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The approaching 2022 tax season for submitting 2021 returns will be the third after the COVID-19 epidemic struck in early 2020. If you’re like many tax professionals, your employees are returning to work, or have already returned, while most of the nation resumes normal business operations. So, when can i file my taxes for 2022 ?

Unlikely. Aside from long-term health issues, a number of new tax legislation features may complicate matters for certain filers, as well as possible mistakes to avoid. Furthermore, chances for year-end tax reform with a big effect are improving. Let us refer to this as the “new normal.”

Begin with the April 15, 2022, tax-filing deadline for individuals to submit tax returns for the fiscal year 2021. Because of the COVID outbreak, the IRS moved up the tax return filing deadline to July for the 2020 tax season. The deadline was moved again to May 2021 in 2021. Barring any unexpected circumstances, the IRS is not likely to modify the deadline for 2022. At the very least, this should be business as usual.

Consider, however, some of the new tax deductions included in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which entered into effect in 2021. Clients may find themselves in unusual positions as a consequence of this. Here are a few typical instances.

Economic Impact Payments (EIPs): The third round of EIPs (Economic Impact Payments) started in March. The maximum EIP payment of $1,400, including payments for qualifying dependents, is tax-free. Clients may, however, have received less than they are entitled to and, as a result, be eligible for a credit on their 2021 tax return.

Child Tax Credit: ARPA increased the maximum CTC to $3,000 ($3,600 for children under the age of six), made the credit fully refundable, and authorized advance payments of the credit. In July, the IRS started making advance CTC payments. This must be accounted for when you file 2021 tax returns in 2022 and may generate tax issues. Clients should be warned that their tax return may be less than they anticipated owing to CTC payments made in advance.

Dependent care credits: Under ARPA, the maximum dependent care credit for 2021 is raised to $4,000 for one kid and $8,000 for two or more children (up from $600 and $1,200, respectively) for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. Furthermore, the credit is made totally refundable. Ascertain that your customers are enjoying the most tax benefits on their 2021 returns.

Unemployment benefits: The new legislation also includes a one-of-a-kind tax relief for some individuals who lost their jobs in 2020. In summary, if your AGI was less than $150,000, the first $10,200 in unemployment compensation is tax-free. However, many taxpayers have lost out on this tax advantage, so carefully examine your customers’ circumstances.

COBRA subsidies: Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, workers who leave a firm may decide to maintain health care coverage for a certain period of time (typically up to 18 months) (COBRA). However, the workers must foot the bill (plus a standard 2 percent administrative fee). Fortunately, ARPA provides a full reimbursement for COBRA premiums from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. These payments are fully tax-free for people who receive them. Employers may be able to recuperate their expenditures via a payroll tax credit.

As a consequence, this year’s tax season is shaping up to be another difficult one for both individuals and tax preparers. Furthermore, in Washington, the drums are banging harder for tax hikes that might be implemented by the end of the year. Don’t expect everything to return to “normal” just soon.