New York State Tax Professional Newsletter 01/15/21 |
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Tax Department response to novel coronavirusNew York State tax implications of the federal CARES ActThe federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act contained a number of tax provisions that impact the computation of taxable income, modify eligibility for certain tax credits, and provide assistance to taxpayers and businesses affected by COVID-19. Visit New York State tax implications of the federal CARES Act to learn more about the impact on New York State tax returns. Additional sales tax reliefSales tax returns and payments for the period September 1 through November 30 were due December 21, 2020. However, penalty and interest may be waived if your client was unable to file and pay on time and is principally engaged in business:
Your client’s return must be filed and the total amount due must be paid by March 22, 2021, for this relief to apply. This relief does not apply to vendors enrolled in PrompTax for sales and use tax.
Visit Tax relief for quarterly and part-quarterly (monthly) sales tax vendors affected by COVID-19 to request relief from penalty and interest.
Reminder to verify paid preparer signatureVerify the Paid preparer signature section of your tax professional software. You must enter a New York Tax Preparer Registration Identification Number (NYTPRIN) or an exclusion code for all returns you prepare. (For a list of exclusion codes, view Form IT-201-I, Instructions for Form IT-201 Full-Year Resident Income Tax Return, or Form IT-203-I, Instructions for Form IT-203 Nonresident and Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return.) Do not report an expired NYTPRIN or exclusion code.
Visit Tax preparer registration to learn whether you must register as a tax preparer.
New formsMost 2020 forms have been posted to our website, including the following new forms:
Visit Numerical list by form number for income tax to view the 2020 forms and instructions.
Changes to long-term care insurance creditFor tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, Form IT-249, Long-term Care Insurance Credit, has been amended to allow a taxpayer (including nonresident and part-year resident taxpayers) to claim the credit only if the taxpayer’s New York adjusted gross income is less than $250,000. In addition, the credit amount cannot exceed $1,500.
For more information on this credit, visit Long-term care insurance credit.
Notification of underpayment of estimated tax penaltyYour client may receive a Notice and Demand, with rights, if they did not prepay income tax as they earned or received income during the tax year. Your client may be charged a penalty on the amount of estimated tax that was not paid or was paid late during the year (either through estimated tax payments, withholding tax, or a combination of the two).
The underpayment penalty applies if your client’s 2020 withholding and estimated tax payments are not at least the smaller of:
If your client agrees with the assessment, simply pay online or pay using the payment coupon included with the bill. If your client disagrees, respond with all applicable documentation by the date stated on the first page of the bill. Submit the response online, by mail, or by fax.
For more information about this penalty, visit Penalty for underpaying your estimated tax.
Notification of missing retirement contribution informationYour client may receive a Statement of Proposed Audit Changes (SOPAC) if your client:
For more information about these adjustments, visit Public employee 414(h) retirement contributions and New York City flexible benefits program (IRC 125).
If your client agrees with the SOPAC, simply pay online or pay using the payment coupon included with the notice. If your client disagrees, respond with any applicable documentation by the date stated on the first page of the bill. Submit the response online, by mail, or by fax.
School Tax Relief (STAR) credit reportingIf your client received a STAR credit in 2020 and will be itemizing deductions, they may be required to report the STAR credit amount on their 2020 income tax return.
To learn more, visit How to report your property tax credit. Your clients can also use our Property Tax Credit Lookup to verify they received a check for 2020.
Launch of Alcoholic Beverages Tax (ABT) Web FileBeginning with returns due January 20, 2021, if you’re a registered distributor, you can electronically file your alcoholic beverages tax returns and accompanying attachments using our Alcoholic Beverages Tax (ABT) Web File.
For general information about ABT, visit our updated page: Alcoholic beverages tax.
E-file mandateIf you’re a tax preparer, you are required by law to e-file all New York State personal income tax returns you prepare. For information about New York State’s e-file mandate, visit Tax preparer e-file mandate.
Keep up with tax changesThe Tax Professional Newsletter is a monthly summary of recent changes and new information. To receive updates as we announce them, subscribe to new tax topics as we add them to our Subscription Service. We’ll share links to new resources and tax tips as they become available.
Recently added topics include:
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Upcoming due dates
Today (1/15/21):
01/20/21: Sales tax returns for monthly filers
02/01/21:
Stay on top of due dates; bookmark our tax calendar.
Visit View demos and videos to watch our demos and to learn more about our online services.
Contact usTax Practitioner Hotline: 518-457-5451
Resource center: Tax professionals |
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Enrolled Agents
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