Tax season is becoming a nightmare for many unemployed Floridians as the Department of Economic Opportunity has started releasing tax forms to people who collected unemployment payments in 2020.
Nathalie Pollner said she is encountered nearly every glitch in the unemployment system this year, but was speechless when she found her 1099-G tax form from the department.
Pollner said her document stated she received $43,500 in Reemployment Assistance in 2020, which is tens of thousands of dollars more than she received.
“I literally just broke down,” Pollner said.
The fear of the consequences of this glitch set in.
“What am I going to owe? How am I going to fight this? Who do I call?" Pollner asked. "It’s the IRS. They can take stuff.”
Unemployment expert Vanessa Brito said Pollner is far from the only one encountering this issue.
“A full blown salary? $45,000? That’s unheard of,” Brito said. “I was doing the math to find if there’s any possible way, and there isn’t.”
Many others on social media complained their 1099-G shows them receiving tens of thousands of dollars as well.
Many of them are struggling to receive benefits as it is.
“It’s a testament as to what everyone has been going through from the beginning,” Brito said. “To see that, it’s just another reminder of how poorly the system is run.”
Experts suggest staying calm as the department has until January 31 to release the 1099-Gs and your document may change before that point.
Pollner said her document has changed multiple times.
DEO said if you do not agree with your 1099g form, report it to 1099grequest.myflorida.com.