Protecting Your Digital Information & Yourself from Ransomware

In a meeting with President Joe Biden last week, business leaders from major technology and insurance firms committed billions of dollars to beefing up cybersecurity defenses desperately needed after several high profile hacks into major infrastructure and technology platforms this year. This is long overdue given the lax approach taken over the past several years by most major firms.

On May 7, 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, which carries almost half of the East Coast's fuel supply from Texas to New Jersey, shut down operations in response to a ransomware attack. A ransomware attack is where a hacker latches on to your computer or network, locks you out and threatens to delete or make your data public if you don't pay a ransom (see below). Colonial paid a $4.4 million ransom not long after discovering the attack, and the pipeline was reopened within a week. While there was enough stored fuel to weather the outage, panic buying caused gasoline shortages on the East Coast and pushed the national average price of gasoline over $3.00 per gallon for the first time since 2014.⁽¹⁾

Ransomware is not new, but the Colonial Pipeline incident demonstrated the risk to critical infrastructure and elicited strong response from the federal government. Remarkably, the Department of Justice recovered most of the ransom, and the syndicate behind the attack, known as DarkSide, announced it was shutting down operations.⁽²⁾

The Department of Homeland Security issued new regulations requiring owners and operators of critical pipelines to report cybersecurity threats within 12 hours of discovery, and to review cybersecurity practices and report the results within 30 days.⁽³⁾ On a broader level, the incident increased focus on government initiatives to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity and create a global coalition to hold countries that shelter cyber criminals accountable.⁽⁴⁾

Malicious Code

Ransomware is malicious code (malware) that infects the victim's computer system, allowing the perpetrator to lock the files and demand a ransom in return for a digital key to restore access. Some attackers may also threaten to reveal sensitive data. There were an estimated 305 million ransomware attacks globally in 2020, a 62% increase over 2019. More than 200 million of them were in the United States.⁽⁵⁾

The recent surge in high-profile ransomware attacks represents a shift by cyber-criminal syndicates from stealing data from "data-rich" targets such as retailers, insurers, and financial companies to locking data of businesses and other organizations that are essential to public welfare. A week after the Colonial Pipeline attack, JBS USA Holdings, which processes one-fifth of the U.S. meat supply, paid an $11 million ransom. ⁽⁶⁾ Health-care systems, which spend relatively little on cybersecurity, are a prime target, jeopardizing patient care.⁽⁷⁾ Other common targets include state and local governments, school systems, and private companies of all sizes.⁽⁸⁾

Ransomware gangs, mostly located in Russia and other Eastern European countries, typically set ransom demands in relation to their perception of the victim's ability to pay, and high-dollar attacks may be resolved through negotiations by a middleman and a cyber insurance company. Although the FBI discourages ransom payments, essential businesses and organizations may not have time to reconstruct their computer systems, and reconstruction can be more expensive than paying the ransom.⁽⁹⁾

Protecting Your Data

While major ransomware syndicates focus on more lucrative targets, plenty of cyber-criminals prey on individual consumers, whether locking data for ransom, gaining access to financial accounts, or stealing and selling personal information.

Most people don't know that before becoming a full time financial planner, I spent about twelve years working for major consulting firms helping with deployment of software, hardware and networking equipment, so I know a few things about data security (where do you think the "geek" came from in my moniker?)

Here are some tips to help make your data more secure: ⁽¹⁰⁾

Use strong passwords and protect them. An analysis of the Colonial Pipeline attack revealed that the attackers gained access through a leaked password to an old account with remote server access.⁽¹¹⁾ Strong passwords are your first line of defense. Use at least 8 to 12 characters with a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Longer and more complex passwords are better. Do not use personal information or dictionary words and use different passwords for different web sites.

One technique is to use a passphrase that you can remember and adapt. For example, Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water could be J&jwuth!!2faPow (please don't use this example as your password!). Though it's tempting to reuse a strong password, it is safer to use different passwords for different accounts. Consider a password manager program that generates random passwords, which you can access through a strong master password. My personal favorite that I've been using for over 15 years is RoboForm, but most well-known password managers do a good job (if you click on the link and subscribe to RoboForm, we'll both get an extra six months added to our subscriptions). Whatever you do, don't share or write down your passwords.

There are no easy answers. Be careful when establishing security questions that can be used for password recovery. It may be better to use fictional answers that you can remember. If a criminal can guess your answer through available information (such as an online profile), he or she can reset your password and gain access to your account.

Take two steps. Two-step authentication, typically a text or email code sent to your mobile device, provides a second line of defense even if a hacker has access to your password. If your device is lost or stolen, immediately call your carrier and lock or wipe your device before they can hijack your accounts. Most devices can be wiped remotely or be set to automatically erase themselves after a set number of failed attempts.

Think before you click. Ransomware and other malicious code are often transferred to the infected computer through a "phishing" email that tricks the reader into clicking on a link. Data thieves have become adept at creating fake e-mails that look 100% legitimate, so you must be vigilant.

If you hover with your mouse over most internet links, you'll see exactly where they'll take you, and it's not necessarily the site that's displayed in the text. Never click on a link in an email or text (or a photo) unless you know the sender, are expecting it, and have a clear idea where the link will take you. Even then, you can't be sure your friend's or relative's e-mail account has not been hacked and a seemingly innocent attachment or link is laced with malware.

Install security software. Install antivirus/anti-malware software, a firewall, and an email filter — and keep them updated. Old outdated antivirus software won't stop new viruses. If your computer, laptop or other devices don't have extra security software, you shouldn't be online. Period. And no, in my opinion, Microsoft Defender is not sufficient to protect your PC. The old thought that Apple Mac devices are safe from vulnerability is no longer true; though safer than PC's, they are prime targets for malicious attacks as well.

Back up your data. Back up regularly to an external hard drive. For added security, disconnect the drive from your computer between backups. Backing up to an online service is a great idea, but your backup might also be infected or affected by malware or ransomware. Only an offline backup, when disconnected at the time of infection, is safe. Never attach the external drive to restore data until you're sure the threat or malware is 100% removed and the device is safe.

Keep your system up-to-date. Use the most recent operating system that can run on your computer and download security updates. Most ransomware attacks target vulnerable operating systems and applications. Fortunately, for better or worse, Microsoft Windows has made is nearly impossible to avoid installing periodic security patches.

Avoid Public Networks for Sensitive or Financial Transactions. Using public Wi-Fi networks is a prime gateway for malware and ransomware attacks. Networks with names like "Free Public WiFi" are meant to lure you in and install Trojan horses onto your device. If you have to type in a password to access an online resource, then you probably don't want to do this on a public network (or at least use a password manager to log you in so your keystrokes aren't tracked). Virtual private network software/services are also a help here.

Secure your entry points. This month alone, my home network router blocked over 4 million port scans and thwarted 75 live threats. If you don't know what this means, then you need a home network security geek or the help of your internet service provider to help you beef up the security of your home network.

Your home network router/switch probably came with a factory set password which is widely known and easily accessed. Changing the default device password is the easiest way to reduce your vulnerability to an outside attack. Most modern day routers come with more user friendly instructions and software on how to disable your guest network and beef up home security. There's no need to broadcast your WiFi network name to your neighbors, so that should be turned off, or you might as well call your home WiFi network "HACKERSWELCOME".

If you see a notice on your computer that you have been infected by a virus or that your data is being held for ransom, it's more likely to be a fake pop-up window than an actual attack. These pop-ups typically have a phone number to call for "technical support" or to make a payment. Do not call the number and do not click on the window or any links. Instead, try exiting your browser and restarting your computer. If you continue to receive a notice or your data is really locked, contact a legitimate technical support provider, but definitely not the one listed in the pop-up window.

For more information and other tips, visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency website at us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/tips.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

^{(1) (2) (11)} Vox, June 8, 2021

⁽³⁾ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, May 27, 2021

⁽⁴⁾ The Washington Post, June 4, 2021

⁽⁵⁾ 2021 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report

⁽⁶⁾ The Wall Street Journal, June 9, 2021

⁽⁷⁾ Fortune, December 5, 2020

⁽⁸⁾ Institute for Security and Technology, 2021

⁽⁹⁾ The New Yorker, June 7, 2021

⁽¹⁰⁾ Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, 2021

Update on the Enhanced Child Tax Credit

Earlier this year in April, I wrote about the changes Congress made to the child tax credit that will benefit many taxpayers. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act that was enacted in March 2021, the child tax credit:

• Amount has increased for certain taxpayers
• Is fully refundable (meaning you can receive it even if you don’t owe the IRS any taxes)
• May be partially received in monthly payments

The new law also raised the age of qualifying children to 17 from 16, meaning that more families will be able to take advantage of the credit for at least one year longer.

The IRS will pay half the credit in the form of advance monthly payments beginning July 15. Taxpayers will then claim the other half when they file their 2021 income tax return.

Though these tax changes are temporary and only apply to the 2021 tax year, they may present important cash flow and financial planning opportunities today. It is also important to note that the monthly advance of the child tax credit is a significant change. The credit is normally part of your income tax return and would reduce your tax liability. The choice to have the child tax credit advanced will affect your refund or amount due when you file your return. To avoid any surprises, please get in touch with us if you're concerned.

Qualifications and how much to expect

The child tax credit and advance payments are based on several factors, including the age of your children and your income.

• The credit for children ages five and younger is up to $3,600 –– with up to $300 received in monthly payments.
• The credit for children ages six to 17 is up to $3,000 –– with up to $250 received in monthly payments.

To qualify for the child tax credit monthly payments, you (and your spouse if you file a joint tax return) must have:

• Filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return and claimed the child tax credit or given the IRS your information using the non-filer tool
• A main home in the U.S. for more than half the year or file a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the U.S. for more than half the year
• A qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number
• Income less than certain limits (see below)

You can take full advantage of the credit if your income (specifically, your modified adjusted gross income) is less than $75,000 for single filers, $150,000 for married filing jointly filers and $112,500 for head of household filers. The credit begins to phase out above those thresholds.

Higher-income families (e.g., married filing jointly couples with $400,000 or less in income or other filers with $200,000 or less in income) will generally get the same credit as prior law (generally $2,000 per qualifying child) but may also choose to receive monthly payments.

Taxpayers generally won’t need to do anything to receive any advance payments as the IRS will use the information it has on file to start issuing the payments.

IRS’s child tax credit update portal

Using the IRS’s child tax credit and update portal, taxpayers can update their information to reflect any new information that might impact their child tax credit amount, such as filing status or number of children. Parents may also use the online portal to elect out of the advance payments or check on the status of payments.

The IRS also has a non-filer portal to use for certain situations.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

Inflation: Transitory or Here to Stay?

From leading indicators to business surveys to initial unemployment claims, the economic message is clear: The 2020 COVID-19 recession is over! Although the NBER (National Bureau of Economic Research) has yet to make their official announcement, my bet is that the recession ending point is backdated all the way to last autumn, or even earlier. That's how economics often works… with perfect 20/20 hindsight.

As the economy’s emergence from pandemic restrictions exceeds widespread forecasts and expectations, so do underlying pressures in other areas vital to the stock market’s outlook. And with the combination of a potential valuation bubble on Wall Street and corresponding housing bubble on Main Street, investor sensitivity to interest rates has never been higher.

In April 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.8%, the largest one-month increase since August 2012. Over the previous 12 months, the increase was 4.2%, the highest year-over-year inflation rate since September 2008 (4.9% over prior 12 months). By contrast, inflation in 2020 was just 1.4%. ⁽¹⁾

The annual increase in CPI-U — often called headline inflation — was due in part to the fact that the index dropped in March 2020, the beginning of the U.S. economic shutdown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the current 12-month comparison is to an unusual low point in prices. The index dropped even further in April 2020, and this "base effect" will continue to skew annual data through June. ⁽²⁾

The monthly April increase, which followed a substantial 0.6% increase in March, is more indicative of the current situation. Economists expect inflation numbers to rise for some time. The question is whether they represent a temporary anomaly or the beginning of a more worrisome inflationary trend.

Measuring Prices

In considering the prospects for inflation, it's important to understand some of the measures that economists use.

CPI-U measures the price of a fixed market basket of goods and services. As such, it is a good measure of prices consumers pay if they buy the same items over time, but it does not reflect changes in consumer behavior and can be unduly influenced by extreme increases in specific categories.

In setting economic policy, the Federal Reserve prefers a different inflation measure called the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, which is even broader than the CPI and adjusts for changes in consumer behavior — i.e. when consumers shift to purchase a different item because the preferred item is too expensive. More specifically, the Fed looks at core PCE, which rose 0.7% in April and 3.6% for the previous 12 months, slightly lower than core CPI but much higher than the Fed's target of 2% for healthy economic growth. ⁽³⁾

A Hot Economy

Based on the core numbers, inflation is not yet running high, but there are clear inflationary pressures on the U.S. economy. Loose monetary policies by the central bank and trillions of dollars in government stimulus could create excess money supply as the economy reopens. Pent-up consumer demand for goods and services is likely to rise quickly, fueled by stimulus payments and healthy savings accounts built by those who worked through the pandemic with little opportunity to spend their earnings. Businesses that shut down or cut back when the economy was closed may not be able to ramp up quickly enough to meet demand. Supply-chain disruptions and higher costs for raw materials, transportation, and labor have already led some businesses to raise prices. ⁽⁴⁾

According to the April Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 8.4% in the second quarter of 2021 and by 6.4% for the year — a torrid annual growth rate that would be the highest since 1984. As with the base effect for inflation, it's important to keep in mind that this follows a 3.5% GDP decline in 2020. Even so, the expectation is for a hot economy through the end of the year, followed by solid 3.2% growth in 2022 before slowing down to 2.4% in 2023. ⁽⁵⁾⁽⁶⁾

Three Scenarios

As investors have become increasingly concerned about inflation, the Federal Reserve has given countless reassurances that current pricing pressures will be “transitory” and short-lived. Yet mounting evidence has seemingly turned this debate into the Fed versus the World.

Will the economy get too hot to handle? Though all economists expect inflation numbers to rise in the near term, there are three different views on the potential long-term effects.

The most sanguine perspective, held by many economic policymakers including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, is that the impact will be short-lived and due primarily to the base effect with little or no long-term consequences. ⁽⁷⁾ Inflation has been abnormally low since the Great Recession, consistently lagging the Fed's 2% target. In August 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced that it would allow inflation to run moderately above 2% for some time in order to create a 2% average over the longer term. Given this policy, the FOMC is unlikely to raise interest rates unless core PCE inflation runs well above 2% for an extended period. ⁽⁸⁾ The mid-March FOMC projection sees core PCE inflation at just 2.2% by the end of 2021, and the benchmark federal funds rate remaining at 0.0% to 0.25% through the end of 2023. ⁽⁹⁾

The second view believes that inflation may last longer, with potentially wider consequences, but that any effects will be temporary and reversible.

The third perspective is that inflation could become a more extended problem that may be difficult to control. Both camps project that the base effects will be amplified by "demand-pull" inflation, where demand exceeds supply and pushes prices upward. The more extreme view believes this might lead to a "cost-push" effect and inflationary feedback loop where businesses, faced with less competition and higher costs, would raise prices preemptively, and workers would demand higher wages in response. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Is Current Inflation "Transitory?

Dual surveys from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are ringing alarm bells, as the ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid Index has surged to one of its highest readings on record, led by widespread commodity price increases. As stated by one respondent to the ISM survey, “In 35 years of purchasing, I’ve never seen anything like these extended lead times and rising prices – from colors, film, corrugate to resins, they’re all up.” Likewise, even in the Service Sector the Prices Paid Index shot higher and is nearing a 25-year high.

Low inventories among companies that produce goods will undoubtedly keep price pressures high as companies scramble to replenish their depleted inventory and meet the unexpectedly high demand.” And prices have, indeed, continued to rise, while restocking efforts have been unable to prevent customer inventories from falling to a record low.

Central to the Fed’s “transitory inflation” argument is the belief that supply/demand pressures will quickly subside as inventories rebound. My concern is that broader evidence suggests inflation could be far stickier than the Fed expects.

From groceries to lumber to cars and even chickens, inflation pressures are being felt by consumers and businesses. The widespread nature of today’s inflation is one of the factors that suggest pricing pressures may be more deep-rooted than the Fed believes.

Perhaps most importantly, business owners are also facing higher wage costs as qualified labor is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that a record 44% of small businesses have unfilled positions, and over half of those with job openings reported that there were few or no qualified applicants.

Historically, wage inflation can be notoriously sticky, and the disparity between the NFIB Job Openings and reported Wage Inflation is a gap that will almost certainly be closed in the year ahead. This casts further doubt on the Fed’s narrative that inflation will surely be “transitory.” And unfortunately for the Fed, wage inflation–once ingrained–can typically only be reversed by a recession.

As businesses are facing higher input expenses, they are already making plans to pass these costs on to their customers. The National Federation of Small Business' survey of small businesses shows that plans to raise selling prices have reached the second highest level since 1981 – a time when inflation was running near 10%.

Maintaining Perspective

Although it's too early to tell whether current inflation numbers will lead to a longer-term shift, you can expect higher prices for some items as the economy reopens. Consumers don't like higher prices, but it's important to keep these increases in perspective. Gasoline, jet fuel, and other petroleum prices are rising after being deeply depressed during the pandemic. Airline ticket prices are increasing but remain below their pre-pandemic level. Used cars and trucks are more expensive than before the pandemic, but clothing is still cheaper. ⁽¹¹⁾ Food is up 3.5% over the last 12 months, a significant increase but not extreme for prices that tend to be volatile. ⁽¹²⁾

Anyone who has tried to buy or build a home in the past six months is aware of the rising stresses in the housing market. Home prices are soaring, not only here in the U.S. but on a global basis as well.

History has shown that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the Federal Reserve to dampen or halt the imminent impact of the red-hot labor and housing market on the economy. Any cost surprises will undoubtedly be to the upside in the months and year ahead, and that does not bode well for inflation news OR for the Fed’s reassurance of “transitory” inflation.

For now, it may be helpful to remember that "headline inflation" does not always represent the larger economy. And with interest rates near zero, the Federal Reserve has plenty of room to make any necessary adjustments to monetary policy.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

Projections are based on current conditions, are subject to change, and may not come to pass.

1, 12) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

2, 4) The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2021

3, 6) U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2021

5) The Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, April 2021

7, 10) Bloomberg, March 29, 2021

8) The Wall Street Journal, April 14, 2021

9) Federal Reserve, 2021

11) The New York Times, April 13, 2021

Enhanced Child Tax Credit for 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) ushered in several tax changes that we highlighted in this post last month. One of those tax changes involves the Enhanced Child Tax Credit.

If you have qualifying children under the age of 18, you may be able to claim a child tax credit (You may also be able to claim a partial credit for certain other dependents who are not qualifying children.) The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 makes substantial and temporary improvements to the child tax credit for 2021, which may increase the amount you might receive.

Ages of qualifying children

The legislation makes 17-year-olds eligible as qualifying children in 2021. Thus, children age 17 and younger are eligible as qualifying children in 2021.

Increase in credit amount

For 2021, the child tax credit amount increases from $2,000 to $3,000 per qualifying child ($3,600 per qualifying child under age 6). The partial credit for other dependents who are not qualifying children remains at $500 per dependent.

Phaseout of credit

The combined child tax credit (the sum of your child tax credits and credits for other dependents) is subject to phaseout based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which for most people, is your total income subject to taxes (this may differ from your taxable income shown on the tax return if you have certain adjustments). Special rules start phasing out the increased portion of the child tax credit in 2021 at much lower thresholds than under pre-existing rules. The credit, as reduced under the special rules for 2021, is then subject to phaseout under the pre-existing phaseout rules.

The following table summarizes the effect of the phaseouts on the child tax credit in 2021, based on MAGI.

Single/Married filing separately	Married filing jointly	Head of household	Combined credit
Up to $75,000	Up to $150,000	Up to $112,500	No reduction in credit
$75,001 to $200,000	$150,001 to $400,000	$112,501 to $200,000	Credit can be reduced to $2,000 per qualifying child, $500 per other dependent
More than $200,000	More than $400,000	More than $200,000	Credit can be reduced to $0

Enhanced Child Tax Credit is Refundable

The aggregate amount of nonrefundable credits allowed is limited to your tax liability. With refundable credits, a taxpayer may receive a tax refund at tax time even if they exceed their tax liability.

For most taxpayers, the child tax credit is fully refundable for 2021. To qualify for a full refund, the taxpayer (or either spouse for joint returns) must generally reside in the United States for more than half of the taxable year. Otherwise,  under the pre-existing rules, a partial refund of up to $1,400 per qualifying child may be available. The credit for other dependents is not refundable.

Advance payments

Eligible taxpayers may receive periodic advance payments for up to half of the refundable child tax credit during 2021, generally based on 2020 tax returns.  The U.S. Treasury will make the payments between July and December 2021. For example, monthly payments could be up to $250 per qualifying child ($300 per qualifying child under age 6). Due to correspondence backlogs and under-staffing at the IRS, it remains to be seen if they can make good on sending out those payments on a timely basis this year.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio, discuss any other financial planning or tax matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

Tax Deadline Extended Amid Tax Changes in American Rescue Plan

2020 Individual Income Tax Return Deadline Extended

The Treasury Department and the IRS have extended the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year from April 15 to May 17. Although this relief applies to any balance due with the return, this relief does not apply to 2021 estimated income tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are oddly still due on April 15, 2021. The IRS will provide formal guidance in the coming days.

The federal tax filing deadline postponement to May 17, 2021 is of no help to self-employed people and others who don't receive a steady source of income because it only applies to individual federal income returns and tax (including tax on self-employment income) payments otherwise due April 15, 2021, not state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax. Given that the first quarterly 2021 estimated income payment due date is April 15, and knowing that it often is based on a prior year return, not extending that deadline as well is an empty gesture by the IRS for these folks. The American Institute of CPA's has appealed to the IRS to act swiftly to remedy this and extend the deadline for all returns and estimates until June 15, 2021. I concur with this appeal.

Taxpayers also will need to file income tax returns in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. State filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. Nonetheless, many states will conform with and follow the new IRS deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details.

American Rescue Plan of 2021

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA 2021) was signed into law. This is a $1.9 trillion emergency relief package that includes payments to individuals and funding for federal programs, vaccines and testing, state and local governments, and schools. It is intended to assist individuals and businesses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and accompanying economic crisis.  Major relief provisions are summarized here, including some tax provisions.

Recovery rebates (stimulus checks)

Many individuals will receive another direct payment from the federal government. Technically a 2021 refundable income tax credit, the rebate amount will be calculated based on 2019 tax returns filed (or on 2020 tax returns if filed and processed by the IRS at the time of determination) and sent automatically via check, direct deposit, or debit card to qualifying individuals. To qualify for a payment, individuals generally must have a Social Security number and must not qualify as the dependent of another individual.

The amount of the recovery rebate is $1,400 ($2,800 if married filing a joint return) plus $1,400 for each dependent. Recovery rebates start to phase out for those with an adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeding $75,000 ($150,000 if married filing a joint return, $112,500 for those filing as head of household). Recovery rebates are completely phased out for those with an AGI of $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing a joint return, $120,000 for those filing as head of household).

Unemployment provisions

The legislation extends unemployment benefit assistance:

• An additional $300 weekly benefit to those collecting unemployment benefits, through September 6, 2021
• An additional 29-week extension of federally funded unemployment benefits for individuals who exhaust their state unemployment benefits
• Targeted federal reimbursement of state unemployment compensation designed to eliminate state one-week delays in providing benefits (allowing individuals to receive a maximum 79 weeks of benefits)
• Unemployment benefits through September 6, 2021, for many who would not otherwise qualify, including independent contractors and part-time workers

For 2020, the legislation also makes the first $10,200 (per spouse for joint returns) of unemployment benefits nontaxable if the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income is less than $150,000. If a 2020 tax return has already been filed, an amended return may be needed. The IRS urges patience on filing amended returns until they issue additional guidance.

Business relief

• The employee retention tax credit has been extended through December 31, 2021. It is available to employers that were significantly impacted by the crisis and is applied to offset Social Security payroll taxes. As in the previous extension, the credit is increased to 70% of qualified wages, up to a certain maximum per quarter.
• The employer tax credits for providing emergency sick and family leave have been extended through September 30, 2021.
• Eligible small businesses can receive targeted economic injury disaster loan advances from the Small Business Administration. The advances are not included in taxable income. Furthermore, no deduction or basis increase is denied, and no tax attribute is reduced by reason of the exclusion from income.
• Eligible restaurants can receive restaurant revitalization grants from the Small Business Administration. The grants are not included in taxable income. Furthermore, no deduction or basis increase is denied, and no tax attribute is reduced by reason of the exclusion from income.

Housing relief

• The legislation allocates additional funds to state and local governments to provide emergency rental and utility assistance through December 31, 2021.
• The legislation allocates funds to help homeowners with mortgage payments and utility bills.
• The legislation also allocates funds to help the homeless.

Health insurance relief

• For those who lost a job and qualify for health insurance under the federal COBRA continuation coverage program, the federal government will generally pay the entire COBRA premium for health insurance from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.
• For 2021, if a taxpayer receives unemployment compensation, the taxpayer is treated as an applicable taxpayer for purposes of the premium tax credit, and the household income of the taxpayer is favorably treated for purposes of determining the amount of the credit.
• Persons who bought their own health insurance through a government exchange may qualify for a lower cost through December 31, 2022.

Student loan tax relief

For student loans forgiven or cancelled between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, discharged amounts are not included in taxable income.

Child tax credit

• For 2021, the credit amount increases from $2,000 to $3,000 per qualifying child ($3,600 for qualifying children under age 6), subject to phaseout based on modified adjusted gross income. The legislation also makes 17-year-olds eligible as qualifying children in 2021.
• For most individuals, the credit is fully refundable for 2021 if it exceeds tax liability.
• The Treasury Department is expected to send out periodic advance payments (to be worked out by the Treasury) for up to one-half of the credit during 2021.

Child and dependent care tax credit

• For 2021, the legislation increases the maximum credit up to $4,000 for one qualifying individual and up to $8,000 for two or more (based on an increased applicable percentage of 50% of costs paid and increased dollar limits).
• Most taxpayers will not have the applicable percentage reduced (can be reduced from 50% to 20% if AGI exceeds a substantially increased $125,000) in 2021. However, the applicable percentage can now also be reduced from 20% down to 0% if the taxpayer's AGI exceeds $400,000 in 2021.
• For most individuals, the credit is fully refundable for 2021 if it exceeds tax liability.

Earned income tax credit

For 2021 only:

• The legislation generally increases the credit available for individuals with no qualifying children (bringing it closer to the amounts for individuals with one, two, or three or more children which were already much higher).
• For individuals with no qualifying children, the minimum age at which the credit can be claimed is generally lowered from 25 to 19 (24 for certain full-time students) and the maximum age limit of 64 is eliminated (there are no similar age limits for individuals with qualifying children).
• To determine the credit amount, taxpayers can elect to use their 2019 earned income if it is more than their 2021 earned income.

For 2021 and later years:

• Taxpayers otherwise eligible for the credit except that their children do not have Social Security numbers (and were previously prohibited from claiming any credit) can now claim the credit for individuals with no qualifying children.
• The credit is now available to certain separated spouses who do not file a joint tax return.
• The level of investment income at which a taxpayer is disqualified from claiming the credit is  increased from $3,650 (as previously indexed for 2021) to $10,000 in 2021 (indexed for inflation in future years).

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.