2020 was going to be a quiet year for tax laws, but boy did that ever change. Reno’s Melvin S. Ray the CPA has been doing tax returns since 1975. He says in 2021, the IRS has real issues. For his clients, he can't get an answer from them: "From what I’ve read, the IRS has a million items of correspondence that they haven't even opened up."

And that is why tax season is delayed. The IRS won't accept returns until February 12th. Sadly, that means refunds will be later too. The IRS says the first ones won't come until March 5th. If you have kids, it won’t appear until later March. But here are some ways to help you out:

If a local Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is doing your taxes, you can apply for a no-cost advance. In their Sparks office on Baring Blvd., tax professional Bruce MacKinnon told us, "The loan can from $500 to $4000. There are no fees of any kind. No interest charge, 0% interest. And the funds would normally be available within 24 hours."

If you worked less last year like so many others, you'll likely get more money back this year from a lower income. Melvin told me, "They'll get a better refund. But if they collected unemployment, they're going to have to pay tax on the unemployment they collected."

Another plus this year: you can choose whether your Earned Income Tax Credit is based on your 2019 or 2020 income. Bruce says, “That's a new provision of the Cares Act. It's called the Look Back Provision."

Also, the Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit were boosted, another way toward a bigger refund. Melvin says the Child Tax Credit got raised "around $2,000". And if you're really hurting, you can make a no-fee early withdraw from your IRA. He says, "They can take money out of their retirement plan and they don't have to pay a penalty. But they'll have to pay a tax on it."

Finally, you don't have to pay taxes on your stimulus check…it’s not considered income by the IRS. And if you didn't get yours last year, you can apply for it right on your return. Bruce says "There's a new line called Recovery Rebate Credit on the 1040 form where that would be claimed."

Good luck. Like any year…it's the good with the bad.