Filing your taxes can be, well taxing, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible before the deadline. While it is true that most money-saving options to defer income or accelerate deductions are limited after Dec. 31, there are still many steps you can take to make your tax-filing experience less expensive and easier.
Turbo Tax urges people to file their taxes before April 18, 2023, to avoid late fees. If you need more time to finish filing, make sure you fill out and file Form 4868 to extend your filing deadline until Oct. 16, 2023. On Form 4868 you will need to include a reasonable estimate of your tax liability for 2022 and make sure to pay any outstanding balance due with this request. If you file and pay late you could be charged with a late-filing penalty of 5 percent per month of the tax owed and a late-payment penalty of 0.5 percent a month of the tax due. The maximum late filing penalty is 25 percent and the late-payment penalty will not exceed 25 percent. When you file Form 4868, you pause the costly late-filing penalty until Oct. 16, 2023.
Around 85 million taxpayers pay professionals to complete and file their tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you decide to hire someone to prepare your taxes, make sure you are using a trusted individual. It’s best to ask friends and family whom they use and get a referral so you don’t end up with someone trying to scam you. Ensure that whomever you use has a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) showing they are certified to prepare federal income tax returns. Ask upfront about how much they plan to charge you and if there are any additional fees you can expect. Try to avoid companies that take a portion of your refund so you can ensure you are getting the most back. Take a look at the IRS website for additional tips and resources for choosing a tax preparer. There is also an IRS directory of preparers to help you search by credentials and locations for the best person to handle your taxes.
After completing your tax forms, you have a few options for how to receive funds if you are expecting a refund. You have the option to apply your funds to next year’s taxes if you plan to have a balance. You can also receive a paper check in the mail or receive your funds through a direct deposit directly to your checking or savings accounts. You can even contribute a portion or all of your refund to certain accounts like IRAs, health savings accounts, and education savings accounts. If you complete Form 8888, you can also split your refund among multiple direct deposit choices.
Five Tips to Keep You on Track for Tax Season:
- Organize Your Records for Tax Time: Print out a tax checklist to help you stay organized with the tax documents you need. Hang onto all of the paperwork that arrived in January like your W-2s, 1099s, and mortgage interest statements. Save time by grouping similar documents as they come in so you do not have to search for paperwork when it comes time to file.
- Find the Right Tax Forms: Go on the IRS website and search for documents as far back as 1980 by number or by date. The IRS also has a list of state forms and publications for all your tax filing needs.
- Itemize Your Tax Deductions: While it is easier to accept the standard deduction, you could be missing out on extra cash if you itemize your deductions. Especially if you are self-employed, own a home, or live in a high-tax location. Itemizing can be helpful if your standard deductions add up to $12,950 for most singles and $25,900 for most married couples filing jointly. Some qualifying deductions include mortgage interest and charitable donations, but you can also deduct the portion of medical expenses that exceeds 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income for 2022.
- Provide Dependent Taxpayer IDs on Your Tax Return: Make sure to include your Taxpayer Identification Numbers (or Social Security Numbers) for your children and other dependents on your return. The IRS may deny any dependent credits you might be owed if you miss this step. If you are divorced, only one of you can claim your child as a dependent. When you have a child, fill out your child’s Social Security card immediately so the number is available during tax season. If you forget to have the number available, the IRS advises you to file for an extension while you get these documents sorted out.
- File Electronically: Instead of printing and mailing a physical copy of your tax forms to the IRS, consider filing electronically. If you are expecting a tax refund, the IRS will process electronic forms faster than paper ones, even receiving your refund three to six weeks earlier. You can even sign up to receive your refund as a direct deposit which will go directly into your bank account. If you owe money, you can still benefit from filing electronically. Wait until the federal tax filing deadline and send in a check along with Form 1040-V. You can also pay the amount owed with a credit card or through direct debit, but be aware there may be fees associated with that method.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you don’t put it off until the last minute if you’d like to avoid asking for an extension.
