Can I file my unemployment taxes next year instead of now?
I received unemployment benefits this year from NYS Department of Labor and I'm wondering if I can wait until next year to file my taxes on those benefits? My situation is complicated because I had multiple jobs throughout the year and some periods of unemployment. I got the 1099-G form from NYS Department of Labor showing I received about $8,200 in UI benefits. Money is really tight right now and I'm hoping I can delay filing until I'm in a better financial position. Has anyone else dealt with this timing issue?
12 comments
Join the conversation
Sarah Ali
You need to file taxes for the year you received the unemployment benefits, not when it's convenient for you. If you got UI payments in 2024, those need to be reported on your 2024 tax return which is due by April 15, 2025. The 1099-G from NYS Department of Labor shows the total benefits you received during the tax year. You can't just postpone reporting that income to the next year.
0 coins
Megan D'Acosta
•That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'll have to figure out how to handle the tax bill when it comes.
0 coins
Ryan Vasquez
Yeah the IRS doesn't care about your financial situation when it comes to reporting unemployment income. However, you might qualify for payment plans if you end up owing taxes. Also check if you had taxes withheld from your UI payments - you could select that option when you were filing your weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor. If you did, you might not owe as much as you think.
0 coins
Megan D'Acosta
•I think I did have some taxes withheld but I'm not sure how much. Where can I check that on the 1099-G?
0 coins
Ryan Vasquez
•Box 4 on your 1099-G will show federal taxes withheld. If there's an amount there, that reduces what you'll owe when you file.
0 coins
Avery Saint
I was in a similar situation last year. Had to report all my unemployment from NYS Department of Labor even though I was still struggling financially. The good news is that if you can't pay the full amount when you file, you can set up an installment plan with the IRS. Don't skip filing though - the penalties for not filing are way worse than the penalties for filing but not paying immediately.
0 coins
Megan D'Acosta
•How do you set up the installment plan? Do you have to wait until after you file?
0 coins
Taylor Chen
If you're having trouble reaching someone at the IRS about payment options, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people get through to government agencies when the phone lines are always busy. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it to finally talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my claim issues, but I think they work with other agencies too.
0 coins
Keith Davidson
•Never heard of that but honestly anything that helps with getting through government phone systems sounds worth trying.
0 coins
Ezra Bates
wait im confused, i thought unemployment wasn't taxable?? i never paid taxes on mine
0 coins
Sarah Ali
•Unemployment benefits are definitely taxable income at the federal level. There was a special exemption for part of 2020 unemployment due to COVID but that's long over. You should probably check if you need to file amended returns for any years you didn't report UI benefits.
0 coins
Ezra Bates
•oh no... i received benefits for like 6 months last year and never reported any of it
0 coins