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You have until April 15 to file your taxes or file for a tax extension. 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.
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:
DIY | Tax prep software | Tax preparer | |
---|---|---|---|
Most cost-effective | |||
Best for accuracy | |||
Best for simple returns | |||
Best for complicated returns | |||
Best for guaranteed highest refund |
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Submit your return and pay any taxes owed by April 15 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 April 15.
Here are several tax-filing services you can use from the comfort of your home.
Filing your taxes with a professional doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are five free tax help options worth looking into:
Ultimately, your best route depends on how you’re able to answer three key questions:
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.
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:
If you’re filing on behalf of a business or company, consider seeking professional advice to avoid running into trouble with the IRS.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ready to file your taxes? Compare tax preparation software and decide which option is right for you.
The standard deadline for filing your tax return is April 15.
If you need more time to prepare your return, you can request an extension by filling out Form 4868 by April 15. This gives you until October 15 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 April 15, you might be subject to the following late-penalty fees:
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.
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.
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Hi there, I have one child and I made 14,300 for the year however I did not receive any w2 s because the work was under household employee and each of the jobs were under 2000? What can I get back in refund?
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The average tax refund in the United States was $2,843 for individuals in 2014, but there is no guarantee you’ll receive this amount. Your refund depends both on your income bracket and also your withholding amount throughout the year.
Follow these steps to file your taxes:
Step 1: Choose an online provider to file with
Step 2. Sign up and begin your returns
Step 3. Double check everything before you submit
You can further check here at section “How do I submit my tax return online?”
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold