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Writer's pictureSumiko Glenn

What you can do now to get ready to file taxes in 2021

Updated: Jan 5, 2021

There are a few things you can do now to make sure your tax filing experience goes smoothly in 2021.


Check your withholding and make any adjustments soon

Since most taxpayers typically only have a few pay dates left this year, checking your withholding soon is especially important. It's even more important for those who:

• Received a smaller refund than expected after filing their 2019 taxes this year.

• Owed an unexpected tax bill last year.

• Experienced personal or financial changes that might change their tax liability.

Some people may owe an unexpected tax bill when they file their 2020 tax return next year, if they didn’t have enough withheld throughout the year. To avoid this kind of surprise, taxpayers should use the Tax Withholding Estimator to perform a quick paycheck or pension income checkup. Doing so helps them decide if they need to adjust their withholding or make estimated or additional tax payments now.


Gather tax documents and keep them for at least three years

Everyone should come up with a recordkeeping system. Whether it's electronic or paper, you should use a system to keep all important information in one place. Having all needed documents on hand before you prepare your return helps you file a complete and accurate tax return. This includes:

• Your 2019 tax return.

• Form W-2 from employers.

• Form 1099 from banks and other payers.

• Forms 1095-A from the marketplace for those claiming the premium tax credit.

• Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation

• Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment.

Most income is taxable, including unemployment compensation, refund interest and income from the gig economy and virtual currencies. Therefore, you should also gather any documents from these types of earnings. You should keep copies of tax returns and all supporting documents for at least three years.


Confirm mailing and email addresses

To make sure forms make it to you on time, you should confirm now that each employer, bank and other payer has your current mailing address or email address. Typically, forms start arriving by mail or are available online in January.


Remember these new things when preparing for the 2021 tax filing season

• You may be able to claim the recovery rebate credit if you met the eligibility requirements in 2020 and one of the following applies to you:

- You didn't receive an Economic Impact Payment in 2020.

- You are single and your payment was less than $1,200.

- You are married, filed jointly for 2018 or 2019 and your payment was less than $2,400.

- You didn’t receive $500 for each qualifying child.

• Taxpayers who received a federal tax refund in 2020 may have been paid interest. The IRS sent interest payments to individual taxpayers who timely filed their 2019 federal income tax returns and received refunds. Most interest payments were received separately from tax refunds. Interest payments are taxable and must be reported on 2020 federal income tax returns. In January 2021, the IRS will send a Form 1099-INT, Interest Income to anyone who received interest totaling at least $10.


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