The government has put in place a number of tax relief measures to lessen the burden as people have struggled with job loss, business closures, and financial uncertainty.

This essay will examine the effects of COVID-19 on taxes and how independent contractors might deal with the evolving tax environment. 

Deadlines for Tax Filing and Payment

The extending of the tax filing and payment deadlines is among COVID-19’s most significant adjustments. The IRS delayed the due date for filing and paying federal income taxes for the 2020 tax year from April 15 to May 17, 2021 in response to the pandemic. Which mean it also impacted their tax refund.

This extension was made available to enable taxpayers—particularly those who were having financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic—more time to prepare and file their tax returns.Self-employed people, who normally file their taxes using Form 1040 and Schedule C, are also covered by this extension. 

If a freelancer is having trouble meeting the May 17 deadline, they can submit Form 4868 by the due date to request an extension. Their deadline to submit their tax returns will be October 15, 2021.

Tax relief initiatives

The government has put in place a number of tax relief provisions to give additional relief to taxpayers impacted by the pandemic. For instance, the CARES Act, which became law in March 2020, gave qualified people and families access to economic impact payments, commonly referred to as stimulus payments. 

Based on their 2019 or 2020 tax reports, freelancers who qualified for stimulus funds should have automatically received them. The payments did not have to be repaid and were not taxable.

Numerous tax-relief measures were also offered by the CARES Act to enterprises and self-employed people. For instance, the statute permitted a temporary suspension of the 10% penalty for early retirement account withdrawals due to coronaviruses. Additionally, it offered tax credits to companies who kept their staff members throughout the pandemic.

The CARES Act also extends certain restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses (NOLs) to offset taxable income and increases the amount of charitable contributions that can be written off on tax returns.

Local and State Tax Relief

Many states and municipal governments have also established their own tax relief measures in reaction to the pandemic, in addition to federal tax relief measures. For instance, some states have extended the dates by which taxes must be filed and paid, while others have given tax breaks to companies that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

Freelancers who have questions about the tax relief options in their state can speak with a tax expert or check the website of the state’s department of revenue. 

Getting Around the Changing Tax Environment

With new relief measures and modifications to tax legislation being introduced on a regular basis as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, the tax environment is fast evolving. 

Due to this, it may be difficult for independent contractors to understand their tax obligations and utilize all applicable tax benefits.It’s crucial to keep informed and seek the counsel of a tax expert if you want to make sure you are using all the tax relief options and breaks that are open to you. 

You can better grasp the shifting tax landscape and how it affects your particular tax status by working with a tax professional.In addition to consulting a professional, independent contractors can take measures to keep up with the most recent changes in the tax law. 

This can involve reading blogs and periodicals about taxes as well as frequently checking the IRS website for updates and news.

Bottomline

In conclusion, the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly affected taxes, and a number of tax incentives are available to help people and businesses deal with the effects on their finances. 

These include the Employee Retention Credit, tax relief initiatives, and stimulus payments. To make sure you are utilizing all prospective tax benefits and averting any conceivable tax problems, it is crucial to stay up to date on the most recent adjustments and modifications to tax laws and regulations.