Taxation of Unemployement
June 02, 2021
The Utah State Tax Commission has issued a press release regarding the taxation of unemployment benefits. We have not received a commitment from the Internal Revenue Service to timely share changes to returns, excluding $10,200 of employment benefits from federal adjusted gross income. In the meantime, we have been receiving a number of calls from taxpayers asking us if they can file amended returns to claim the benefits of changes in the law.
This FAQ provides guidance to taxpayers
For Immediate Release
June 2, 2021
Update on Taxability of Unemployment Compensation
Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah State Tax Commission will now allow an amended 2020 Tax Return to be filed to exclude, from the federal adjusted gross income, unemployment compensation of up to $10,200.
Treatment of Unemployment Compensation
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows an exclusion of unemployment compensation of up to $10,200 for individuals for taxable year 2020. In the case of married individuals filing a joint Form 1040 or 1040-SR, this exclusion is up to $10,200 per spouse.
To determine if you qualify for this exclusion, see the adjusted gross income (AGI) and filing status requirements below:
Filing Status AGI Unemployment Compensation Exclusion
Single less than $150,000 up to $10,200
Qualified Widow(er) less than $150,000 up to $10,200
Head of Household less than $150,000 up to $10,200
Married Filing separate less than $150,000 up to $10,200
Married Filing Joint less than $150,000 up to $20,400 ($10,200 per spouse)
does not double
Any unemployment compensation in excess of $10,200 ($10,200 per spouse if married filing jointly) should still be included on the tax return in adjusted gross income.
Did you already file a tax return?
If you already filed a tax return that includes the full amount of your unemployment compensation, and are waiting for the IRS is automatically correct the federal return, you can still file a Utah amended return. You will need to figure out your correct AGI (adjusted gross income), taking into account the unemployment compensation exempt from federal income tax, in order to correctly calculate the tax on your amended Utah return. Please file a paper form TC-40 and use the amended code 06. See tax.utah.gov for the latest changes to filing requirements.
Utah will refund any overpayment or apply it to other outstanding taxes owed. Refunds may take 2-3 months to process.