What should I do about tax debt after a job loss?
Unemployment pay is taxable income. If no tax was held back, you may owe at tax time. If you can't pay because of lost income, a payment plan or a pause in collection may help.
You can have federal tax held from unemployment with Form W-4V, or make quarterly estimated payments.
If you take money from a 401(k) or IRA before 59 and a half, you may owe a 10% extra tax on top of income tax. There are some exceptions.
If your income only covers basic living costs, ask the IRS about currently not collectible status.
Key facts
- Your Form 1099-G
- Whether tax was held from your benefits
- Any early retirement withdrawals
- Your monthly income and basic bills
- Your total IRS balance
Options that may help
Spread the bill out. A short plan of 180 days has no setup fee.
A pause if you can't cover basic costs.
If you have a clean 3 year record, ask about First Time Abate.
Results depend on your situation. Not every case qualifies.
Common questions
What if my 1099-G is wrong?
Contact your state unemployment agency to fix it. If someone filed for benefits in your name, report it.
Source: IRS: Unemployment compensation
Does the IRS charge less on a plan?
If you filed on time, the late payment penalty drops to 0.25% a month on an approved plan.
Source: IRS: Failure to pay penalty
Sources
General information, not tax or legal advice. You can contact the IRS yourself for free at irs.gov.