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Stay safe and enjoy each other...

My office is across the hallway from our HR manager. Employee comes in to the office today asking for his W2. Says he needs it right away so he can file before his baby-momma because she took the kids last year and he wants to file first. HR manager explains that the W2s will be coming out mid-January like always. Employee asks "Can I file with my last check stub?" HR manager replies "Yes". Here we go with the start of a new tax season. Tom Modesto, CA

Since today is December 24th, I will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Next week, I'll send wishes for 2021. We'll keep the two separate.

In the past, a taxpayer could take their last paystub to H&R Block to qualify for a RAL or RAC. However, their return would not be e-filed until they returned with their W-2. (Full disclosure: I worked in a Premium office and don't think I ever did a RAL or RAC.) PS: After leaving Block, I make sure that I charge MORE than Block. I still do NOT do RALs or RACs or any other bank products.

H & R Blocks advertises that people can bring their last paystub... I guess they use some sort of RALs. I guess the difference between H&R block and myself is that they are running a business like a business and make enough money to pay their executives much more money than what I make and they don't even prepare a return. In my case, I don't make enough money to pay someone to answer my phones. Perception is key and people rather pay double to H & R and the person who will prepare their taxes doesn't even know half of what I know.

IR-2020-279, December 22, 2020 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2021 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on January 1, 2021, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 56 cents per mile driven for business use, down 1.5 cents from the rate for 2020, 16 cents per mile driven for medical, or moving purposes for qualified active duty members of the Armed Forces, down 1 cent from the rate for 2020, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2020. The standard mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-standard-mileage-rates-for-2021