We trust you had a wonderful holiday season and are heading into 2021 as hopeful as we are. Given the complexities that the state of the COVID-19 pandemic presents to our tax preparation services, we wanted to provide you with our plan for the impending tax preparation process. This year, more than ever, we are asking for your patience as we navigate stretched resources on our tax team due to social distancing requirements in the office & remote work. We will be doing our best to leverage technology to help us complete and file your returns in a timely manner. Please find below our framework for the coming months.
Organizers
- Look for your Organzier by Email – The tax organizer will be sent by a secure email, which must be opened within 24 hours of receipt or the link will expire.
- Paper Copy Available if Necessary – If you would prefer that we mail you a paper copy of the organizer, please let us know. (if you requested paper last year, you will receive it by mail again this year).
- Use the Organizer as a Guide -- Please download the PDF to your computer for your use as the tax documents for 2020 start to arrive. Many clients choose to use this as a guide for what documents they can expect to receive based on the previous year. You do not need to write in the organizer, but it is helpful if you check the items off as they arrive.
Appointments
- All tax appointments will be remote and will be with Jason or Sonia, or both depending on your tax situation– Scheduled appointments will take place by Zoom video conference or phone (whichever is most convenient for you).
- Tax Document Collection -- We are happy to provide you with a pre-paid UPS label to send us your tax documents. Another option is to upload them to your document vault on our client website.
- If you do not need an appointment please send us your documents and we will email you with any questions that come up.
Deadlines & Completion Expectations
- Due to staffing restrictions and social distancing requirements, we anticipate longer turn-around times than in year's past.
- Our last date for tax meetings prior to the April 15th deadline will be March 12th.
- Extensions -- If we filed an extension for you last year, please expect the same this year. If you generally file before the April 15th tax deadline, we will do our best to accommodate that again for this tax season.
Small Business Owners
- PPP Loans – If you received a Payroll Protection Plan Loan, your tax return will need to be put on extension this year. We are still awaiting final regulations from the federal government on requirements for tax filing as it pertains to these loans. If you received a PPP Loan please let our office know immediately.
- Other Loans – If you received any other corona virus-related loans, please advise us of this immediately.
Extension Timelines
- Extended tax returns can be filed as early as May & as late as October 15. We will be flexible in meeting your needs in filing your extended return on your timeline.
Other Considerations
- e-File -- Our e-File authorization allows us to use DocuSign and we plan on using it for all tax returns that allow it.
- Retirement Plan/Account Contribution Deadlines -- Traditional & Roth IRA accounts must be funded by April 15, regardless of whether your return filing is extended. We recommend making these contributions by the first week of April. SEP IRA & Profit Sharing Plans can be funded up until the due date of an extended return. Our office will provide you with a covernote & instructions for contribution upon your request.
We will be in touch in the coming weeks as we begin the process of preparing returns. We will do our best to make this tax season as smooth of an experience as possible. Please know that you may hear from a few members of our team as your return is prepared depending on where we are in the process of completing the filing.
This communication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For specific professional assistance, the services of an appropriate professional should be sought.
***Tax Services Not Affiliated with First Allied.