2019 Tax Returns: Changes VA, DC Filers Should Know About

WASHINGTON, DC — Congress passed major tax legislation in December 2017, and while the majority of these changes were effective for the 2018 tax year, a few changes will be new in 2020 for your 2019 tax filings.

Starting Jan. 1, 2020, a number of new state and local tax laws went into effect in Virginia.
Some of the changes include:

• Reduced Sales and Use Tax on Essential Personal Hygiene Products: Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the sales tax rate in Virginia on essential personal hygiene products will be reduced to 2.5 percent. This includes products such as:
  • Disposable diapers (regardless of age of user);
  • Disposable incontinence pads;
  • Disposable bed sheets; and
  • Feminine hygiene products like sanitary napkins and towels and tampons.

• Products that don’t qualify for the reduced tax rate include but aren’t limited to reusable cloth diapers, incontinence pads and undergarments, and reusable bed sheets. For more information, see Tax Bulletin 19-8.

• Changes to Standard Deduction of Virginia Individual Income Taxes: For taxable year 2019, the standard deduction will increase to $4,500 for taxpayers filing single, or married filing separately; and $9,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly.

For a complete list of 2019 state and local tax legislation, view the 2019 Legislative Summary.

Virginia taxpayers can use the state's Where’s my Refund tool or call 804.367.2486 to reach he automated refund system.

You can start checking your refund status 72 hours after you file electronically or four weeks after you mail your return. Both options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have the same information as our customer service representatives, without the wait of the phone queue.

General refund processing times during filing season in Virginia:

• Electronically filed returns: Up to 4 weeks
• Paper filed returns: Up to 8 weeks
• Returns sent by certified mail: Allow an additional 3 weeks

In the District of Columbia, MyTax.DC.gov is now live with 24/7 access. Visit the District’s new online tax portal to view and pay your taxes. For many tax types, you can even file.

• Social security number
• Tax year
• Your exact refund amount

Here are a few of the most important changes for your tax year 2019 filings in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Standard Deduction

Standard deduction is a dollar amount that reduces the amount of income on which you are taxed and varies according to your filing status. The standard deduction for each filing status for the 2019 tax year has changed slightly from 2018, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

• Single: $12,200 — Up from $12,000 for 2018.
• Married filing jointly or qualifying widow: $24,400 — Up from $24,000 for 2018.
• Married filing separately: $12,200 — Up from $12,000 for 2018.
• Head of household: $18,350 — Up from $18,000 for 2018.

Health Care

Tax year 2019 will be the first time that form 1040 will not have the “full-year healthcare coverage” or exempt box; and Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, will no longer be used.

Reminder On New Tax Brackets

The bill passed by the President Donald Trump administration in 2017 kept the seven tax brackets but lowered the number of the tax rates. Additionally, it also changed the income thresholds at which the rates apply.

These new rates went into effect for the 2018 tax year, but here’s a reminder for the 2019 tax year:

Tax Bracket And Thresholds For Single Filers In 2019 Tax Year

Tax Rate — Taxable Income Bracket

10 percent — $0 to $9,525
12 percent — $9,526 to $38,700
22 percent — $38,701 to $82,500
24 percent — $82,501 to $157,500
32 percent — $157,501 to $200,000
35 percent — $416,701 to $418,400
37 percent — More than $500,000

Tax Brackets And Thresholds For Married Couples Filing Jointly in 2019 Tax Year

Tax Rate — Taxable Income Bracket

10 percent — $0 to $19,050
12 percent — $19,051 to $77,400
22 percent — $77,401 to $165,000
24 percent — $165,001 to $315,000
32 percent — $315,001 to $400,000
35 percent — $400,001 to $600,000
37 percent — More than $600,001

The Internal Revenue Service said taxpayers can get fast answers to their refund questions by using the "Where's My Refund?" tool available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app.

The IRS issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days, and the fastest way to get a refund is to file electronically and choose direct deposit. The time around Presidents Day is a peak period for telephone calls to the IRS, resulting in longer than normal hold times for callers.

Avoid the Presidents Day rush and get a personalized answer by using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. All that is needed is the taxpayer's Social Security number, tax filing status (single, married, head of household) and exact amount of the tax refund claimed on the return. Alternatively, taxpayers may call 800-829-1954 for the automated phone line.

It’s a date most people don’t need to be reminded of, but April 15 is the last day you can file your return for the 2019 tax year — that is, of course, unless you’ve applied for an extension.

Here are the three major components of your tax filings that are due on April 15:

1. Individual tax returns are due for tax year 2019.
2. Individual tax return extension forms are due for tax year 2019.
3. If you haven’t already funded your retirement account for 2019, you need to do so by April 15, 2020.