Employment tax tips

Whether you're a small business owner, a freelancer, or a full-time employee, there's a lot you need to know about how your professional status affects your tax situation.

Has your employment status changed?

4 ways COVID-19 may impact your taxes

Chief Tax Information Officer Mark Steber discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on the employment status of millions of taxpayers and the ways it may impact their tax returns.

COVID-19 impact

Covid-19 Unemployment & Tax Relief for Self-Employed, Freelance, and Gig Workers

Traditionally, freelancers and gig workers have been unable to claim unemployment benefits. Independent contractors and their clients don't pay into state unemployment funds by default. However, with the unprecedented situation that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, self-employed workers who otherwise wouldn't normally qualify for unemployment may now be eligible for payments.

by Mark Steber | July 8, 2020

Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits and the CARES Act

In late March 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act. It’s an enormous stimulus bill designed to help protect businesses and individuals from the economic effects of the shutdown in response to the Coronavirus.

by Jo Willetts, EA | April 20, 2020

Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses Under the CARES Act

Shutting down nonessential businesses may have been necessary to slow the coronavirus, but it’s nonetheless leaving staggering economic hardship in its wake. Recognizing the impending financial crisis, especially to small businesses, Congress passed two important bills to provide economic relief. The first was the CARES Act in March 2020. The second was the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement (PPPHCE) Act on April 21.

by Mark Steber | May 4, 2020

Employment types for credits and deductions

Self-Employment

Are you self-employed? Here’s how to know what you might be able to deduct from your income and how your status as a self-employed worker affects your tax return.

Military

Did you know that being a member of the military can involve a slew of tax breaks?

If you are currently serving in the US Armed Forces – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and any active reserve unit – you are allowed special tax considerations for certain items and situations.

Unemployment

How does unemployment affect my taxes in 2019? If you’ve received unemployment benefits, they are generally taxable. Most states do not withhold taxes from unemployment benefits voluntarily, but you can request they withhold taxes at your request.

Job Related Credits and Deductions

Job-related expenses

How does tax reform affect unreimbursed Employee Business Expense deductions? Employment-related job expenses are not tax-deductible anymore, meaning workers who spend money for their jobs can't claim them as a tax deduction to get a bigger refund.

Changes in deductions by job

Your profession can affect the deductions you're entitled to claim on your taxes. Find out how tax reform changed the most popular deductions by profession, and find out which ones still apply to you.

Why Jackson Hewitt?

Major Life Changes

Had a second job

Did you do additional work as a freelancer or independent contractor? If you work as a freelancer, independent contractor, for cash, or in a side gig you are considered self-employed and include a Schedule C, Sole Proprietor, on your tax return.

Got a new job

Tax reform has suspended the deduction for job hunting, moving to a new location for a job, and all job related expenses on your federal return. However, many states are not complying with all the federal changes and still allow some, or all, of your job-related expenses.

Lost a job

Did you lose your job this year? Tax reform has eliminated deductions for a lost job – find out how you’ve been affected.

Used your home as an office

Due to tax reform, you can no longer claim these expenses as an employee. However, you can claim the expenses if you are self-employed.

Changed job location

Under tax reform, the moving expenses deduction has been suspended until 2026. Find out how you’re affected.

Your Questions

I’m a self-employed ride share driver. Are there any changes in the way I have to file taxes this year?

If you are a sole proprietor you will still file a Schedule C along with your Form 1040, and if you have a Partnership or S-Corporation, you will report income on Schedule E along with your Form 1040.

Does the Qualified Business Income Deduction apply only to Adjusted Gross Income or does it affect Self-Employment Taxes?

The Qualified Business Income Deduction doesn't apply to Adjusted Gross Income or affect Self-Employment Taxes. It is a deduction after either standard or itemized deductions, and only reduces taxable income.

I used to deduct work clothes i.e. – coveralls, safety glasses, etc. These deductions are no longer allowed. Is there any way I can recoup some of that expense?

Non-reimbursed employee-related expenses are no longer deductible, and there is no tax offset at this time. Talk to your employer about the fact that you can’t make those deductions anymore, and check if their company policy can be changed to reimburse you for your expenses.

Why Jackson Hewitt^®?

WE’LL MAKE IT EASY

We do the work so you don't have to worry. Open late and weekends, no appointment necessary.

WE’LL FIGHT FOR YOU

We're not tax machines. We're Tax Pros who are happy to answer all of your questions.

WE KNOW OUR STUFF

We'll dig deep to get you 100% Accuracy. Maximum Refund Guaranteed.