th March 2020.

f.The self-employed individuals must maintain proper documentation needed to claim these credits.

2.Small Business Owners Tax Credits

A small business owner is eligible to collect a tax credit which is equal to 100% of the qualified emergency sick-leave and family-leave payments made by him under the Families first coronavirus Act.
This credit would only cover those leave payments which are made during the period specified by the Secretary of the Treasury up to 31st December 2020.
This credit can also be increased for providing cover to a portion of the small business owner’s qualified health-plan expenses which can be allocated for emergency sick-leaves and family-leave wages.
However, this credit would not be available for those employers who are already receiving the pre-existing credit for paid family leave and medical leave under IRS Code Section 45S.

Conclusion

Hence, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 the self-employed individuals and small business owners have also suffered from certain economic and financial disruptions. The attempt of the US Government to bring certain relief to these taxpayers by changing tax laws and by passing the Family First Coronavirus Act is sure to be successful.

References

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/self-employed/what-the-coronavirus-relief-means-for-self-employed-taxpayers-46585/

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-the-family-first-coronavirus-relief-bill-means-for-small-business-owners-and-self-employed-people-2020-03-21