IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May IR-2021-71, March 31, 2021 — To help taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it will take steps to automatically refund money this spring and summer to people who filed their tax return reporting unemployment compensation before the recent changes made by the American Rescue Plan. Emergency aid granted to students due to COVID is not taxable IR-2021-70, March 30, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service issued frequently asked questions today on how students and higher education institutions should report pandemic-related emergency financial aid grants. IRS projects stimulus payments to non-filer Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will be disbursed later this week IR-2021-69, March 30, 2021 — As work continues on issuing millions of Economic Impact Payments to Americans, the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced today that they anticipate payments will begin to be issued this weekend to Social Security recipients and other federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return, with the projection that the majority of these payments would be sent electronically and received on April 7. IRS warns university students and staff of impersonation email scam IR-2021-68, March 30, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today warned of an ongoing IRS-impersonation scam that appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff who have “.edu” email addresses. IRS extends additional tax deadlines for individuals to May 17 IR-2021-67, March 29, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that individuals have until May 17, 2021 to meet certain deadlines that would normally fall on April 15, such as making IRA contributions and filing certain claims for refund. Face masks and other personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are tax deductible IR-2021-66, March 26, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service issued Announcement 2021-7 today clarifying that the purchase of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus are deductible medical expenses. IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) pledges continued commitment to investigating COVID-19 fraud as CARES Act reaches one-year anniversary IR-2021-65, March 25, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) marks the one-year anniversary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act by pledging its continued commitment to investigating COVID-19 fraud. J5 countries host "Challenge" aimed at FINtech companies IR-2021-64, March 25, 2021 — The Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) brought together investigators, cryptocurrency experts and data scientists in a coordinated push to track down individuals and organizations perpetrating tax crimes around the world this week. IRS, Treasury disburse another 37 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan IR-2021-63, March 24, 2021 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are disbursing approximately 37 million payments in the second batch of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan. More Economic Impact Payments set for disbursement in coming days; taxpayers should watch mail for paper checks, debit cards IR-2021-62, March 22, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the next batch of Economic Impact Payments will be issued to taxpayers this week, with many of these coming by paper check or prepaid debit card. IRS Office of Chief Counsel unveils National Virtual Settlement Days effort this year to reach more taxpayers in more parts of the nation IR-2021-61, March 18, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel has embarked on its most far-reaching Settlement Days program ever, declaring the month of March 2021 as “National Settlement Month.” Tax Time Guide: Use the Where’s my refund? tool or IRS2Go app to check tax refund status IR-2021-60, March 18, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that the most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where’s My Refund? tool at IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go Mobile App. Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17: Treasury, IRS extend filing and payment deadline IR-2021-59, March 17, 2021 — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. IRS, Treasury disbursed 90 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan IR-2021-58, March 17, 2021 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they disbursed approximately 90 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan. Tax Time Guide: IRS reminds taxpayers of recent changes to retirement plans IR-2021-57, March 16, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers about the rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. IRS expands help to taxpayers in multiple languages with new forms, communication preferences IR-2021-56, March 16, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today said that it continues its efforts to expand ways to communicate to taxpayers who prefer to get information in other languages. Low Income Taxpayer Clinic 2021 supplemental application period now open IR-2021-55, March 15, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced it will accept applications for an 18-month Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) matching grant from all qualified organizations. IRS begins delivering third round of Economic Impact Payments to Americans IR-2021-54, March 12, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the third round of Economic Impact Payments will begin reaching Americans over the next week. Tax Time Guide: Get credit for IRA contributions made by April 15 on 2020 tax returns IR-2021-53, March 11, 2021 — The IRS notes that taxpayers of all ages may be able to claim a deduction on their 2020 tax return for contributions to their Individual Retirement Arrangement made through April 15, 2021. Tax Time Guide: Make protecting tax and financial information a habit IR-2021-52, March 9, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today urged people to continue practicing proper cybersecurity habits by securing computers, phones and other devices. Interest rates remain the same for the second quarter of 2021 IR-2021-50, March 2, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2021. Tax Time Guide: Didn’t get Economic Impact Payments? Check eligibility for Recovery Rebate Credit IR-2021-49, March 2, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds first-time filers and those who usually don’t have a federal filing requirement to consider filing a 2020 tax return. IRS provides guidance for employers claiming the Employee Retention Credit for 2020, including eligibility rules for PPP borrowers IR-2021-48, March 1, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance for employers claiming the employee retention credit under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), as modified by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Relief Act), for calendar quarters in 2020. News release and fact sheet archive Find previous year news releases and fact sheets from 1997 through last month.