Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Important message from MA DUA


Please be aware of current scams. Massachusetts residents have received text messages and emails that include a link requesting claimants enter their login and password on a site that looks similar to UI Online. If you have received such a message, please do not respond. 

Responses to requests from DUA should only be uploaded through your secure account at https://uionline.detma.org/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX or  https://ui-cares-act.mass.gov/PUA/_/. DUA will never ask you to reply to a text or email with your personal information.

DUA takes fraudulent claims seriously and we are working closely with state and federal law enforcement agencies to protect claimants’ information. We want to assure you that there is no evidence of a state data breach.

The following considerations are suggested to help you protect your online profiles and account information.

  • As part of our online security protocol we recommend that you check your UI profile information often (at least 1x per week) this includes your logon, password, name, contact information. Change your information back and report any discrepancies or changes not made by you immediately to DUA by calling (877) 626-6800

  • When checking your UI profile, pay close attention to your payment selection to be certain the payment type and / or account information is correct

  • Be alert to any unknown email sources containing links. Never click on a link unless you are expecting one or you know the sender and recognize the email address – this may be a phishing scheme to obtain access to your computer

  • Create security credentials that you will remember but are hard for others to guess. Do not give your security credentials to ANYONE – DUA will never contact you asking for that information

  • Report any changes or suspicious activity involving your UI claim immediately to DUA by calling (877) 626-6800

  • Monitor communications from DUA often in case you receive a message that a change has been made to your account or to make you aware of an ongoing scheme that has affected claims or warnings from other UI agencies

  • DUA WILL NOT ask you to verify your eligibility for unemployment benefits, or for personal information by email, phone or text message. If you receive an email, phone or text message and you are unsure if it came from DUA, contact us by calling (877) 626-6800

  • If you believe someone is using your identity to falsely claim unemployment benefits, please complete our secured form at www.mass.gov/unemployment-fraud to alert us.

Here's some common unemployment scam techniques to watch out for.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Rhode Island Division of Taxation Issues Guidance on Tax Treatment of Unemployment Benefits




The Rhode Island Division of Taxation today posted an Advisory that provides guidance about the tax treatment of unemployment compensation.

The Division is in the process of revising certain forms and instructions relating to the guidance and will post the revised documents as soon as possible. The Division will let its stakeholders know immediately after the revised documents are posted.

To view the Advisory, click here.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Division announces Rhode Island will follow IRS deadline change



PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Division of Taxation announced today that it has postponed – until May 17, 2021 – the deadline for individuals to file their Rhode Island personal income tax returns and make related payments for the 2020 tax year to follow the deadline change announced by the IRS on March 17, 2021. 


The deadline for filing Rhode Island resident and nonresident personal income tax returns for the 2020 tax year, and for making related payments, normally would be April 15, 2021. 


The United States Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service recently announced that the April 15, 2021 due date for federal filings and payments by individuals relating to the 2020 tax year has been moved to May 17, 2021. 1 


The Division announced today that the April 15, 2021, due date for certain Rhode Island filings and payments by individuals relating to the 2020 tax year also has been moved to May 17, 2021 to follow the IRS announcement. 


“We recognize the many challenges that Rhode Islanders have faced, and continue to face, amid the global pandemic,” said Rhode Island Tax Administrator Neena Savage. “By aligning our deadline with the federal deadline, we hope to provide a convenience for taxpayers, tax preparers, and others as a measure of relief during these trying times,” she said.


The relief is automatic; taxpayers do not need to file any special forms or contact the Division in any way in order to qualify. Please remember, the IRS deadline change only impacts individual resident and nonresident personal income tax returns and not estimated payments still due April 15, 2021. 


The Division is awaiting formal IRS guidance regarding the due date change and will provide additional details regarding state tax filings and payments impacted by the change within the coming days.

Massachusetts Follows IRS to Extend Due Date of Individual Tax Filings to May 17th

 


Individual Income Tax Returns and Payments
Now Due May 17, 2021

The deadline has been extended for both filing individual income tax returns and making payments from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. 

What you need to know:

  • The income tax filing and payment deadline has been moved to May 17, 2021 for individuals only. The date change does not affect taxpayers other than individuals filing personal income tax returns and making payments.
  • The extension date of October 15 for personal income tax filing is unchanged.
  • Estimated payments due April 15 are not impacted by the date change and remain due on April 15.
  • Taxpayers who have already filed their personal income tax returns, but have not made the associated payment, will have until May 17 to make the payment.