IRS will automatically send refunds for unemployment tax breaks Refunds will be sent directly to taxpayers, likely starting in May and continuing into the summer. (Source: CNN) By CNN staff | April 1, 2021 at 12:25 PM HST - Updated April 1 at 12:29 PM (CNN) – Americans who lost their jobs last year and have already filed their tax returns will have one less headache to deal with. The Internal Revenue Service will automatically recalculate their returns to account for a new tax break found in the latest stimulus package. The break is on the first $10,200 of unemployment compensation received in 2020. The IRS made the announcement Wednesday.