The IRS’s Where’s My Refund now allows you to check the status of your current tax year and two previous years’ refunds. Select any of the three most recent tax years to check your refund status. The tool and more information are found at IRS.gov.

IRS Notices — IRS almost exclusively communicates to taxpayers by mail. If you receive an IRS notice do not throw it away unopened. Clients can drop off or securely upload a scanned copy to us for review.

Did you complete a Form W-4 with your employer’s new hire paperwork and wonder what to withhold? If your 2021 tax return produced a large federal refund or tax amount due, review your current W-4 form.

The IRS has a Tax Withholding Estimator at IRS.gov. It helps you avoid having too much or too little tax withheld from your wages. It also helps self-employed people (who have wage income) estimate tax payments that they should make to avoid unexpected results at tax time. Having too little withheld can result in a tax bill or even a penalty at tax time. Having too much withheld results in less money in your pocket. Check with your employer to update your Form W-4.

For more complex tax situations, contact us for tax planning options.

Getting Married – Report any name change to the Social Security Administration. Address changes should be updated with the United States Postal Service, your employer and the IRS. If you’ll be filing jointly in 2022, review the Form W-4 and tax estimator information (www.IRS.gov).

Kid’s Summer Day Camp – Unlike overnight camps, costs of summer day camps may count toward the child and dependent care credit. Keep any day camp records for your tax organizer.

Summer jobs – Know whether you (or your kids) are an employee or independent contractor. Employee’s taxes are withheld and you’ll receive a W-2 early in 2022; independent contractors are responsible for tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes and receive an earnings Form 1099-NEC. Even if you or your kids didn’t earn a lot, include all summer income when filing returns.

If you’re on 2021 Extension, provide your 2021 tax information as soon as possible to Mierendorf & Co. Contact us with any concerns or delays. Remember that an extension to file your tax return is not an extension of tax payments due. If there is an amount due with your 2021 tax return that was not paid by April 18, 2022, a penalty may be accessed.