By the Numbers 2021

Hello 2021. You are definitely a number we've been looking to welcome after the previous [insert your own descriptor] 12 months.

Yes, the number that dominated 2020 was 19, as in COVID-19. And yes, it looks like the coronavirus pandemic will be with us at least into the first few months of this new year.

But we made it through 2020's chaotic tax season. I have confidence that we'll do the same in 2021.

And one final yes: We'll still be looking at tax-related numbers this year. I mean, what are taxes without all the digits?

What counts? Speaking of tax digits, By the Numbers recognition can go to just about any and every thing that can be counted in even a remote way as connected to taxes.

The potential figures range from tax rate percentages to dollar amounts to titles of tax legislation to raw numbers and more. Much, much more.

If it can be associated with taxes, federal or state, it counts!

Late but still counting: In my hangover from celebrating the end of 2020, I was a bit slow in getting around to tabulating early 2021 tax numbers here on this new year's new By the Numbers page.

But now I am caught up, at least on getting this page created. And from now on, the featured figures will show up here after they are highlighted in a post.

That usually will be on Sundays. Sometimes, though, a number gets early recognition, showing up on Saturday or even at the end of the traditional work week. And if some breaking tax news forces its way onto the ol' blog on Sunday, then the number will appear the next week.

But whenever they show up, they are counted.

Regardless of the timing, you can always find the numbers at the link in the ol' blog's right column under the multicolored numbers box, the same one that's pictured on this page. A click there will bring you to this collection of the all the year's tax numbers, with the most recent figure and blog post at the top of the list.

So here we go into the 11th year of the ol' blog's numerical tradition. And if you want to reminisce until the 2021 numbers add up, you can recount the featured figures from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

167,000
Christmas Day 2021 fun facts (Dec. 25, 2021)
$92,765,847,000
Nearly $93B in Child Tax Credit payments issued in 2021 (Dec. 19, 2021)
$31,380
'Home Alone' movie house's property taxes go up again (Dec. 11, 2021)
70 percent
Ways to keep your business from becoming a tax cybercrime target (Dec. 4, 2021)
11:59 p.m. Nov. 29
Nov. 29 is final chance to make advance Child Tax Credit changes (Nov. 27, 2021)
Jan. 3, 2022
All Mississippi, some California filers get new Jan. 3, 2022, tax deadline (Nov. 21, 2022)
Nov. 15
Sign up by Nov. 15 to get full AdvCTC amount in December (Nov. 14, 2021)
430,000
430,000 more taxpayers get unemployment-related tax refunds (Nov. 7, 2021)
Nov. 1
Income update feature debuts Nov. 1 on IRS Child Tax Credit portal (Oct. 30, 2021)
24.9 percent
Wireless phone taxes continue to climb (Oct. 24, 2021)
334
IRS awards $41 million in grants to 334 VITA/TCE programs (Oct. 17, 2021)
$600
Proposed $600 bank account reporting rule won't change current cash app tracking (Oct. 10, 2021)
1.1 percent
Just 1.1% of family farms face estate tax under Biden plan (Oct. 3, 2024)
Oct. 4
Child tax credit portal glitch delayed some September payments (Sept. 26, 2021)
193
IRS issues 2021-2022 priority guidance plan (Sept. 19, 2021)
Sept. 15
Estimated taxes due Sept. 15, but House bill proposes calendar changes (Sept. 12, 2021)
$400,000
Hike of Social Security's taxable wage base gets renewed attention (Sept. 5, 2021)
55
Louisiana sports betting expected this football season (Aug. 29, 2021)
$60 million
$60 million IRS adjustment doesn't pay off for tax whistleblower (Aug. 22, 2021)
$30 billion
6 Advance Child Tax Credit questions still being asked … and the answers! (Aug. 15, 2021)
$1.2 billion
Crypto currency showing up in IRS seized asset auctions (Aug. 8, 2021)
IRS Notice CP141A
New IRS tax collection notices offer QR code contact option (Aug. 1, 2021)
15.6 million
IRS reports progress in tax return backlog (July 25, 2021)
17,000
IRS plans to hire thousands of auditors by September (July 18, 2021)
$35.5 trillion
New York City, San Jose top lists of where the rich live (July 11, 2021)
July 4, 1776
Delving into the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2021 (July 4, 2021)
$10,200
Reps seek $10,200 tax exclusion for essential workers (June 27, 2021)
1.7 million
Parenting resources, including tax breaks, for single dads (June 20, 2021)
8
Louisianans in 5 parishes now have Aug. 16 tax deadline (June 13, 2021)
13 million
2.8 million in unemployment tax refunds have been issued (June 06, 2021)
Fiscal Year 2022
Biden's first federal budget covers campaign & tax promises (May 30, 2021)
$473,007 and 32.60%
New Jersey residents projected to pay the most state taxes over their lifetimes (May 23, 2021)
6
TN disaster relief means May 17 isn't Tax Day in 6 states (May 15, 2021)
6
A long look at 2021 tax facts & a glimpse at other Tax Days (May 8, 2021)
June 30 and Aug. 2
New tax deadlines for disaster victims in Kentucky (June 30) and Alabama (Aug. 2) (May 1, 2021)
29 million
29 million tax returns awaiting manual IRS processing (April 25, 2021)
$1 trillion
Tax Gap likely $1 trillion, thanks largely to cryptocurrency (April 18, 2021)
$13.2 billion
Biden budget would beef up IRS tax enforcement (April 11, 2021)
0
55 big, profitable U.S. companies paid no tax in 2020 (April 4, 2021)
8
Hawai'i looks to be lone holdout in making May 17 Tax Day (March 28, 2021)
$10,200
IRS to automatically issue refunds on tax-free unemployment to eligible early filers (March 21, 2021)
3.14
Pi(e) Day March 14 and rounded tax form entries (March 14, 2021)
45.271 million
Late 2021 tax-filing season start didn't slow down taxpayers (March 7, 2021)
Notice 2021-18
2021 housing cost tax break amounts for U.S. expatriates (Feb. 28, 2021)
260,000
IRS mails 260,000 failure-to-file notices, but admits many likely are wrong (Feb. 21, 2021)
52 percent
State tax collectors get Valentine's Day gifts, too, in form of sales tax collections (Feb. 14, 2021)
63 percent
Gambling revenue not as lucrative as states hoped, but Super Bowl betting bump helps (Feb. 7, 2021)
Form 1040
Form 1040 goes bigger for 2020 return filings (Jan. 31, 2021)
71.7 percent
Real estate taxes are a big part of state funding, but vary widely nationwide (Jan. 24, 2021)
1.79 percent
TIGTA finds problems with private tax collection levels, payment plans and security (Jan. 17, 2021)
6
6 tax & financial tips for the next lottery millionaire (Jan. 10, 2021)
$472 million
IRS Whistleblower Office collected $472M from tax cheats (Jan. 3, 2021)

Today's Tax Tip

10 December tax moves — I love Santa Claus, but even the Jolly Old Elf isn’t magical enough provide the tax solutions you asked for in your letter to him. You’re going to have to make some tax moves this December yourself, like these 10 suggestions. (Dec. 1, 2024)
The 2024 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!

All About Kay

OK, some about Kay

Kay Bell — Native Texan
(the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.
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Tax Season 2024 Final Push

It's over! The final 2023 tax year extended filing deadline has passed, unless you get more time because your filing due date was extended further by a natural disaster like the three hurricanes that have made landfall in Florida this fall.

For most of us, though, the passage of Oct. 15 means it's time to focus on the tax return we'll file next year. We have until Dec. 31 this year to make moves that will reduce our already accruing 2024 tax bill. The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column suggest ways to do just that.

Finally, keep an eye on the countdown clock just below. It's keeping track of just how many days are left for us to make these tax moves.
Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.

Time for Tax Tasks

Ho 🎅 Ho 🎅 Ho!
December is here!
You better watch out. You better not cry. But you better make some year-end tax moves this December or next April 15 could turn out to be the tax equivalent of Santa Claus putting coal in your stocking.

Click image to hear a musical Santa message from The Boss, Bruce Springsteen.
OK, St. Nick can't deliver a festively wrapped, already prepared tax return for you (unless he's even more magical than I think!) to file next year, but he does have a tax connection.
Santa's tracking of naughty and nice boys and girls basically is the same method that the Internal Revenue Service uses. That's why we all need to be nice, especially to ourselves, in this final month of the year by making some important tax-saving moves. Let's get to it!
Dec. 1: It’s here. The last month of the year, meaning the last 31 days to make tax moves that could shave some off your 2024 tax bill, as well as set up 2025 as another saving, and easy, tax year. You could make things even easier on yourself if you opt next filing season to turn over your taxes to a professional. The key is picking the perfect tax pro for your filing (and more) needs. And you need to start your search now, as the good tax pros’ client lists fill up fast. If you can hire one soon, there’s a December bonus. You might get some year-end tax tips!

Dec. 4: In the meantime, check out these 10 tax moves to make in December. They could be the perfect tax present to give yourself.

Dec. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation? I hope you get all the tips you deserve for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income.

Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery or getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.

And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in November for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.

Dec. 13: It’s the holiday season, full of joy and peace and goodwill toward all. So what the heck is a Friday the 13thh doing in December? Don’t worry, as least not about tax fears and superstitions. Check out the tax truth about these 13 tax misperceptions. They’ll help get you through today and help you be a fearless taxpayer year-round.

Dec. 15: Christmas is just 10 days away! If you're still shopping for gifts, you're probably searching for the perfect present online. But beware and be wary. Internet crooks also are logged on, looking to steal your money and identity. Many of the holiday scams use the same techniques as tax scammers employ. Any personal information they get now can be used at tax time to file a fake return in your name and claim a fraudulent refund. So be careful out there, now and next filing season, and, well, unfortunately all the time.

Dec. 19: Are you taking on multiple gig jobs to make some extra holiday cash to pay for all those online orders? Those added side hustles mean you're an independent contractor. And that means you're responsible for paying income taxes due on the money, as well as any self-employment tax. In most cases, that means paying estimated tax on these end-of-year earnings by Jan. 15, 2025, to avoid a possible penalty for not paying as you earned the money.

Dec. 23: It's Christmas Week! That means holiday treats, final decorations — or first, if you wait until the very end to get a tree — and frantic last-minute shopping! Rather than worry about how you'll get the perfect gift under the tree on time, consider instead giving some easy tax-favored presents. Open a Roth IRA for your child or grandchild who earned some money this year. Or pay tuition by Dec. 31 for classes that will start in the first quarter of 2025.

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve!
No taxes tonight. It's early to bed for kiddies of all ages. Santa's on his way!

Click image to watch NORAD track Santa's Christmas Eve delivery route.

Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! My gift to you is another day without tax thoughts.
Just enjoy the holiday and your family and friends.

Dec. 26: Happy Boxing Day. This unofficial holiday on St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by additional giving.
If you donate to your favorite charity on this Boxing Day or any other day by Dec. 31, on your 2023 taxes you'll have to itemize your gifts on Schedule A to claim them. If you don’t have enough expenses to exceed your standard deduction amount this tax year, consider delaying your charitable contributions until early January as part of a tax deduction bunching strategy.

Dec. 31: This is it. The drop-dead deadline to make most 2024 tax moves. A quick and easy action today is to zero out your medical flexible spending account (FSA) by buying over-the-counter medications for which the funds can be used. This is especially important if your employer doesn't offer a grace period to use the money or let you roll some FSA money over into 2025. Without those alternatives, you'll lose any FSA funds you don't use.

Done? Great! Make sure the champagne is chilling and settle in for your New Year's Eve party or a cozy night at home with your friends and loved ones. Either way, cheers and Auld Lang Syne as the ball drops at midnight.

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

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 Tax Forms 2024 page.

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You can read more
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Kay Bell helps you build
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A collection of Kay Bell stories
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How to Keep More
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Tax Reading Room
You also might enjoy these other tax tips from some of my tax-writing colleagues:
J.K. Lasser 2024 Taxes
Taxes for Dummies 2024
Tax Savvy for Small Business

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Taxes are all about the numbers.
Check out these (mostly) weekly
By the Numbers figures.

Kudos Et Cetera

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I gotta tell ya ...

AKA Disclaimer:

I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999. I am not a professional tax preparer.

The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal interpretation and 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. While I work to ensure each post's accuracy, the items are not recommendations of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of commercial tax products or services are not endorsements.

In other words, my ramblings on the ol' tax blog are free advice, and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it is time for you to file your own taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent, or other reputable, qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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COVID-19 & Taxes

Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
These five Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
March-July 2020
August-December 2020
January-December 2021
January-December 2022
…and so it continues into 2023
…and, alas, into 2024
You can find medical coronavirus resource links in the next section.

COVID-19 Resources

Need help finding a coronavirus vaccine in the United States?
Call 1-800-232-0233
or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
More information and resources at:
CDC Vaccines
CDC Booster Shots
HHS Combat COVID
USA.Gov COVID Info

December 2024

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Photo by Isaac Martin on Unsplash

Tell it to the Hill

While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — Congress and the White House for our tax laws. 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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