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By the Numbers 2020

Welcome to the start of a new decade.

Numbers via 123BF2020 is perfect for a feature on numbers. Not only is there its wonderful symmetry, but the obvious optical connotation is perfect for a look at tax-related numbers.

In fact, I even saw my way (see what I did there?) to getting a head start on the annual By the Numbers tabulating. The first numerical feature of this new year was posted on the first Friday of 2020 instead of the usual weekend day.

But that didn't stop another figure (actually figures) from getting recognized on schedule when the weekend rolled around.

Heck, at this rate, 2020 could be a momentous year for numbers from many and varied perspectives!

What remains the same, this 10th year of the ol' blog's numerical tradition is that the figures are more than just those we enter on our 1040s every year.

In keeping with the numeric posts of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the selected digits each week[end] will range from tax rate percentages to dollar amounts to titles of tax legislation to raw numbers and much, much more.

Basically, I'll choose any and every thing that can be counted in even a remote tax way as a figure to be featured each week.

Also as in past years, I'll try to get the relevant figures up each weekend, usually on Sunday. But sometimes stuff happens, meaning the featured By the Number figure goes up a bit later.

Or if I run across some noteworthy numerals that deserve posting before the weekend, then By the Numbers will be posted before or in addition to the expected publication date, like this year. 

Regardless of the timing, you can always find a link to the new number on the ol' blog's home page under the multicolored numbers box (pictured on this page, too!), as well as on the year's special By the Numbers page. The newest post each week will go at the top of the list.

So welcome 2020. Let's make you count!

  • 11
    Millions out of luck and money as federal unemployment assistance ends (Dec. 29, 2020)
    This post is the same as the one in the 17 featured below on Dec. 27, 2020. The new 11 figure references the 11 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits that the
    U.S. Department of Labor said would be paid even though the signing of the second COVID-19 relief law was late.
  • 17
    Millions out of luck and money as federal unemployment assistance ends (Dec. 27, 2020)
  • 671 Lincoln Avenue
    Real 'Home Alone' house provides nice annual tax present to property tax collector (Dec. 20, 2020)
  • 12
    It costs less in 2020 to be a True Love 12 Days of Christmas gift giver (Dec. 13, 2020)
  • $400,000
    Tax reform is a global concern in wake of COVID-19's costs (Dec. 6, 2020)
  • Dec. 11
    Congress must meet Dec. 11 funding deadline to avoid another government shutdown (Nov. 29, 2020); Note: legislative extensions ultimately pushed this deadline day to Dec. 28.
  • $435
    A few tax penalties nudged up in 2021 by inflation (Nov. 22, 2020)
  • 21
    Watch out for continuing COVID-19 tax (and more) scams (Nov. 15, 2020)
  • 60 days
    IRS offers tax help to those facing COVID money troubles (Nov. 8, 2020)
  • 12
    12 year-end tax moves to make, or at least look into, in November 2020 (Nov. 1, 2020)
  • CP501, CP503 and CP504
    IRS is resuming issuance of tax balance-due notices (Oct. 25, 2020)
  • 1,659
    Sales tax jurisdictions across the United States (Oct. 18, 2020)
  • 9.3 percent
    Joe Biden's tax proposals: a state-by-state breakout (Oct. 11, 2020)
  • $1.625 million
    Colorado University nets $1.6 million in sports betting deal (Oct. 4, 2020)
  • 4,966 & 10456
    COVID EIPs await non-filers nationwide, especially in some NY ZIP Codes (Sept. 27, 2020)
  • 5.5 percent
    State revenue loss due to COVID-19 not as bad as feared (Sept. 20, 2020)
  • 6
    6 more tax forms added to IRS digital signature list (Sept. 13, 2020)
  • 29.2 million
    6 unemployment tax Q&A for COVID-tinged Labor Day 2020 (Sept. 6, 2020)
  • 3,387
    Irish tax cheat reports skyrocket (Aug. 30, 2020)
  • $18
    COVID-created tax refund interest payments going to nearly 14 million filers (Aug. 23, 2020)
  • March 1 and July 15
    IRS knows some recently issued nonpayment notices are wrong. Now what? (Aug. 16, 2020)
  • 4
    Trump COVID executive actions sidestep stalled Congressional relief talks (Aug. 9, 2020)
  • 70 percent
    Considering more COVID-19 payments on Parents' Day (July 26, 2020)
  • 555
    IRS' 555 telephone exchange is real (July 19, 2020)
  • 1040-ES
    How to make the 2 estimated tax payments also due July 15 (July 12, 2020)
  • 37 percent
    Options to deal with tax bills that many worry they can't pay (July 5, 2020)
  • 6
    Most people use COVID stimulus money to cover expenses (June 28, 2020)
  • 2 million
    Father's Day child tax credit tip, along with other tax breaks for all parents (June 21, 2020)
  • June 15 and 29
    IRS employees returning to offices in 9 more locations (June 14, 2020)
  • Form RD-109NR
    COVID-changed work patterns mean tax hassles, possible KC workers' refunds (June 7, 2020)
  • 10 million
    IRS workers returning June 1 to offices and 10 million pieces of unopened snail mail (May 31, 2020)
  • 152 million and $258 billion
    IRS has distributed 152 million COVID-19 relief payments worth $258 billion (May 24, 2020)
  • 4
    Hurricane season 2020 early start means it's time to prepare (May 17, 2020)
  • Noon on May 13
    May 13 at noon is deadline to give IRS info for direct deposit of COVID-19 money (May 9, 2020)
  • May 5
    SSI, VA recipients must update family status by May 5 to get full COVID-19 payment (May 2, 2020)
  • 88.1 million and $158 billion
    88.1 million have received COVID-19 payments, says IRS (April 24, 2020)
  • 22 million
    Some states struggling to pay coronavirus-created unemployment claims (April 19, 2020)
  • April 11
    IRS makes first COVID-19 payments, with online option to alter delivery coming soon (April 12, 2020) 
  • $3,058
    Tax filings are still sluggish, but refunds are larger (April 5, 2020)
  • $1,200, $2,400 and $500
    Compare COVID payments using 2019 or 2018 tax return (March 28, 2020)
  • July 15, 2020
    July 15 tax filing and payment deadline Q&A (March 21, 2020)
  • 3.14
    A tasty Pi Day tax tip on rounding tax form entries (March 14, 2020)
  • $12,200, $18,350 and $24,400
    Time and tax deduction method changes (March 08, 2020)
  • 19,513
    Special clinics help low-income taxpayers resolve IRS issues (March 1, 2020)
  • 20%
    20% of Canadians say tax cheating worth the risk (Feb. 23, 2020)
  • 2015
    Tax return filing & refunds are off to a slow 2020 start (Feb. 16, 2020)
  • 5
    Oscars contender 'Joker' benefited from NJ film tax breaks (Feb. 9, 2020)
  • 02022020
    Hurray for Palindrome Day 02022020 (Feb. 2, 2020)
  • 10
    IRS watchdog report indicates continued tax refund delays (Jan. 26, 2020)
  • 55 percent
    Esports join NFL, other traditional games as jock tax target (Jan. 19, 2020)
  • Jan. 15
    Final annual estimated tax payment due Jan. 15 (Jan. 12, 2020)
  • 31 and 1
    Babies' birthdays determine tax year tax breaks
    (Jan. 5, 2020)
  • $18,428,370
    Mortgage relief scammers hit with $18.5 million judgment (Jan. 3, 2020
    )
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Today's Tax Tip

  • Child Tax Credit online filing portal is open again — An online portal that allowed nonfilers to claim Advance Child Tax Credit amounts is back. These families now can use GetCTC to get the remainder of 2021's enhanced tax break. (May 14, 2022)

  • Tax Tip; click pencil for all tax tip links

  • The 2022 Tax Tips offer ways to file your annual return, along with post-filing advice, important tax news and, of course, ways to cut your current tax year bill. You'll find the monthly assemblages on their own respective pages: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Remember, tax tasks and tips don't stop after you file your annual return!

COVID-19 & Taxes

  • COVID-19
    Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
    on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
    These three Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
    March-July 2020,
    August-December 2020,
    January-December 2021, and
    January-… 2022
    You can find medical coronavirus resource links further down this column.

All About Kay

  • OK, some about Kay
    Open sign
    Kay Bell — Native Texan (the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.

My Other Accounts

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Tick ... Tick ... Tick

  • Tax Season 2022 continues!

    Tax Day 2022 is finally over … unless you're one of the millions who have more time to file — looking at you taxpayers abroad and those in major disaster areas — or you got an extension to file your 2021 tax year return. That's fine. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service appreciates some of us spreading out our filings, especially when we and the agency still are dealing with all the complications of COVID-19 and taxes.

    That's why the ol' blog's focus now is on all y'all still working on returns. But I haven't forgotten my organized taxpayer readers, who are already looking for ways to reduce their 2022 tax year bills. Yep, that amount is adding up, but there are moves you can make. The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column can help everyone, regardless of which tax year you're working on.

    Those on extension should keep a keen eye on the countdown clock below. It will help you track the days tick, tick, ticking off toward that absolutely final fall filing due date of Oct. 17. Yep, it's a few days later this year.
    Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.


Time for Tax Tasks


  • monthly tax moves


  • May has arrived!
    That exclamation mark is sincere and deserved. You've got to love a month that starts with a celebration.

    May Pole Dance via GIPHY


    After the May Day dances are done, the commemorative days just keep coming. There are well-known ones, like Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day, as well as some more obscure ones, like Visit Your Relatives Day, National Smile Day, and my favorite, Eat What You Want Day.

    But even with all these (and more!) celebrations, there's still time to make some money-saving May tax moves. Let's get to it!

    May 1: While May Day isn't a big holiday in the United States, globally the first day of May is a time for celebrating workers' contributions. But that can apply here, too, in connection with some employment-related tax tasks. If you got a big refund or owed more tax than you expected when you filed (or got an extension) last month, today's the perfect time to do paycheck check-up to determine how you should adjust your withholding.

    May 5: ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

    Feliz Cinco de Mayo

    Fiestas are back this year, as more of us have been taken advantage of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Still, be careful out there celebrating this Mexican holiday (and no, it's NOT Mexican Independence Day) that tends to spur more festivities here north of the border. Party responsibly, both when it come to the lingering pandemic and imbibing your favorite adult beverage, likely a margarita, which included the cost of state and federal alcohol taxes. Your state tax collector also will raise a glass to your fiscal contribution, since during the pandemic, sin taxes were a revenue bright spot for many states.

    May 8: Happy Mother's Day!

    Happy Mother's Day

    If you're just this year making up for pandemic paused family visits, give your mom a longer hug on her special day. Love, flowers, and the best of health and happiness to every mother, from the new ones just discovering the joys, tax and otherwise, of new parenthood to those gracefully maneuvering their Golden Years while getting some tax-advantaged help from their families.

    May 10: Eateries are still recovering from the challenges of operating during a national health crisis. Restaurants closed, then opened, then closed again. Others relied on and have stuck with take-out and deliveries. Whether you're dining in or still getting food brought to your house, remember to tip your server or delivery person.

    restaurant check tip iStock
    If a tip isn't included in your food delivery charge, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.

    As for servers who now are back on the job, remember that your tips are taxable income. If you worked at least some of March at a job where you got gratuities, you need to account for them today if they came to at least $20 last month. Use Form 4070 to report your tips today to your employer.

    May 16: Before the seasonal shift into summer, take care of spring tax cleaning. Give away clothing and household goods you no longer use. Your philanthropy could provide you a charitable tax deduction.

    May 23: Kick spring cleaning up a notch. Go beyond housekeeping and house clearing and make those home repairs you've been putting off. Many home improvements, including landscaping, could pay off in by increasing your home's basis, which means your profit for tax purposes will be smaller and stay under the amount that's tax-free when you eventually sell your home.

    May 27: If you're heading out early for the long Memorial Day weekend that traditionally kicks off summer, be sure to plan for added costs, like the price of getting to your holiday destination. Most of us will hit the highways, so even though gasoline prices have come down a bit, they still will take a bite of our travel budgets. Sorry, it's not enough to get Congress to create a federal gas tax holiday. And if you're renting your home to incoming tourists, be sure to pay the state and/or local taxes added to short-term home rentals.

    May 30: As you honor military personnel this Memorial Day who made the ultimate sacrifice, don't forget about their families. There are some tax considerations offered survivors of lost soldiers, sailors, and air crew.

    Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.

State Tax Help

  • Don't forget your state taxes!
    Forty-three states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the seven states without an income levy, you still face other state (and local) taxes.

    State Tax Departments provides links to your state's Web page. The companion page, Tax Tidbits, is the compilation of blurbs about each state's tax laws. And for more state tax news, check out all our state tax bloggings.

Tax Forms

  • Tax Forms
    Thanks to our increased use of tax preparers and computer software, many of us don't see our tax forms until we sign and file them. But knowing what's on these documents, either in paper or digital form, and why the IRS wants it is key to understanding our tax system. And knowledge definitely is power, especially when it comes to tax savings. Find this valuable information in the ol' blog's special Talking Tax Forms page.

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I gotta tell ya ...

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    I am not a professional tax preparer.
    The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies and regulations. It is provided for your private, noncommercial, educational and informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of products or services are not endorsements. In other words, my ramblings on the ol' blog are free advice and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it comes to filing your taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent or other qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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  • COVID-19
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    Call 1-800-232-0233
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Tell it to the Hill

  • DMWT Politics Posts
  • While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — our tax laws on Congress and the White House. So if you have an issue with tax legislation or want a tax bill passed, you need to let your federal legislators and the White House occupant know of your concerns. You can find out who in Washington, D.C., to contact (and how), as well as get information on your local lawmakers for matters, tax or otherwise, closer to home, at USA Gov.

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