Per Diem Rates from the U.S. General Services Administration
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Rates are set by fiscal year, effective October 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States ("CONUS Rates").
IRS Backlog of Unprocessed 2020 Returns
Meet Ken Corbin:
Ken Corbin has two roles: he's the IRS’ first Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer, and also, Commissioner of the Wage and Investment Division, with responsibility for 36,000 employees, located in over 375 sites nationwide, who are administering tax laws governing individual U.S. wage earners.
He recently said: "Out of the nearly 168 million 2020 tax returns we received, as of December 4, 2021, we had 6.7 million unprocessed individual returns and 2.6 million unprocessed Forms 1040-X." (Form 1040-X is an amended return.)
That's 9.3 million individual returns in the hopper from last year's tax season. How long it will take for people to get their refund this tax season is any body's guess.
Commissioner Corbin blames the processing delays on the large inventory of tax returns waiting to be processed due to several factors, including the pandemic. He goes on to say, "...the IRS is correcting significantly more errors on 2020 tax returns than in previous years. More than 10 million electronically filed returns contained errors requiring a manual review of the return information."
Corbin also stated that, "accurate returns filed electronically" with refunds due were "out the door within 21 days for those using direct deposit."
Steps to Make Tax Filing Easier:
Each fall, the IRS launches a “Get Ready for Taxes” campaign that encourages taxpayers to prepare to file, including what actions to take and what to know before filing season begins, and how to get help.
Commissioner Corbin Offers the Following tips to file a complete and accurate 2021 return:
- Gather all necessary records, such as W-2s, 1099s, receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support an item of income, or a deduction or credit, appearing on a tax return.
- Develop a system that keeps all important information together, including a software program for electronic records or a file cabinet for paper documents in labeled folders. Having all records readily at hand makes preparing a tax return easier.
- Compile all year-end income documents, such as:
- Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income
- Form 1099-INT, Interest Income
- Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation
- Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, such as unemployment compensation or state tax refund
- Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statements
- Help avoid a processing delay by waiting until you to have all 2021 tax information.
In addition to organizing tax records, a special page on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take to prepare to file a 2021 tax return. This includes information about viewing or creating an Online Account.
It's now easier for more taxpayers to use the IRS's new Secure Access Digital Identity (SADI) process to verify their information. In addition, this page also explains how to set up a bank account, if needed, so a tax refund can be direct deposited.
Things to Consider:
You should file a 2021 tax return even if you're not required to. If you already paid some federal income tax by having taxes withheld from a paycheck, you may qualify for a tax refund, available only by filing a return.
In addition, individuals who didn't qualify for the third Economic Impact Payment or did not receive the full amount may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 2021 tax situation. Those eligible will need to file a 2021 tax return.
In early 2022, the IRS will send out Letter 6475 to provide the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payments that individuals received.
Individuals can also get this information by logging in to their IRS Online Account with their existing ID.me account or their IRS online account user name to securely access their Economic Impact Payment amounts.
Ho to Get a Faster Refund:
Electronic filing and direct deposit will get you the fastest refund. Commissioner Corbin recommends filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return to avoid refund delays.
If you need a tax refund quickly, do not file on paper – use software, a trusted tax professional or Free File on IRS.gov, says Corbin. For people with no issues with their tax return, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit.
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Reconcile Advance Child Tax Credit Payments:
If you received advance payments, you need to file a 2021 tax return. You'll need to compare the advance Child Tax Credit payments that you received with the amount of the Child Tax Credit that you can properly claim on your 2021 tax return. This includes people who successfully used the Non-Filer tool in 2021.
In January 2022, the IRS will send out Letter 6419 with the total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that you received in 2021. To avoid a processing delay, you'll need the total amount and should watch for your Letter 6419 from the IRS before you file.
If you don’t have a letter or you have questions about the amount you received, you can see the total advance Child Tax Credit payment amount using your IRS Online Account (if you set one up). See Reconciling Your Advance Child Tax Credit Payments on Your 2021 Tax Return for more information.
If You're Still Waiting for Your 2020 Return to be Processed:
People whose tax returns from 2020 have not yet been processed can still file their 2021 tax returns.
For anyone in this group filing electronically, they'll need their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from their most recent tax return when they file electronically. For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be processed, make sure to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last year's AGI on the 2021 tax return.