Filing taxes for 2020 was…challenging. Yes, that’s a good way to put it. Not impossible, but not exactly fun, either. While your 2021 return hopefully won’t be quite as much of a challenge, there are still several unusual factors to be accounted for (e.g., Child Tax Credits and Economic Impact Payments).

However, there are some simple steps you can take now to help make filing those tax returns easier come January.

Gather your tax records

The best tax records are organized tax records. If your records aren’t quite there, now is the perfect time to get them together.

First, be sure to notify the IRS if your address has changed and notify the Social Security Administration of any legal name changes.

Next, you should have any year-end documents you’ve received from the IRS, such as:

• Letter 6419, the 2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments

• Letter 6475, your 2021 Economic Impact Payment

• Form 1095-A, the Health Insurance Marketplace Statement

Most income is taxable, including unemployment income, state tax refunds, gig economy income and virtual currencies. So, you’ll need the following documentation:

• W-2 from your employer(s)

• 1099-INT or 1099-DIV from banks, unemployment compensation, dividends, and distributions from a pension, annuity or retirement plan

• 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2 or any other income statements for contractors, freelancers and other gig economy workers

• Any other income documents and records of your virtual currency (e.g., Bitcoin) transactions

• All 2021 information related to the Child Tax Credit and Premium Tax Credit

• If you received a third Economic Impact Payment and believe you qualify for an additional amount, you’ll need your stimulus payment and plus-up amounts to calculate and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit

• Cash and non-cash charitable contributions

Don’t forget the other “usuals,” such as Form 1098 for mortgage interest you paid, receipts for deductible expenses, and your books and records for any business income and expenses.

Set up your online account

If you haven’t set up an online IRS account yet, do it now (you’ll find links and information at irs.gov/individuals). If you already have an online account, make sure you can still access your account. An online account is important because it allows you to securely:

• View the amount of your Economic Impact Payment(s)

• Access the Child Tax Credit Update Portal

• Approve or reject authorization requests from your tax professional

• Update your email address and opt in or out of paper notices

Other steps

If you always receive a paper check because you don’t have a financial institution, this is an excellent time to open an account at an FDIC-insured bank or an NCUA-insured credit union. That will enable you to receive your tax refund by direct deposit, which will get to you much faster than a paper check.

If you prefer not to work with a financial institution, you can even get a pay card from your local grocery store or a large retailer like Walmart and have the refund deposited to the card.

Also, check with your tax professional on a couple of important questions that may not make a difference in this year’s return but will give you a jump-start for the 2022 tax year:

• Do I need to adjust the amount I withhold from my paycheck? (The IRS also has a Tax Withholding Estimator for your use at irs.gov/payments/tax-withholding)

• Should I make estimated tax payments? (This is especially important for gig workers) 

In anticipation of a more “normal” tax season, the official tax deadline has reverted to April 15. So, we hope this information will get you started on prompt and easier filing.

If you’d like more information, irs.gov/filing has a library’s worth of information to help you prepare for filing your 2021 tax return. As always, our firm is current on the latest rules and regulations, and we’re available and ready to help. Here’s to a stressless tax season for us all!