The April 18 deadline to file your federal tax return is less than two weeks away. Don’t wait until the last minute.
1. Gather your records. Make sure you have all your tax records.
This includes receipts, canceled checks and other records that support
income, deductions or tax credits that you claim. If you purchased
health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.
2. Report all your income. You will need to report your income
from all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any
other income – even if you don’t receive a statement – when you file
your tax return.
3. Try IRS Free File. Free File
is available only on IRS.gov. If you made $62,000 or less, you can use
free name-brand tax software to file your federal tax return. If you
earned more, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version
of IRS paper forms. If you need more time to file, you can also use IRS
Free File to get an automatic six-month extension to file your taxes.
Remember, an extension to file your tax return is not an extension to
pay taxes you owe, which are due April 18.
4. Try IRS e-file. Electronic filing
is the best way to file a tax return. It’s accurate, safe and easy. If
you owe taxes, you have the option to e-file early and pay by April 18
to avoid penalties and interest.
5. Use Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
6. Visit IRS.gov. IRS.gov is a great place to get what you need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing"
icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions
and IRS forms and publications. Get them all at any time. The IRS Services Guide outlines the many ways to get help on IRS.gov.
7. Use IRS online tools. The IRS has many online tools on IRS.gov to help you file. For instance, the Interactive Tax Assistant tool
provides answers to many of your tax questions. The tool gives the same
answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone. If you
want to find a tax preparer with the qualifications and credentials that
you prefer, use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. IRS tools are free and easy to use. They are also available 24/7.
8. Weigh your filing options.
You have different options for filing your tax return. You can prepare
it yourself or go to a tax preparer. You may be eligible for free help
at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site.
9. Check out number 17. IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, is a complete tax resource that you can read on IRS.gov. It’s also available as an eBook. It can help you with many tax questions, such as whether you need to file a tax return, or how to choose your filing status.
10. Review your return. Mistakes
slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to check
all Social Security numbers. That’s one of the most common errors.
Remember that IRS e-file is the most accurate way to file.
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
Additional IRS Resources:
IRS YouTube Videos:
- Welcome to Free File – English
- Free Help Preparing your Tax Return – English | Spanish | ASL
- Get Tax Help in Spanish – English | Spanish | ASL
- Interactive Tax Assistant – English | ASL
- Choose a Tax Preparer Wisely – English | Spanish | ASL
- Interactive Tax Assistant – English
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