Will I get NY unemployment tax refund if I used 2019 income to file?

Yes, you should still get it. The IRS is automatically adjusting returns for people who filed before the law changed. They're doing it in phases, starting with single filers with no dependents, then moving to more complex returns. You don't need to do anything - just wait. If you used 2019 income instead of 2020 for a better refund that's fine, they're still looking at the unemployment you received in 2020 separately.

After struggling with this exact issue for weeks, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and finally got someone on the phone who could help me. Honestly getting connected to a real person was all I needed - they sorted everything out in like 10 minutes. Talking to an agent got my refund processed so much faster than waiting for the automated system to maybe eventually get to my case. Check out their explanation video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I think your confusing a couple things here. There was the option to use 2019 income INSTEAD of 2020 income to calculate your Unemployment benefit amount when you first applied. That's different from the tax refund situation, which is about federal taxes on the UI benefits you received. If you collected unemployment in 2020, the first $10,200 per person is tax-free federally (not for NY state taxes tho). The IRS is supposed to automatically recalculate and send refunds.

i got my refund last week and I filed using 2019 income. took forever tho. the IRS is processing these adjustments in batches and they're way behind schedule. some people got theirs months ago and others are still waiting. its all a mess 😫

My sister had this exact issue. The transcript site is completely useless - crashes constantly or locks you out. She ended up having to call the IRS directly which was a whole ordeal, but she did confirm that yes, you'll still get the adjustment even if you used 2019 income for your tax advantage calculation. The unemployment tax break is separate from that choice.

Here's what I know about this whole unemployment tax refund situation: The American Rescue Plan made the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits tax-free for people with incomes under $150k. This happened in March 2021, after many people had already filed taxes. If you filed early, the IRS is SUPPOSED to automatically recalculate your taxes and refund any overpayment. They're doing this in phases, and the more complicated your return, the longer it takes. Using 2019 income to calculate your benefit amount when you first applied for unemployment is completely separate from this tax issue. The tax break applies to whatever unemployment you actually received in 2020, regardless of how your benefit was calculated. If you're still struggling to get answers, I highly recommend using claimyr.com to get through to a real person. I spent weeks trying to get information before discovering this service, and it saved me countless hours of frustration. They connect you directly with agents who can give you case-specific answers instead of the generic info online. Also worth checking your bank account periodically - some people reported getting the refund with no notice at all from the IRS!

NY unemployment system is such a joke. The fact that none of us can even check our status without jumping through 500 hoops... I've given up and just hope money appears in my account someday 🤡

has anyone else noticed that their refund amount was way less than expected? I only got like $300 back when I was expecting closer to $1000 based on what I paid in taxes on my unemployment

Pro tip: if you filed married filing jointly, you'll be in the last batch of adjustments. My wife and I just got ours last week even though our single friends got theirs months ago.

The most FRUSTRATING thing about all of this is the complete lack of communication from the IRS. Why is it so hard to just tell people where they stand in the process?! We're all just left guessing and checking our accounts every day like it's the lottery.

I actually got through to someone at the IRS last month (miracle, I know). They said even if you used your 2019 income for the lookback provision when filing, they're still adjusting based on the actual unemployment you received in 2020. So yes, you should still get the refund.

Unpopular opinion maybe but why is everyone so worried about this? If you get it great, if not whatever. They'll get to it when they get to it. I filed and forgot about it, then boom random $800 in my account one day. Stop stressing about things you can't control.

There's a lot of confusion surrounding this topic and understandably so - the system is a mess. Here's what you need to know for NY unemployment tax refunds: - Yes, you'll still get the refund even if you used the 2019 lookback provision when filing - The refund is based on unemployment benefits actually received in 2020 - The IRS is processing these automatically - you don't need to amend - Complex returns are taking MUCH longer to process - Direct deposit refunds come faster than paper checks The transcript system is notoriously finicky. If you're desperate to talk to someone, I'd recommend claimyr.com - they helped me connect with an actual human who could check my specific status. It was the best money I spent after weeks of frustration and uncertainty. Don't lose hope - these refunds are still being processed, just very slowly!

I got mine back in July but my roommate is still waiting for hers. Seems totally random which is typical for ny unemployment 🙃

anybody else try to call the IRS and get that stupid automated message saying "due to high call volume we cannot take your call" and it just HANGS UP ON YOU?? how is this acceptable??

i didn't even know this was a thing until i randomly got $940 deposited in my account from the IRS last month. check your accounts, might already be there!

Friendly reminder that this adjustment is only for FEDERAL taxes. NY State still taxes all your unemployment benefits. Just don't want anyone to be confused about why their refund seems smaller than expected.