coronavirus pandemic could face an unpleasant surprise when they file their taxes next year.That's because unemployment benefits, including the extra money distributed through federal aid programs, count as taxable income.Unemployment benefits vary by state, but the $2.2 trillion CARES Act signed into law at the end of March sweetened the aid, giving beneficiaries an additional $600 per week through the end of July.
The average laid-off worker was receiving about $930 per week in benefits before the boosted aid expired, prompting President Trump in August to issue an executive order partially restoring the supplement at $300 a week.Congress also passed a $900 billion coronavirus relief package this week that would extend jobless aid by $300.