Filing Your 2021 Washington, DC Personal Return

Knowing the Washington, D.C. tax laws will go a long way in helping you have a smooth tax season. Understanding who must file a Washington tax return is essential because not filing one if you are required to do so can result in stiff penalties.

If you are a resident of Washington, D.C. and were required to file a federal return with the IRS, you must file an income tax return in Washington. A resident is an individual who was domiciled in Washington, D.C. anytime during a tax year.

An individual who has maintained an abode for a total of ​183 days​ or more must file a Washington tax return. This includes those individuals who have a permanent home outside the District of Columbia.

If you are a part-year resident, you must file a Washington, D.C. tax return. A part-year resident is an individual who has moved into or out of Washington with the intent to either abandon or establish their domicile in Washington, D.C.

Those who want to receive refundable credits must file a Washington income tax return.

A member of the U.S. armed forces with a home of record as the District of Columbia for part of or a full taxable year must file a Washington tax return.

To file an income tax return, use Form D-40. This is applicable to all filers.

You must use additional forms to receive refundable credits. Use Schedule H for the Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit and Schedule ELC for the Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit.

Washington, D.C. has a progressive individual tax rate structure:

• ​4 percent​ of taxable income ​not over $10,000​
• ​6 percent plus $400​ of excess taxable income ​over $10,000 but not over $40,000​
• ​6.5 percent plus $2,200​ of excess taxable income ​over $40,000 but not over $60,000​
• ​8.5 percent plus $3,500​ of excess taxable income ​over $60,000 but not over $250,000​
• ​9.25 percent plus $19,650​ of excess taxable income ​over $250,000 but not over $500,000​
• ​9.75 percent plus $42,775​ of excess taxable income ​over $500,000 but not over $1,000,000​
• ​10.75 percent plus $91,525​ of excess taxable income ​over $1,000,000​

Make sure you have your W-2 form or a 1099 form to determine which tax bracket applies to you.

Unemployment benefits are subject to Washington, D.C. income taxes.

The due date to file and pay taxes is ​April 18, 2022​.

A taxpayer may request an extension to file their income tax returns on ​October 17, 2022​. But all taxes must still be paid on April 18, or you risk penalties. You can request an extension on MyTax DC website.

Those members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in designated combat zones, may have an extension up to an additional six months. This not only applies to filing but also to paying taxes that are due.

If you are owed a refund, you have ​three years​ from the April 18, 2022 due date to file an individual income tax return.

The District of Columbia late filing penalty is a charge of ​5 percent​ of your total unpaid taxes per month or part of the month. The maximum penalty for a late filing is ​25 percent​ of your unpaid or late paid taxes. The minimum penalty is ​$5​.

As a Washington, D.C. taxpayer, you will be charged a ​5 percent​ underpayment penalty if your entire tax liability isn’t paid with the return. An additional penalty of ​25 percent​ is levied on any unreported taxable income that’s more than ​25 percent​ of the taxable income shown on your return.

The total taxes must be paid within ​90 days​, or the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue will add a collection fee to taxes over ​$200​ (including penalties and interest). This fee is ​10 percent​ of the underpaid taxes plus interest and penalties. The interest rate on unpaid taxes is 10 percent compounded daily.

If you are unable to pay your taxes, you can request an installment plan from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). When making installment payments, current taxes must be paid as well. If this isn’t done, then the OTR may collect taxes due by your seizing wages or bank accounts.

All OTR payment agreements are subject to re-evaluation.

If you expect a refund, send your Washington returns to: Office of Tax Revenue, P.O. Box 96145 Washington, D.C. 20090-6145. If you are including a payment, send your return to: Office of Tax Revenue, P.O. Box 96169 Washington, D.C. 20090-6169.

You can electronically file your Washington, D.C. individual tax return when you e-file your federal tax return. Some eligible taxpayers can also e-file on DC.gov website.

You can pay taxes through the mail. Use the D-40P payment voucher. Payment can be made with a check or money order.

You can also pay your taxes online with an electronic check (ACH Debit) by logging into the DC.gov website. Credit cards are also accepted. The Office of Tax Revenue honors Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. There is a ​2.5 percent​ convenience fee per transaction up to two transactions a month.

If you need assistance, call the e-Services Unit at ​202-759-1946​ or email e-services.otr@dc.gov .

Go to the OTR MyTax DC website to learn the status of your refund. It will let you know if your refund matches the amount you claimed and if the refund has been direct deposited into your bank account or mailed. Generally, a refund takes ​six weeks​ to process.

You will need to enter your Social Security number and your refund amount. The refund status is only provided for those returns that were filed in the last six months. You will need to contact the Customer Service Administration to inquire into earlier refunds.

For additional information on a refund call ​202-727-4TAX​ or ​202-727-4829​.

There isn't a corporate tax for self-employed individuals. Instead, the individual must file taxes through their personal tax return.

The business franchise tax for corporations in Washington, D.C. is ​8.25 percent​.

A corporation must report net income on a combined reporting basis. They must pay a minimum of ​$250​ if their Washington, D.C. gross receipts are ​$1 million​ or less. A ​$1,000​ minimum tax is required with over ​$1 million​ in gross receipts.

S-corporations pay an ​8.25 percent​ unincorporated business franchise tax. But owners receive a deduction to their personal Washington income taxes for those taxes paid by the business.

Rates and dates in this article are correct as of publication. But check for any changes at the DC.gov Office of Tax and Revenue website before you file.