Next week, the Kansas Department of Labor will open a specialized call center to handle tax-related questions connected to the annual IRS Form 1099-G to people receiving unemployment benefits last year.
The Department of Labor mails those forms to residents every January. Data includes total unemployment compensation and, if chosen, the amount of federal or state income taxes withheld. Because of the projected record number of tax forms going out due to the coronavirus pandemic, the department is alerting claimants of several possible issues that could be challenging from some 1099-G recipients:
*Because the Labor Department cannot withhold taxes from benefits without permission, claimants who did not withhold taxes last year may have a higher tax notice than expected.
*Also, given the sheer number of unemployment claims and the ongoing issues with fraud, it’s possible some identity theft victims may receive a 1099-G form when they shouldn’t get one. The department says claimants who can establish they are identity theft victims will not be liable for tax payments on income they did not receive.
Residents with questions about the Form 1099-G can call a designated phone number, 785-575-1461, that will be staffed from 8 am to 4 pm Mondays through Fridays and 8 am to 2 pm Saturdays. Residents can also get more information online at www.GetKansasBenefits.gov and they can use the Amelia chatbot on the website if they so choose.
