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American Rescue Plan Act enacts many tax provisions

The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that passed Congress contained many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.

2021 child tax credit, EITC, and premium tax credit limits updated

The IRS issued guidance on the amount of and limitations on the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and premium tax credit available for taxpayers for the 2021 tax year as a result of changes to those provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.

IRS explains new treatment of excess premium tax credits

The IRS said it would not require taxpayers who received excess advance premium tax credits for 2020 to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, after the American Rescue Plan Act retroactively exempted those amounts from being taxed.

IRS to automatically issue refunds on tax-free unemployment benefits

To help taxpayers who might otherwise have been required to file amended income tax returns, the IRS announced that, beginning in May and continuing into the summer, it will automatically issue to eligible taxpayers refunds of income tax paid on 2020 unemployment benefits.

Debt workouts involving commercial real estate

As short-term agreements that borrowers and creditors reached at the beginning of the pandemic start to expire, real estate companies and others
will need to find long-term solutions to their insolvency problem.

Payment of deferred payroll taxes extended

The IRS issued updated procedures for the deferred employee portion of employment tax payments, which were further extended from April 30, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, by year-end legislation.

Lenders required to send corrected Forms 1099-MISC

The IRS issued guidance requiring lenders who mistakenly sent Forms 1099-MISC reporting loan payments that are permitted to be excluded from the taxpayer’s gross income under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to send corrected forms.

Revisiting withholding on equity compensation

In the time of COVID-19, where employers may
increasingly turn to equity compensation to save on cash compensation expenses and employees are increasingly mobile, there is increased risk for employers.

IRS provides details on April 15 postponement

The IRS issued a notice providing more details and clarification of its previously announced postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals. The notice extends the date for making 2020 IRA contributions; however, it does not extend the date for estimated tax payments.

Amounts paid for personal protective equipment qualify for medical deduction

The IRS announced that purchases of personal protective equipment used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic qualify for the Sec. 213 medical expenses deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income and have not been compensated for by insurance or otherwise.