How to file taxes for 2020

The IRS deadline to file your 2021 tax return is April 18, 2022. If your taxes aren’t too complex, you may be able to file your taxes for free through tax return software or directly with the government. More complicated taxes involving multiple deductions or credits may require a fee. No matter which option you choose to file, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to survive tax season without getting overwhelmed.

WATCH: How to File Taxes Online w/ Turbo Tax (BEGINNERS GUIDE)

Step 1: Choose your method of filing options.

Depending on your specific tax situation, you’ll generally have three options when it comes to filing your taxes: print off your tax form and fill it out yourself, use a tax preparation software, or hire a tax preparer. Here are some things to consider when comparing your options:

Step 2: Gather your paperwork.

The first step in filing your taxes is to gather any information that proves you had income and deductible expenses for the year. Some common tax documents you should round-up include:

Step 3: Choose an online provider to file with.

Most brand-name tax return softwares offer a free e-file version for simple taxes using Form 1040. If you own multiple assets, are claiming deductions or credits or are filing taxes for your business, you’ll want to make sure that the software you choose can handle your needs.

The US government offers a free option to file your federal tax return online through Free File. But you won’t receive guidance or instruction, so you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with your tax knowledge before choosing this tax filing option.

Step 4: Sign up and begin your returns.

H&R Block, TurboTax and similar tax services take the guesswork out of filing your taxes. They walk you through how to fill out the various form fields and calculate whether you should take a standard or itemized deduction, so you can make sure you’re receiving your maximum refund. Prompts also cover life events and how they’re incorporated into your return, such as buying a house or car.

Step 5: Double-check everything.

Most services scan your return to alert you of discrepancies or red flags that you might need to address before submitting your taxes. Review your tax return carefully and address any discrepancies the software flags to ensure everything is accurate. Once you’re ready, the tax software submits your forms to the IRS and forwards you tracking information on how to check in on your return.

Step 6: Choose your refund or payment method.

Three out of four people get a tax refund each year. If you’re one of them, select how you want to receive your refund. Direct deposit is typically the quickest route, but you may have other options depending on which software you choose.

If you owe money, you can pay your bill directly through the online tax software. Most accept direct payments from your bank, credit or debit cards, checks and money orders. The IRS also offers installment agreements if you can’t pay your tax bill by the deadline.

To get an idea of how big your tax bill may be, view your federal and state income tax brackets.

Step 7: File your taxes on time.

Submit your return and pay any taxes owed by May 17th to avoid any penalty fees. If you file for an extension, keep in mind that this gives you until October 15 to file your tax return only. Tax payments are still due on May 17th.

What services can help me file my taxes online?

Here are several tax-filing services you can use from the comfort of your home.

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Name	Product	Federal returns starting price	State returns starting price	Maximum return guaranteed?	Free options available?	Photo import of W2?	Live chat?
H&R Block		$29.99	$36.99	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	File simply and securely with tax software from H&R Block.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
FreeTaxUSA		$0	$14.99	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	File federal returns for free and pay $14.99 for state returns with this online tax preparation software.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Keeper Tax		$89	Included	Yes	No	No	Yes	Keeper Tax helps people with 1099 income automatically find tax write-offs among their purchases. At tax time, file federal and state directly for $89 or export to file elsewhere for $39.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Jackson Hewitt		$25	$24	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	File taxes online or in-person for a no-fee refund advance loan. But watch out for high filing fees	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Intuit TurboTax		$60	$50	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	File returns electronically and get taken step by step through the tax-filing process, so that you can receive the fastest refund possible for yourself, and/or your business.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Liberty Tax		$34.95	$29.95	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Choose from EZ, Basic, Deluxe, and Premium packages to support the simplest or the most complicated of returns; including business and investments.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TaxSlayer		$24.95	$39.95	Yes	Yes		Yes	TaxSlayer offers free federal and state filing for simple returns and $0 federal return to service members filing with a military EIN.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Free tax help options

Filing your taxes with a professional doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are five free tax help options worth looking into:

1. Basic tax preparation software plans. Many tax preparation software companies offer basic plans that let you file a return for free. But usually, this option only works if you have a simple tax situation with W-2 income, no dependents and no deductions.
2. E-file with Free File. If you make less than $72,000, you may be able to file your return for free using a tax preparation software. Visit the IRS website for a list of software companies that let you file for free.
3. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). This program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate-income taxpayers and members of the military. To see if you qualify, go to IRS’ free tax prep form. Enter your zip code to find a VITA office near you.
4. Tax Counseling for the Elderly. If you’re at least 50 years old and have a low-to-moderate-income, you can visit nearly 5,000 Tax-Aide locations nationwide for free, individualized tax preparation. Visit the AARP’s website to find a location near you.
5. MilTax. Military members and their families can e-file their taxes for free through MilTax.

Should I DIY or get professional help?

Ultimately, your best route depends on how you’re able to answer three key questions:

• How complicated is your tax return? If you have no dependents and deductions, you may be able to file your own return. But if you’ve had a major life event, such as having a baby or buying a house, a tax software may be a better option. If you own many investment assets, an accountant may be what you need.
• How confident are you with filing yourself? Tax regulations are always changing, and the IRS regularly audits returns for compliance. A reputable online tax service can make sure you aren’t claiming anything you’re not eligible for. And they may even step in if the IRS does come a-knocking.
• What’s your budget for fees? DIYing your taxes may be your cheapest option, but it’s also the most time-consuming and there’s more room for error. Tax preparation fees can vary from low flat rates to those based on a tiered scale, running up to $100 or more. But a tax preparer can make the fee worth it by saving you more on your tax return.

If you’re looking to file your own taxes but want the benefits of professional help, consider a tax preparation software. It gives you the best of both worlds and most platforms come with a Maximum Refund Guarantee.

Which type of return is best for me?

You should know based on your income and circumstances which category you fall into. But here’s a breakdown of the types of returns you may read about:

• Individual tax returns. A common return for people who are employed and earn an income, including those who are self-employed or contractors.
• Partnership tax returns. Returns for businesses in a partnership structure.
• Company tax returns. Returns for private companies that employ more than two people.
• Trust tax returns. Returns typically submitted by trustees to satisfy different tax regulations and rates.
• Corporate tax returns. Returns filed by listed companies on a stock exchange and audited by a third party.

If you’re filing on behalf of a business or company, consider seeking professional advice to avoid running into trouble with the IRS.

Forms you could file

There used to be three tax forms you could file as an individual: 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040. But now there are just two: Form 1040 and 1040-SR for seniors. Depending on your tax situation, you may need to use one of these popular tax forms when submitting your tax form:

• W-2. Your employer sends you a W-2 in January or February of each year. This tax form lists out your total earned income, federal and state tax withholdings, retirement contributions and more. Hang on to your W-2 because you’ll need information when filing your taxes.
• Form 1098. You should receive Form 1098 in the mail if you paid at least $600 in mortgage interest, made any tuition payments or paid interest on your student loans.
• Form 1099. There are many different types of 1099s. For example, you may receive 1099-MISC if you’re a contract worker, 1099-DIV if you received any dividends from your investments, 1099-INT if you earned at least $10 in interest from a bank or credit union or Form 1099-R if you took any retirement distributions.
• Schedule A. If you’re itemizing your taxes this year, you’ll use Schedule A to add up all your deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, mortgage interest, property taxes and more. Once you fill it out, you’ll submit it to the IRS along with Form 1040.
• Schedule B. If you received more than $1,500 in taxable interest or dividends this year, you’ll add it all up on Schedule B and send it in with Form 1040.
• Schedule C. Freelancers, contract workers and other gig workers are required to report their profits and losses on Schedule C. This is also the form you use to claim any business-related expenses you hope to deduct from your taxes.
• Schedule D. If you traded stocks, bonds, ETFs or any other securities, you’ll use Schedule D to report your capital gains and losses for the year. You should receive 1099s in the mail to help you calculate these numbers.

How much will I pay in taxes?

Your taxes generally depend on how much you earn and how much you paid in taxes throughout the year, either deducted from your paycheck or paid quarterly, if you’re an independent contractor.

If you want to keep more of your paycheck throughout the year and aim for a $0 tax return, you can adjust your tax witholddings by submitting a new W-4 or W-4P with your employer.

Federal income tax brackets for 2020-2021

Wondering how federal income tax brackets work? The US uses a progressive tax system, where the more you make, the more you pay. But how much you pay depends on your tax filing status.

See your federal income tax brackets for 2020-2021

What deductions can I claim?

Deductions and credits can chip away at how much the government gets to keep — and how much you’re able to keep in your own pocket. Let the $2,869 average individual tax refund for 2019 inspire you to suss out your qualified deductions.

Tax deductions guide: 2020 tax year

Deductions can be personal and business expenses that you subtract from your total taxable income, effectively reducing the overall amount of tax you owe the government. The US uses a tiered tax bracket system, so the more you earn, the more you pay — deductions can help take the edge off.

See a list of tax deductions for 2020

Online tax prep software

Ready to file your taxes? Compare tax preparation software and decide which option is right for you.

Compare tax preparation software

How much do I have to make to file taxes?

The minimum income for filing taxes depends on your age and filing status. Here’s a breakdown of who must file their 2020 tax returns in 2021:

Certain people, like self-employed individuals, may still be required to file even if they make less than the minimum income threshold. And depending on your circumstances, while you may not have to file a tax return, there may be reasons that you would want to file a return, such as to qualify for a tax credit or to get a refund on withheld income taxes.

When do I need to file my tax return?

The standard deadline for filing your tax return is April 15. However, the IRS pushed back the deadline by one month to May 17 to ease the burden of the coronavirus pandemic on Americans’ wallets.

If you need more time to prepare your return, you can request an extension by filling out Form 4868 by May 17th. This gives you until October 15th to file your return but not extra time to pay your taxes. If you can’t afford to pay your entire tax bill at once, you can sign up for a payment plan, which will give you more time. However, if you end up owing taxes and pay after May 17th, you might be subject to the following late-penalty fees:

• A late payment fee equal to 0.5% a month, up to a maximum 25% of the amount owed.
• A late filing fee equal to 5% of the taxes you owed each month, up to a maximum 25%.
• 5% interest on any unpaid taxes until your bill is paid in full.

What happens if I don’t file a tax return?

You’re subject to penalties that include fees and even jail time. Your employer sends a copy of your payment information to the IRS too. So if you fail to file or pay, the IRS can calculate what you owe and start collecting interest on it.

If you’re worried about your tax situation, contact a tax professional to learn options specific to your circumstances.

When should I expect my tax refund?

If you file taxes online, expect to receive your refund within 21 days. If you file by mail, it could take as long as six weeks.

You can track the status of your refund using the Where’s My Refund tool on the IRS website.

Should I get a tax refund?

Everyone wants a giant refund come tax time, but it’s not as glamorous as you think. A big tax refund means you paid too much money to the IRS—money you could’ve been using each month to pay bills and cover unexpected expenses. Likewise, a big tax bill means you didn’t pay nearly enough. Ideally, you should aim to break even each year. This is a goldilocks tax situation because it means you paid just the right amount to the IRS.

If you want to avoid paying too much or too little taxes, adjust your W-4. This form tells your employer how much federal and state tax to withhold from each paycheck. If you’re currently facing a large tax bill, increase your W-4 withholdings. If you’re getting a giant refund, decrease your W-4 withholdings.

You can adjust your W-4 at any time with your employer, but it’s better to do it as soon as possible. If you need help calculating how much you should withhold from each paycheck, use the IRS tax withholding estimator.

Your tax questions answered

• How do taxes work?

  If you’re a paid employee with a regular paycheck, your employer withholds taxes on your earnings and sends them to the federal and state governments. But oftentimes you end up overpaying or underpaying in taxes by the time you account for tax deductions, credits and other sources of income. Filing your tax return helps you figure out if you paid too much or too little.

• Who has to file a tax return?

  If you’re at least 18 years old and can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, then you can file a return each year. But whether you’re required to file taxes depends on your age, income type and filing status. Generally, you don’t have to file taxes if your gross income is less than your standard deduction, but this only applies if you have regular income. If you’re self-employed, you have to file a return no matter what.

  Even if you’re not required to file a return, you may want to do it anyway to take advantage of certain tax credits.

• Can I claim a tax deduction on child care?

  Yes, in many cases. You may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% for qualifying care for a child under the age of 13 or a dependent with a disability. Credits tend to top out at $3,000 for one child or up to $6,000 for two or more.

• How do I file an extension?

  File for a six-month extension using IRS Form 4868. Popular tax return software often offer extensions as part of their services.

• How long should I keep my tax records?

  It depends on your period of limitation. This is the amount of time you have to amend your tax return. For income taxes, you should keep your records for as little as three years and as long as forever.