Here are a few pandemic specific conditions — good and bad — to be aware of when preparing your taxes.
-Unemployment benefits are taxable income, which may surprise some filers.
-Relief checks, part of the CARES Act, are not taxable.
-Working from home became the norm in 2020 for many people, but most won't likely be able to claim expenses for their new work-from-home setup. The home-office deduction can only be taken by businesses or the self-employed.
-One bright spot is a new, temporary deduction for charitable donations. As part of the CARES Act, taxpayers can deduct up to $300 for cash donations given to charity even if they choose to take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing their deductions.
-The IRS has yet to announce when the tax filing season will open; it typically begins in early January.
(KSAT) Photo: Getty