DO NOT FILE PAPER TAX RETURNS FOR 2020

[TheOtherMe]

Thanks to kadee79


www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/dont-file-a-paper-2020-federal-tax-return-if-you-dont-have-to-irs-watchdog-warns/ar-BB1cMigx?li=BBnb7Kz

[Deleted]

I couldn't file electronically last  year because I didn't know the PIN number we had previously used.  Hopefully, this year will be different because DH's SS was listed first then, and now I am filing under just mine and as single.  I hope I get to choose a new PIN number.

I will file state's by paper, though, because I paid last year to file electronically and couldn't because of the Federal snafu.  This year I paid no state tax because my pension and SS are both not taxed.  I didn't pay anything so there's nothing to refund.  I'm not going to waste $$$ to file electronically for $0.

[TheOtherMe]

My state return will also be paper filed. I owe $10 and I will not pay to file

[minnesotapaintlady]

There are so many free file options out there and they go up to 72K AGI. I have never paid to file.

[TheOtherMe]

It's the state return that I have to pay to file.  Can't do it on the state website like I could in Colorado.  

I can file the federal return for free.

[minnesotapaintlady]

But a lot of the free file options include state if you qualify for federal.

apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/browse-all-offers

[rangerj]

Because of the virus the IRS service centers that process the tax returns are WAY behind in posting tax returns that are filed on paper. Electronically filed returns more or less post themselves via the computer. The 2019 returns were being filed in 2020 when the virus hit and this impacted IRS employees just like everybody else. Here is the problem. The Social Security Administration(SSA) gets the Adjusted Gross Income(AGI) information from the IRS and if the return for 2019 is not posted the information SSA needs is not there (yet). This could impact the amount you have to pay for Medicare that is determined by you Modified AGI (AGI plus non-taxable income like tax exempt interest or foreign income). File the federal return electronically even if you owe money. You can send them a check by the due date. 

[billisonboard]

Prefixed with,  "Yes, I'm weird."

I don't mind paying the minimal amount I pay to do my simple return on Turbo Tax. I figure I am paying salaries for the people who develop and maintain the system and helping cover those costs for lower income fellow citizens. 

[Deleted]

This is worth repeating for 2021.

I'll repeat my sad story from 2020; I filed a paper return for 2019, as I always do, in early March, 2020.  (I did it as soon as I could after getting downloads of my brokerage transactions.)  I just didn't like wrapping up all that detail in a nice electronic package for the gubmint.

I was due a refund of about $6,000.  I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  You know how that worked out.  The IRS site said not to file an electronic if the paper one was in the mail.  Finally I asked my brother the tax CPA and he said, "file electronically".  I got a refund a few weeks later.  Sometimes I wonder if I'd have a refund yet if I hadn't filed electronically.  At some point I'm likely to get a nasty letter when they get to my paper return, but too bad.

My 2021 return will be electronic.  It comes "free" with the version of TurboTax I have to buy since my finances are complicated and my income is too high for any free versions.