2020 tax return Archives - JT Tax Services

The May 17 deadline to file your taxes is almost here, so it’s worth keeping in mind that even if you can’t pay your taxes in full, you still have to file on time. If you have difficulties paying your taxes in full this 2021, don't worry. Keep reading to learn more about your options.

File Your Taxes by May 17 Even if You Can’t Pay Your Tax Bill in Full

April 21, 2021

The May 17 deadline to file your taxes is almost here, so it’s worth keeping in mind that even if you can’t pay your taxes in full, you still have to file on time. If you have difficulties paying your taxes in full this 2021, don’t worry. Keep reading to learn more about your options.

Make Sure to File by May 17

First off, make sure to file by the May 17 deadline to avoid a failure-to-pay penalty. If you can’t file your return by the due date, you can request an extension that will give you until October 15, 2021, to file your return. If you do get an extension, remember that this is an extension to file, not an extension to pay, so you still have to pay at least a portion of your taxes by May 17.

Pay as Much as Possible by May 17

If you can’t pay your taxes in full, you should still file your return by the May deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. In some cases, the IRS is able to waive penalties, but not the interest charges on unpaid tax bills. Throughout this process, you may find useful to seek the assistance of a tax professional who can offer guidance and advice.

Set Up a Payment Plan

If you cannot pay your taxes in full by May 17, you can also set up a payment plan to pay your tax bill in more manageable installments. You can apply for a payment plan online or using Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request. Also in this case, the assistance of tax professional can prove invaluable to ensure that the process is agile, fast, and stress-free.

Need Help With Your Taxes? Contact the Experts at JT Tax Services

Do you need help filing your 2020 tax return? Do you want to learn more about Economic Impact Payments? At JT Tax Services, we give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with all regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us today by email (info@jttaxservices.com), telephone (805-984-8890), or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services.

This Christmas, Beware of Hacking Attempts

By: UNIKO Media Group

December 24, 2020

Christmas is the merriest season of the year, but it also offers ideal conditions for hacking attempts. Keep reading to learn why you should be especially careful these days, and what steps you can take to protect your data.

Why Are Hacking Attempts Common During the Holidays?

The holidays, and in particular the days around Christmas, have become a hunting ground for hackers looking to steal personal information. This phenomenon is caused by a combination of circumstances that favor cyber-criminals:

Many employees are on vacation, which means that many companies have to let their guard down.
People are more willing to open unsolicited emails, especially if they promise holiday deals/discounts.
The holiday season offers myriad opportunities to trick unsuspecting victims through email: virtual greeting cards, invitations, and other holiday-related content.

How to Protect Yourself

In order for most hacking attempts to succeed, you must be tricked into performing certain actions, such as clicking on a link or downloading a file. This means that being cautious when you use the internet is your best line of defense. Other steps you can take include:

Use safe passwords. Choose passwords of at least eight characters that include a mix of upper and lower case, special characters and numbers.
Use multi-factor authentication. When available, use this feature, where a website asks you for two pieces of information before granting access. This is not a silver bullet but makes hacking attacks less likely.
Be extremely careful with links and attachments. These are the resources that hackers use more often, so don’t click on a link or download an attachment unless you know the sender.
Backup your data. In itself, this doesn’t prevent hacking attacks, but it can make all the difference if you can’t access your data after a breach.

More Tips About Taxes

Learning more about taxes is always a smart move, as it helps you avoid fines and missed deductions. Here are some previous posts you may find interesting.

Contact the Experts at JT Tax Services

Need help preparing your taxes? At JT Tax Services we have the experience, the knowledge, and the drive to assist you. We give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with all regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us today by email, telephone, or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

3 New Things to Consider When You File Your 2020 Tax Return

By: UNIKO Media Group

December 18, 2020

This year has been out of the ordinary from every point of view, including taxes. There are some new things you should consider when you file your 2020 tax return. Keep reading to learn more.

Recovery Rebate Credit

You may be able to claim this credit if you met the eligibility requirements for an Economic Impact Payment 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.

Refund Interest Payment

If you received a federal tax refund in 2020, keep in mind that interest payments are taxable and must be returned on your 2020 federal tax return. Next January, the IRS will send a form to any person who received interest payments of at least $10 during the last year.

New Charitable Deduction

If you don’t itemize your deductions, you can take this year a new charitable deduction of up to $300 for donations made during 2020 to qualifying institutions. If you are interested in this deduction, check out this previous post where we take a closer look at this interesting topic.

Finally, remember that you shouldn’t rely on receiving your refund by a certain date. This is particularly important if you are planning to make a big purchase or pay important bills. While the IRS processes tax returns as soon as possible, some returns require more time, so your refund may take longer than you expect.

More Tips About Taxes

Learning more about taxes is always a smart move, as it helps you avoid fines and missed deductions. Here are some previous posts you may find interesting.

Contact the Experts at JT Tax Services

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us today by email, telephone, or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

4 Steps You Can Take to Start Preparing Your 2020 Tax Return

By: UNIKO Media Group

November 25, 2020

December is almost here, the best season to celebrate and also the ideal moment to start working on your 2020 tax return. Here are four steps you can take now to ensure that the process is as easy and simple as possible.

Check Your Withholding

First, make sure that your tax withholding is correct. This can be done easily using the Tax Withholding Estimator from the IRS.

Checking your withholding is important because it helps you avoid unexpected tax bills when you file your 2020 tax return. These are some cases when checking your withholding is particularly important:

Your refund was smaller than expected when you filed your 2019 taxes this year.
You owed an unexpected tax bill last year.
If you got married, bought a house, had a child, or adopted a child.

Get The Documents You Need for Your 2020 Tax Return

Having the right documents on hand makes things a lot easier when you prepare your tax return. These are some of the documents you should start gathering:

2019 tax return.
Form W-2 from your employer.
Form 1099 from banks and other payers.
Forms 1095-A if you claim the premium tax credit.
Notice 1444 that you received with your Economic Impact Payment.

Keep in mind that most income is taxable, including income from the gig economy and virtual currencies, so don’t forget to get any documents related to these types of earnings as well.

Confirm Your Email and Mailing Addresses

You want to get all the forms you need on time, so it’s always a good idea to confirm that your employer and banks, as well as any other payers, have your current email and mailing addresses.

Make Sure Your ITIN Hasn’t Expired

Some Individual Tax Identification Numbers, or ITINs, expire at the end of 2020. They include:

All ITINs not used at least once on a federal tax return during the last three years.
All ITINs issued before 2013 with middle digits 88 (for example, 9XX-88-XXXX)
ITINs with middle digits 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99 that were assigned before 2013 and have not been used.

If your ITIN expires, then you can submit Form W-7 to the IRS to renew it. Taking this step before filing your return will help you avoid delays in your refund and stay eligible for certain tax credits.

More Tips About Taxes

Learning more about taxes is always a smart move. Here are some previous posts you may find interesting.

Contact the Experts at JT Tax Services

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us today by email, telephone, or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.