NY unemployment $10,200 tax waiver letters arriving - anyone received theirs?
Just wondering if anyone has received their letter from NY state about the $10,200 unemployment tax exemption? I heard they started sending them out but haven't gotten mine yet. Filed my taxes back in February and claimed unemployment all through 2024. Should I be worried if I haven't received anything yet? Has anyone gotten theirs and how long did it take?
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AstroAdventurer
Got mine 3 days ago actually! It basically confirmed that the first $10,200 of my unemployment benefits from 2024 is exempt from federal taxes. The letter had my total benefit amount and how much was being exempted. If you filed in February, you should definitely have it by now. Maybe call the tax department?
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Carmen Lopez
•Thanks for replying! Did you have to do anything after getting the letter? I'm wondering if I need to amend my return or if they automatically adjust it.
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Andre Dupont
The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance is sending these letters out in batches through June 2025. There's no need to worry if you haven't received yours yet. The letter is just a confirmation that you qualify for the exemption. If you already filed your taxes and didn't claim the exemption, the IRS will automatically recalculate your taxes and issue a refund if applicable. You generally don't need to file an amended return unless you become eligible for additional credits or deductions as a result of the lower AGI.
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Carmen Lopez
•That's a relief! I wasn't sure if I needed to do something proactive or just wait. Thanks for the detailed info.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
I got mine last week but my neighbor hasn't gotten hers yet and we both filed around the same time. I think they're just slow sending them out like everything else with unemployment lol
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Jamal Wilson
•Same experience here. My husband got his letter two weeks ago, but I'm still waiting for mine even though we filed jointly. The system seems completely random.
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Mei Lin
I NEVER got my letter and just got a bill from the IRS saying I owe $1200 more!!! Called the tax dept 15 times and can't get through to a real person. The automated system is useless and keeps disconnecting me. This whole thing is RIDICULOUS!!
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Liam Fitzgerald
•Those IRS wait times are the worst! I had a similar issue last month trying to reach someone about my benefits. After wasting hours on hold, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent. They have this service that basically calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much time! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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GalacticGuru
Can some1 explain what this $10,200 thing even is? Am I supposed to get money back or something? I got unemployment for like 4 months last year but didnt get any letter
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Andre Dupont
•The $10,200 tax exemption means that you don't have to pay federal income tax on the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits you received in 2024. So if you had taxes withheld from your unemployment payments, you might get some of that money back. Or if you didn't have taxes withheld and would normally owe money on those benefits, you might owe less now.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
wait does anyone know if this affects state taxes too or just federal? I'm confused because the letter is coming from NY state but talks about federal taxes???
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Andre Dupont
•Great question. This exemption is only for federal taxes, not NY state taxes. You still have to pay NY state income tax on all of your unemployment benefits. The letters are coming from NY because they're required to notify recipients, but the exemption itself is a federal tax benefit.
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Jamal Wilson
I think the distribution of these letters depends on your last name too. They seem to be going alphabetically. My last name starts with A and I got mine three weeks ago. My sister's last name starts with W (she's married) and she hasn't received hers yet.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
•That makes sense! My last name starts with D and I got mine, but my neighbor's starts with T and she's still waiting.
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Carmen Lopez
Update: My letter finally arrived yesterday! Looks like they are just taking their time sending them out. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
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AstroAdventurer
•Great! Did it have the amount you expected? Mine seemed a little off.
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Mei Lin
i still cant get thru to nyone at the tax dept about my problem... been trying for DAYS!!!!! this is y everyone hates dealing with the govt!!!!
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Liam Fitzgerald
•Try calling right when they open at 8:30am. That's usually when it's easiest to get through. If that doesn't work, seriously check out that Claimyr service I mentioned. It was worth it to not waste hours on hold.
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GalacticGuru
Just checked my mail n i got mine 2day!!! says i dont owe tax on $10,200. but im confused do i need 2 do anything with this letter or just keep it for my records?
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Andre Dupont
•Just keep the letter for your records. If you already filed your taxes without claiming the exemption, the IRS will automatically adjust your return and send any additional refund you're entitled to. You don't need to take any action unless your lower AGI makes you eligible for additional credits or deductions.
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