Don't Mess With Taxes

Broad City image via Giphy.com

Well, we finally made it through the global annus horribilis that was 2020. Here's hoping things will be better — I'm not naïve enough to say much better — in 2021.

That hope extends to the tax world, which last year also was c0ronavirus chaotic. There were new laws, deadlines and regulations, some of which are still being deciphered. Yes, I'm looking at you Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

All that change also naturally applied to tax forms. And in addition to new law revisions, we also have, even in more normal tax times, some new ones.

Regular readers know that the ol' blog focused on forms last year with the launch of Tax Form Tuesday. It worked. Sort of.

Sometimes a Tuesday slipped by without a form feature. Sometimes a tax document got attention a day or two early or late. The schedule slippage was because, as anyone who watches taxes knows, things happen that take precedence. Even in times when we're not coping with a COVID-19 pandemic.

So in 2021, the ol' blog will continue to report on tax forms, but without a set schedule. That's right, I'm free forming!

But like last year, I will continue to collect the posts on a special page. In fact, on this page. I am so thrilled with it — and am such a fan of alliteration…and of celebrating tax matters — this assemblage has been dubbed Tax Forms Fiesta.

While we're getting our new fiesta fired up, you can always peruse the forms that were the sorta weekly rage in 2020 at the archived Tax Forms Tuesday page.

1. If you don't get your COVID money by Jan. 15, you'll have to claim it on your 2020 tax return (Form 1040, line 30) (Jan. 4, 2021)
2. Replacement direct deposit refunds should be easier to get under new IRS procedure (Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) (Jan. 7, 2021)
3. 9 tax software companies offer Free File products in 2021 (Jan. 15, 2021)
4. Tax statements you need to file your 2020 return (Jan. 19, 2021)
5. EITC claiming option: use 2019 or 2020 income (Schedule EIC) (Jan. 29, 2021)
6. Form 1040 goes bigger for 2020 return filings (Jan. 31, 2021)
7. Older taxpayers get their own 1040 form for tax filing (Form 1040-SR) (revised Jan. 31, 2021)
8. COVID PPE counts toward teachers' expenses tax deduction (Form 1040 Schedule 1, line 10, educators expenses) (Feb. 5, 2021)
9. Reporting all your income, including gambling winnings, on Form 1040 Schedule 1 (Feb. 8, 2021)
10. 23 tax deductions, no itemizing required, on Schedule 1 (Feb. 9, 2021)
11. IRS mails 260,000 failure-to-file notices, but admits many likely are wrong (IRS Notice CP59; Feb. 21, 2021)
12. Paying self-employment taxes on the revised Schedule SE (March 2, 2021)
13. Decoding your W-2 (revised March 5, 2021)
14. Tax-free unemployment change could require amended tax return filings (Form 1040-X) (March 10, 2021)
15. The child care tax credit is a good claim on 2020 taxes, even better for 2021 returns (Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses) (March 11, 2021)
16. New tax phishing scam targets students, .edu emails (Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit) (March 30, 2021)
17. Household help could mean more tax work for employers (Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate; Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statement; and Schedule H-Form 1040, Household Employment Taxes) (April 7, 2021)
18. FBAR filing deadline is April 15. Or Oct. 15 (FinCEN Form 114) (April 9, 2021)
19. Bernie Madoff's tax legacy: Ponzi scheme loss deduction (Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts) (April 15, 2021)
20. More COVID payments — and written confirmation notices — are on the way (IRS Notice 1444 versions for three COVID-19 economic impact payments) (April 30, 2021)
21. 10 overlooked medical expenses that could make it worth itemizing tax deductions (Schedule A deductible medical expenses) (May 4, 2021)
22. No itemizing needed to claim these 23 tax deductions (Form 1040 Schedule 1, adjustments to income) (May 6, 2021)
23. Saver's Credit already offers an added nest egg tax break & there's talk of enhancing it (Form 8880) (May 12, 2021)
24. Get an extension if you can't file your tax return on time (Form 4868) (May 16, 2021)
25. Nonprofits' tax status reviews sometimes aided by public tips (Form 13909) (July 8, 2021)
26. IRS adds more tax forms to required e-filing list (Forms 1042; 1097-BTC; Form 1098-C; Form 1098-Q; Form 3921; Form 3922; and Form 8300) (July 23, 2021)
27. IRS releases drafts of 2021 Form 1040 and Schedules 1, 2 and 3 (July 26, 2021)
28. New IRS tax collection notices offer QR code contact option (Aug. 1, 2021)
29. Louisiana sports betting expected this football season (Form W-2G) (Aug. 29, 2021)
30. 41 IRS forms now can be signed electronically (Sept. 3, 2021)
31. Moving? Let the IRS know (Form 8822) (Sept. 7, 2021)
32. Employee or contractor classifications and other employment tax tips for businesses (Employment related tax forms SS-8, 8919, and 8952) (Sept. 15, 2021)
33. Work Opportunity Tax Credit can help businesses meet staffing needs, save on taxes (Forms 8850, 5884, 5884-C, and 3800) (Sept. 21, 2021)
34. Proposed $600 bank account reporting rule won't change current cash app tracking (Forms 1099-INT and 1099-K) (Oct. 10, 2021)
35. Business closure tax tasks (Schedule C, Form 1120, Form 1099-NEC; Form 1096) (Oct. 21, 2021)
36. Determining child-related tax breaks when you're divorced (Form 8332) (Nov. 26, 2021)
37. RMDs are back and due for some by Dec. 31, 2021 (Form 5498) (Dec. 8, 2021)
38. Kentuckians in tornado disaster areas get new May 16, 2022, tax deadline (Form 1040-X) (Dec. 14, 2021)
39. You got your last 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit payment. Now what? (Form 1040 and Schedule 8812) (Dec. 15, 202)
40. May 16, 2022, is new Tax Day for Illinois & Tennessee tornado victims (Form 1040-X) (Dec. 21, 2021)

And if you want more info on other forms not featured here, check out the ol' blog's Forms category. It will show Tax Form Fiesta! entries, as well as other tax documents that I've posted about over the years, with the newest post first. Just keep scrolling. 

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