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Hiring a tax preparer can give you some peace of mind that your taxes are being filed correctly. But even a pro can sometimes make a mistake. Depending on the error, you could end up getting a refund you’re not entitled to or paying more in taxes than you actually owe.

The good news is, there are ways to get your tax return back on track if an error was made. Keep reading to learn what steps you can take when you realize your tax preparer made a mistake.

Who Are Tax Preparers?

There are different types of tax return preparers, but typically, they’re enrolled agents, attorneys, or certified public accountants (CPAs). There is no professional credential that qualifies someone to be a tax preparer. However, they do need to have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) in order to help clients file their tax returns.

Because a tax preparer is dealing with your sensitive financial information, it’s important to do your due diligence before hiring one. Research potential tax preparers’ backgrounds and references, and if possible, ask for referrals from trusted friends and family members. It’s also a good idea to look for a tax preparer who specializes in the types of taxes you need help with, such as self-employment taxes.

Pros and Cons of Working With a Tax Preparer

Thinking about enlisting the help of a professional as you prepare for tax season? You may want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of working with a tax preparer.

Pros

•   Ample experience (if you hire the right professional)

•   Expert insight into potential tax credits and deductions

•   Peace of mind that your taxes are filed properly

Cons

•   May be more expensive than doing your own taxes

•   Mistakes can still happen

•   Less privacy

Another way to make getting ready for tax season easier is to gain a holistic picture of your financial life. A money tracker app like SoFi’s can allow you to track spending, set financial goals, and view all bank account balances in one place. You can also monitor credit scores.

Recommended: How Much Do I Have to Make to File Taxes?

Are Tax Preparers Worth It?

Whether or not a tax preparer is worth the money depends on a few different factors. These may include:

•   How much time it saves you. If you have complicated taxes or are concerned you might miss the tax filing deadline, you may find that an hour or so with a professional tax preparer is more efficient and therefore worth the cost.

•   The complexity of your taxes. People who only have one source of W-2 income, take the standard deduction, and have no investments may be able to easily file their taxes without the help of a tax preparer. However, a small business owner dealing with payroll or a freelancer with dozens of sources of income may find that hiring a tax preparer could save them a lot of headaches.

•   The tax preparer’s experience. An experienced, qualified tax preparer can ensure your returns are prepared correctly and perhaps even help you identify tax credits or deductions.

•   Cost. Some tax preparers charge the same or slightly more than the cost of purchasing tax preparation software, while others are on the more expensive side. Depending on your needs, hiring one may or may not be worth budgeting for.

Fixing Errors on Filed Returns

If you realize your tax preparer made an error on your filed tax return, all is not lost. You can amend it using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Common errors include having the wrong information regarding income, credit, tax liability, filing status, or deductions.

It’s also possible to amend a return in order to claim an unused tax credit. Generally, mistakes on an income tax return need to be amended within three years (this includes extensions).

Am I Responsible If My Tax Preparer Makes a Mistake?

While it may seem like the professional tax preparer would be on the hook for any mistakes made on income taxes they help file, it’s the taxpayer who’s held responsible. However, the tax preparer can help make any necessary corrections.

What Happens If a Tax Preparer Messed Up Your Return

If you realize your tax preparer made a mistake (or multiple mistakes) on your income tax return, you need to file an amended return with the IRS. Ideally, the tax preparer would help with this process, but they aren’t required to do so.

What to Do If a Tax Preparer Messed Up

Mistakes happen. Here are the steps you can take to get things back in order in the event your tax preparer makes an error on your income tax return.

Make Sure It’s the Preparer’s Fault

Before you start pointing fingers at the tax preparer, make sure they’re the one who made the mistake. Tax preparers require a lot of detailed information so they can file an income tax return on your behalf, and it’s easy to give them the wrong information by mistake. Do some digging to see who’s really at fault and what to do if you’re missing tax documents.

Check Your Contract

Once you’re certain the tax preparer made a mistake, take a look at the contract you signed with them. It should outline whether the preparer will file an amendment for you at no extra charge and what their liabilities are.

Contact the Preparer

The next step would be to contact the tax preparer to alert them of the mistake and to provide them with any related correspondence from the IRS.

Notify the IRS and Professional Organizations

If the mistake is substantial — and not your fault — you’ll need to convince the IRS of the tax preparer’s negligence. You may also want to outline any damages you’ve suffered as a result of the error. The IRS is then responsible for investigating who is responsible. If the tax preparer is at fault, this can result in their tax identification number being rescinded.

It’s also possible to report the tax preparer to a professional organization they belong to, like the American Bar Association or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Tell It to the Judge

Ideally, the tax preparer will help you remedy the mistake, and everyone can go on their merry way. However, if the error caused a lot of issues for you, you may choose to sue for negligence. Taking the issue to a judge is a last resort, but it’s an option if you want to file a standard professional malpractice complaint with your state court.

Recommended: Free Credit Score Monitoring

The Takeaway

Even the most qualified tax preparers can sometimes make a mistake. If a tax pro made an error on your tax return, all is not lost. The IRS allows you to fix errors on an income tax return, and in most cases, your tax preparer should be willing to help out. If you suspect the preparer was negligent when filing your return, you can report them to the IRS. As a last resort, you can even sue them (though hopefully it would never come to that).

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Is a tax preparer liable for mistakes?

At the end of the day, even if the tax preparer is the one to make the mistake, the taxpayer is the one held liable by the IRS. That said, some contracts with taxpayers do include taking responsibility for errors.

How much money will the IRS fine a tax preparer who has made a mistake filing a client’s taxes caused by lack of due diligence?

Simple mistakes are one thing, but if a professional tax preparer doesn’t follow tax rules, regulations, or laws, they can be penalized financially by the IRS. The amount of that fine depends on different factors, like how many violations occurred.

Can you report a tax preparer to the IRS?

Yes, it is possible to report a tax preparer to the IRS. It’s important to submit a detailed report to the IRS and to outline any damages suffered.

About the author

Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-080

Filling out a tax return can be a challenging task. What’s more, unless you’re a tax expert, you may be unaware of how you can use tax laws to reduce how much you pay to the Internal Revenue Service. That’s why, come tax season, many people enlist the help of a tax preparer.

What does a tax preparer do? Services run the gamut from ensuring documents are mistake-free to spotting and claiming potential tax benefits to filing income tax returns on behalf of their client.

Here’s a look at the different types of income tax preparers, the pros and cons of hiring one, and under what circumstances they can help their clients pay less to the IRS.

What Is an Income Tax Preparer?

A tax preparer completes and files income tax documents and forms for clients. People use tax preparers because they are experts in tax rules and know how to use those rules to claim deductions or credits on tax returns.

That’s why, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), more than 86 million individual tax returns e-filed in 2025 were prepared by paid preparers.

Recommended: What Are the Different Types of Taxes?

Credentialed Tax Preparers

Credentialed tax preparers tend to work full time on tax- and accounting-related tasks. There are three types of credentialed tax preparers: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Enrolled Agents (EAs), and tax attorneys. CPAs receive certification from state boards, EAs receive certification from the IRS, and state bar associations license tax attorneys.

CPAs

CPAs are certified by a state government as having the required expertise to maintain financial records, certify financial statements, and conduct tax and financial audits.

CPAs must pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, a comprehensive test given by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Most states require CPAs to pass an ethics exam and stay up to date on changing accounting and tax laws.

CPAs can also represent clients on tax and IRS issues, such as tax audits, payment and collection issues, and appeals.

Enrolled Agents (EA)

An EA obtains licensing from the IRS to represent clients before the IRS. To become an EA, an individual must pass the IRS’ Special Enrollment Examination or have qualifying work experience if they were an employee of the IRS. Once certified by the IRS, EAs are required to stay up to date on changes in the tax law by completing at least 16 hours of continuing education each year, or 72 hours of continuing education every three years.

Tax Attorneys

Tax attorneys specialize in tax law, advise clients on the legal aspects of their taxes, and prepare their clients’ tax returns. They can represent their clients before the IRS on all tax matters. Tax attorneys have a law degree, have passed a state exam, acquired a state license, and keep up with updates to the tax code through ongoing education.

Non-Credentialed Tax Preparers

Non-credentialed tax professionals are not licensed or certified by a third-party organization and tend to be self-taught. These individuals may have worked for a tax store during tax season but may not be involved in tax-related work full time.

Non-credentialed tax preparers include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteers, tax accountants not certified by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and Annual Filing Season Program participants.

What Does a Tax Preparer Do?

In addition to preparing, completing, and filing tax documents for their clients, income tax preparers also advise their clients on how they can reduce their tax liability in the coming year.

Preparing tax documents and returns requires calculating tax brackets, credits, deductibles, and liabilities. However, income tax preparers are also responsible for making sure tax reports comply with government tax rules and regulations. For example, there are strict due diligence requirements when certain tax benefits are claimed, such as earned income tax credit, or when an individual claims head-of-household status.

Following due diligence requires interviewing clients to verify the information they are providing, such as earnings, tax withholdings, and dependents, to gather supplemental documentation that back up the claims.

Recommended: What Tax Bracket Am I In?

How Much Does It Cost to File Taxes with a Tax Preparer?

How much you pay a tax preparer depends on who you use and what services they provide. For example, credentialed tax attorneys and CPAs will likely charge more than a seasonal worker or non-credentialed preparer. A credentialed preparer will also have more expertise and can take on more complex tasks, such as representing the client in tax resolution cases.

A tax preparer might charge a flat fee for a tax return or an hourly rate. Also, the more complex your taxes, the more a preparer may charge.

Where you live can affect the amount charged by a tax preparer. Fees tend to be higher on the West coast and in New England, and lower in the Southeast.

Wondering how to cover the cost of a tax preparer? A spending app can help you create budgets, organize your spending, manage bills, and more.

Pros and Cons of Hiring an Income Tax Preparer?

There are several advantages to hiring an income tax preparer, though there are some potential disadvantages, too.

Pros

•   Using a tax preparer could save you time.

•   Using a tax preparer minimizes errors on your return, which can help protect you from an audit.

•   You may save money if the tax preparer finds ways to reduce the amount of tax you pay.

•   The cost of using a tax preparer is often deductible.

Cons

•   The cost of working with a tax preparer may be high if your taxes are complex.

•   It might be difficult to find an available licensed tax preparer during tax time.

•   A non-credentialed tax preparer may not be able to take the time to fully understand your situation.

•   Some tax preparers could be frauds, so always check their credentials.

What Are the Job Requirements to Become an Income Tax Preparer?

A credentialed income tax preparer typically has a degree in finance or accounting. They also must have a thorough knowledge of the tax system and be up to date on the latest rules and changes. Tax preparers must also be familiar with tax software, Excel, and other tools and information resources.

What Skills Do Tax Preparers Need?

Tax preparers need to be skilled with numbers and in dealing with clients. They are required to interview clients and ask them sometimes intrusive questions to verify that the information they are providing about income and lifestyle is true.

Tax preparers must also have in-depth knowledge of the tax code and the tax benefits that apply to various situations and be able to apply those rules using their analytical and mathematical skills.

When Is Hiring an Income Tax Preparer Worth It?

As you’re preparing for tax season, you may want to consider hiring an income tax preparer if your situation is complex or there are tax benefits that you could qualify for. This might be the case if you are a business owner or self-employed; have diverse investments or rental properties; bought property during the tax year; or had a major life event, such as marriage, a birth or adoption, divorce, retirement, or inheritance.

If you have had issues with the IRS in the past or are under audit, you should also use a tax preparer. This is because a professional knows how to navigate the IRS’s rules to your advantage and help you understand the options open to you.

Whether you owe taxes or are getting a refund, using a money tracker app can help you manage your money.

The Takeaway

Not everyone can afford to hire a tax attorney or a CPA to help them with their tax returns. However, if you are a business owner, an independent contractor, or have experienced life events that make your tax situation complicated, hiring a credentialed tax preparer could help save you money in the long run.

Not all income tax preparers are the same, so if you choose to hire a tax preparer, make sure you choose a reputable one by checking with the Better Business Bureau for complaints and verifying their credentials. The IRS’ Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers can be a good place to start.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What are the responsibilities of a tax preparer?

Tax preparers are responsible for completing and filing tax forms for their clients. They are also responsible for ensuring the forms are accurate and the information provided by their clients is truthful. This often requires interviewing clients and collecting supporting documentation. Tax preparers also provide tax strategy advice to clients to help them to pay less tax in the future.

Can you make good money as a tax preparer?

Tax preparers’ salaries vary depending on whether they are credentialed and where they live. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tax preparers in general earn around $58,860 a year, and accounts make around $93,520 a year. Tax attorneys stand to make more: According to Glassdoor, their average annual salary is around $196,000.

What is the difference between a CPA and a tax preparer?

A CPA is typically better qualified than a tax preparer. A CPA not only has accounting credentials, but they are also certified as a tax specialist by their state board. A tax preparer who is not a CPA, EA, or tax attorney is uncredentialed and may only have worked part time on taxes during the tax season.

Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-079

The IRS divides income into taxable and nontaxable categories. In general, income is taxable unless there’s a law exempting it.

As you’d expect, all taxable income must be included on your yearly income tax return. But here’s the twist: Nontaxable income may also need to be listed on your return.

Because anything tax-related is complicated, we’ll show you some examples of taxable and nontaxable income.

What Is Nontaxable Income?

You might think that nontaxable income is money that you can plausibly leave off your tax return. However, that’s not the case. Nontaxable income won’t be taxed even if you include it on your tax return. On the flip side, leaving income off your tax return won’t shield you from taxes. It just means you’ll be liable for those taxes, plus late fees and penalties, when the IRS figures it out — and they usually do. For questions about your specific income tax liabilities, consult an accountant or tax advisor.

Nontaxable Income Examples

The IRS provides a chart on nontaxable income limits — or how much you need to earn before you’re required to file an income tax return. For example, a single person age 65 or over can earn up to $15,750 in 2025 and up to $16,100 in 2026 without needing to file a federal tax return. A head of household under age 65, meanwhile, can earn up to $23,625 in 2025 and up to $24,150 in 2026, without needing to file.

There are many other types of income besides what appears on a W-2 or 1099. Here are examples of income that’s nontaxable, even if you might think otherwise.

•   Inheritances and bequests. Money and other assets you inherit are typically exempt from federal income tax. That’s because any taxes are levied before the estate is settled, and the threshold for estate taxes is high: $13.99 million in 2025, and $15 million in 2026.

•   Cash gifts. In both 2025 and 2026, gifts up to $19,000 are excluded from taxes, Above that, the gift giver typically pays the tax.

•   Rebates. This refers to cash you receive back from a retailer, manufacturer, or dealer.

•   Life insurance payouts. If cashed in after someone dies.

•   Scholarships. If used to pay school tuition and fees. However, when the funds are used to pay for room and board or personal expenses, they may be taxable.

•   Alimony for divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, and child support payments.

•   Welfare payments

If you need help taking control of your finances, a free budget app can help you track spending, spot upcoming bills, and analyze your spending habits.

How Taxable Income Works

All taxable forms of income must be listed on your IRS return and will count toward whatever tax bracket you’re in.

Taxable income can include funds that aren’t yet in your bank account, such as when a check arrives but you don’t cash it during the tax year. The IRS offers examples of this to provide clarity. For instance, if your mail carrier tries to deliver a check to you on the final day of the tax year but you “are not at home to receive it,” that counts as income for the current year. If the check was mailed but couldn’t reach you during the tax year, that money goes toward next year.

Types of Taxable Income

Taxable income comes in three forms: money, property, and services. Money includes wages, salaries, self-employment income, and commissions; royalties, strike pay; rental income; and alimony if the divorce was finalized before January 1, 2019. Stock market gains are another example of taxable income.

Fringe benefits are typically taxable. This category could include a company vehicle, holiday gifts from your employer in cash or gift certificate form, an off-site gym membership, or childcare services.

Nontaxable vs Taxable Income

Putting money away for retirement often involves depositing funds into a tax-sheltered account to benefit from the IRA or 401(k) tax deduction. With these accounts, there’s a tax impact when you make your contributions or withdraw your money but not at other times. These retirement accounts come with annual contribution limits, though, so you may decide to invest in taxable accounts when those limits are reached.

When opening a taxable brokerage account, the goal is tax-efficient investing instead of the tax-deferred investing that happens with an IRA or 401(k). This can include investing into long-term stocks or municipal and treasury bonds.

Recommended: What Is a Taxable Account?

Examples of Income That Is Both Taxable and Nontaxable

If your employer pays for your tuition, it can be nontaxable. But if it goes over a certain amount, it can become taxable. The same is true with employer-paid group life insurance. You may also want to take a close look at the category of “unearned income.”

Unearned income is passively earned income that you make without working. This can include retirement distributions, Social Security benefits, interest from bank accounts, stock dividends, and so forth. It also includes debt cancellation or forgiveness, which can be taxable or nontaxable, depending whether it was canceled or forgiven for less than the amount due.

How to Reduce Your Tax Liability

Reducing taxable income makes good sense. Some strategies to consider include:

•   Choosing the right filing status

•   Maxing out your retirement contributions

•   Deducting qualified health care expenses

•   Opening a 529 savings plan if your children may attend private school or college

Another strategy is to reduce or avoid capital gains tax. You can do that a few ways:

•   Donating appreciated shares of stock. This applies when you have held the stock for more than a year.

•   Selling stocks at a loss to offset capital gains, which can reduce your taxable income.

•   Investing in property via a Qualified Opportunity Fund. You can temporarily defer paying taxes on your gains.

Each of these strategies can be complex, and professional help is recommended.

The Takeaway

The IRS divides income into taxable and nontaxable categories. With the second, the income may or may not need to be listed on your federal tax return, even though taxes aren’t owed. Some common forms of nontaxable income include inheritances, cash gifts of $19,000 or less, scholarships that cover school tuition and fees, alimony, child support, and welfare payments.

Taxable income can be “earned” on the job, as with wages, salaries, and commissions. Unearned income is the term for passive revenue, such as stock gains in taxable accounts, interest on savings, and benefits you receive from your employer. To prepare for tax time, it can help to have a quality money tracker app that gives you high visibility into what you’ve spent.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is an example of nontaxable income?

Nontaxable income examples include child support payments and, as of 2019, alimony. Other examples include inheritances (which may be taxed in other ways) and cash gifts from friends or family. Contributions to an IRA may be partially or fully tax deductible, depending on your income and filing status. The funds would be taxed only when you make a withdrawal.

What are some examples of income that is taxable?

Money earned through a salary, wages, and self-employment income are some of the most common types of taxable income. Other types include royalties, commissions, rental income, and strike pay.

What are four items that are taxable income?

Wages, salaries, self-employment income, and commissions are four commonly applicable forms of taxable income.

Photo credit: iStock/andresr

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-071
CN-Q425-3236452-143

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of income tax you’ll need to pay, there are numerous strategies to consider. Familiar moves include contributing to tax-deferred retirement and health-spending accounts, deducting certain taxes and interest, and making charitable donations. More complex maneuvers include timing investments to offset gains with losses.

Because each person’s situation is unique, be sure to check with your tax accountant to find out how a potential strategy might work for you. Note that some of the strategies included in this guide have income limits.

Keep reading to see how many of these 25 tactics you can implement.

25 Ways to Lower Your Taxable Income

As you look through this list of 25 ideas on how to pay less in taxes, you’ll note that some are broad, advising how to reduce either W-2 taxable income or self-employment income. Meanwhile, others are more targeted — for instance, applying only to the self-employed. Keep track of ideas that pertain to your situation so you can explore them further.

1. Contribute to a Retirement Account

Many IRA contributions are tax deductible. If you’re covered by a plan at work, you can contribute up to $23,500 to a 401(k) plan in 2025 ($24,500 in 2026), and an additional $7,500 if you’re over 50 ($8,000 in 2026). You can also contribute $7,000 to an IRA ($7,500 in 2026), or $8,000 total if you’re over 50 ($8,600 in 2026). However, your deduction may be limited depending on income and other factors.

Self-employed individuals can contribute between 25% and 100% of net earnings from self-employment, up to $70,000 for 2025 (up to $72,000 for 2026). Plans available to the self-employed include the Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan, solo 401(k), and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA).

2. Open a Health Savings Account

A health savings account (HSA) allows you to deposit money on a pre-tax basis. Contribution limits depend on your health plan, age, and other factors, but most individuals can contribute $4,300 for 2025 and $4,400 for 2026.

Funds can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses or rolled over year to year. You must have a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to contribute to an HSA.

3. Check for Flexible Spending Accounts at Work

In lieu of an HSA, you can contribute up to $3,300 in pre-tax dollars to a flexible spending account (FSA). In 2026, the contribution threshold rises to $3,400. FSAs allow people with a health plan at work to deposit money and then use it to pay for qualifying health care costs. Unlike HSAs, FSAs don’t require an HDHP to qualify. The downside: Only a small portion of funds may be rolled over to the following year.

4. Business Tax Deductions

The IRS guidelines around business deductions change frequently, so it’s wise to watch out for their announcements throughout the year. Some business expenses apply only to self-employed people.

5. Home Office Deduction

When a self-employed person regularly uses a specific area of their home for business purposes, they may qualify to deduct costs associated with that part of the house. The home office deduction can be calculated in two ways (regular or simplified) up to the current gross income limitation. For more information, search for “IRS publication 587.”

When you’re in business for yourself, every moment counts. Online tools can help take the guesswork out of tracking your spending, setting up budgets, analyzing spending habits, and more.

6. Rent Out Your Home for Business Meetings

If you’re self-employed, you can also rent out your home for business events and meetings, collect the income — and not have to pay income taxes on that rental income. To learn specifics, visit https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-13-13.pdf.

7. Write Off Business Travel Expenses

Travel expenses, as defined by the IRS, are the “ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job. You can’t deduct expenses that are lavish or extravagant, or that are for personal purposes.” For IRS guidance for both W-2 employees and the self-employed, go to https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc511.

8. Deduct Half of Your Self-Employment Taxes

When calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI) as a self-employed person, using Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, you can deduct half the amount of your self-employment tax. In 2025 and 2026, the self-employment tax rate is 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, based on your net earnings.

9. Get a Credit for Higher Education

This tax credit can go up to $2,500 based on tuition costs along with what you paid in certain fees and for course materials. As a first step, income tax owed is reduced dollar for dollar up to your limit. Then, if your tax credit is more than what you owe, you may be able to get up to $1,000 in a refund.

10. Itemize State Sales Tax

Currently, you can deduct a total of $40,000 for itemized state and local income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes when you use Form 1040 or 1040-SR. If married but filing separately, the total is $20,000 per person. The IRS provides a calculator that you can use to figure out your deduction at https://apps.irs.gov/app/stdc/.

11. Make Charitable Donations

A taxpayer can typically deduct up to 60% of their AGI to qualified charities. However, thanks to a 2025 law, standard deduction filers can deduct up to $1,000 (or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly) for cash donations starting in the 2026 tax year.

12. Adjust Your Basis for Capital Gains Tax

If you sell an asset, including but not limited to investments, a capital gains tax is levied on the difference between the purchase price and what it sells for. The adjusted basis also takes into account the costs of capital improvements made, minus decreases such as casualty losses. For more on the topic when selling a home, search for “IRS publication 523.”

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

13. Avoid Capital Gains Tax by Donating Stock

You may be able to avoid paying capital gains tax if you transfer the ownership of your appreciated stock (held for more than one year). This is something that needs to be handled in exactly the right way; your tax accountant can help.

14. Invest in Qualified Opportunity Funds

If you invest in property through a Qualified Opportunity Fund, the IRS states that you can temporarily defer paying taxes on the gains. Taxes can be deferred (not reduced or canceled) up until December 31, 2026, or until an inclusion event occurs earlier than that date. This is a complex strategy and, again, you may want to get professional advice.

15. Claim Deductions for Military Members

You may be able to deduct moving expenses if you’re a member of the military on active duty who relocated because of a military order and permanent change of location. In this case, you can potentially deduct your unreimbursed moving expenses as well as those for your spouse and dependents. You can calculate relevant expenses on “IRS form 3903, Moving Expenses.”

16. Enroll in an Employee Stock Purchasing Program

In an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), an employee who works at a company that offers this program can buy company stock at a discount. The company takes out money through payroll deductions and, on the designated purchase date, buys stock for participating employees. Note that only qualified plans have potential tax benefits.

17. Deduct the Student Loan Interest You’ve Paid

You may qualify to deduct student loan interest. Annual deduction amounts are the lesser between the amount of interest paid and $2,500. This deduction is lowered and eliminated when your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reaches a certain limit based on your filing status.

18. Sell Your Losing Stocks to Claim Capital Loss Carryover

If you sell stock at less than the purchase price, you’ve experienced a capital loss. You can use that loss to offset any capital gains that year. If you’ve lost more than you’ve gained, this can reduce your taxable income, which could reduce what you owe up to $3,000 for individuals and married couples, and $1,500 for someone married who filed separately.

Recommended: Tax Loss Carryforward

19. Deduct Mortgage Interest

You can deduct the money you paid on mortgage interest on the first $750,000 (or $375,000 if married, filing separately) of mortgage debt you owe. Higher limits exist ($1,000,000/$500,000) if the debt was taken on before December 16, 2017.

20. Deduct Medical Expenses

Under certain circumstances, you can deduct medical and dental expenses for yourself, your spouse, and dependents. You’ll need to itemize on your tax return and can only deduct qualifying expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI.

21. Delay IRA Withdrawal Upon Retirement

You can delay IRA withdrawals so that you don’t have more taxable income when you’re a high earner.

22. Ask Your Employer to Defer Income

You pay income tax in the year the income is received. Although there are reasons why employers typically can’t postpone providing paychecks, they may be able to delay a bonus to the following year as long as this is standard practice for them. If self-employed, you can delay sending your end-of-year invoices to bump December payments to the following calendar year.

23. Open a 529 Plan for Education

A 529 plan allows you to save for future educational expenses. Although the contributions themselves aren’t deductible, interest that accrues in the account is tax-free, federally, as well as being tax-free in many states. In other words, when the money is withdrawn to pay college expenses, it is not taxed.

24. Buy Tax-Exempt Bonds

Interest you receive on muni bonds, for example, is not federally taxed (although there may be state and/or local taxes). These are typically very safe investments, although the interest rates may not be what you want.

25. Time Your Investment Gains or Losses

Known as tax loss harvesting, this strategy takes planning because you’ll want to ensure that any investment gains can be offset, as much as possible, by tax losses. So you may decide, as just one example, to hold on to a stock that’s lost significant value — selling it at a time when it can offset a stock sale with a sizable gain.

The Takeaway

High earners looking to reduce taxable income have many avenues to explore — some you’ve likely heard of, with others perhaps new to you. For instance, investors may be able to take advantage of tax loss harvesting, tax loss carryover, or tax efficient investing. Consult your tax accountant about your specific situation. And to take advantage of tax reduction opportunities, it’s important to keep careful track of your financial transactions.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

How can I lower my taxable income?

If you’re wondering how to reduce your taxable income, there are numerous strategies that might work for your situation. A good place to start: Contribute to a retirement account, open a health savings account, and learn which taxes and interest you can deduct. Talk to your tax accountant about specific questions you may have.

What are the tax loopholes for the rich?

If you’re looking to reduce your taxable income, consider making charitable donations and investigating investment strategies that offset gains with losses.

Do 401(k) contributions reduce taxable income?

Said another way, are IRA contributions tax deductible? Retirements typically offer some tax benefits with specifics varying based on the type of retirement account. Traditional IRAs have different rules, for example, than Roth IRAs.

Photo credit: iStock/Petar Chernaev

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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Waiting for the IRS to process your federal tax return? You might be wondering how long it takes for your tax return to come back. If you file electronically, your tax return will usually be processed within 21 days. A paper return can take six weeks or longer. If you include direct deposit information, your refund will come back much faster.

If you’re concerned because your federal tax return is delayed, you can check its status online or speak to an IRS representative. Keep reading to learn what’s going on behind the scenes at the IRS with your tax return and what factors may affect when you’ll see your refund.

How Long the IRS Takes to Process Your Taxes

The main factor affecting when you get your tax return back is how long the IRS takes to process your information. Processing time will vary depending on whether you file an electronic or paper return. On average, processing for e-file returns takes less than 21 days, whereas paper returns can take more than six weeks.

If you want to get your tax refund early, it’s best to file electronically, include direct deposit information, and file early in the tax season.

How Long a Tax Refund Typically Takes

Once your return is submitted to the IRS, processing can be broken down into three stages: return accepted, refund approved, and refund sent.

For electronic returns, you will typically see an email from the IRS within 24 hours confirming that your return has been accepted. For paper returns, you can expect notification in about four weeks. The acceptance stage just means the IRS has verified your personal information and checked that your dependents haven’t been claimed by someone else.

Next, the IRS will take a closer look at the information you’ve provided and either approve it or send a letter by mail asking for a correction or more information. This is the part that takes less than 21 days if you’ve e-filed.

Paper returns take longer because they must be manually uploaded by a human. Once uploaded, the information you provide can then be compared to data in the IRS system. However, submitting a paper return isn’t the only factor that can slow down a refund.

Factors That Could Slow Down Your Refund

If your return was filed electronically more than 21 days ago and you haven’t seen your refund yet, there could be a number of reasons for the delay, including:

•   The return has incorrect or incomplete information

•   Your personal info has potentially been used in identity theft or fraud

•   The child tax credit or recovery rebate credit may need to be corrected

•   The return qualifies for an additional child tax credit, earned income tax credit, or injured spouse allocation (form 8379)

•   Your bank or credit union needs additional time to post the refund to your account

If the IRS needs more information or wants a corrected return, they will contact you via mail. Many issues can be quickly resolved, especially if your finances are organized, as in a budget app. In the event that you owe money, the IRS will work with you to develop a payment plan.

Recommended: Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions: What’s the Difference?

How to Track the Progress of Your Refund

The IRS offers two ways you can check the status of your refund: online or with a representative. An online tool called “Where’s My Refund?” allows you to check the status of your federal return. You’ll need the following information on hand:

•   Social Security number

•   Filing status (single, married-filing joint, married-filing separate, head of household, qualifying widower)

•   Expected refund amount

After inputting this information, you should be able to see whether your return has been accepted, processed, or sent back to you.

The IRS also has representatives who can research the status of your refund, either by phone (1-800-829-1040) or in person at a taxpayer assistance center. Note that the IRS probably won’t be able to give you much information if you e-filed less than 21 days earlier or by paper less than six weeks earlier.

As with the online checker, you’ll need to provide the representative with your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount you expect.

What to Do If Your Refund Arrives and Has a Mistake

If you receive your refund and realize there’s a mistake, you can file an amended return to correct it. Keep in mind, you can’t electronically file an amended return; you must send it by mail.

Some mistakes are identified by the IRS. In that event, you’ll receive a letter in the mail explaining the issue and how to respond.

If you’re still unsure of what to do, the IRS offers a hotline where you can ask for guidance.

•   Individual taxpayers: 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059)

•   Business taxpayers: 800-829-4933

Recommended: My Tax Preparer Made a Mistake. What Can I Do?

How Long the IRS Has to Audit Your Taxes

If the IRS needs to review your tax return in more depth, you may be audited. Generally, the IRS tries to initiate audits as soon as they identify an issue with your tax return, but they may go back as far as three years. In cases where the error is substantial, they can audit up to six years of prior tax returns.

The Takeaway

If you file electronically, your tax return will usually be processed within 21 days. A paper return can take six weeks or longer. If you include direct deposit information, your refund will come back much faster.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

When can I expect my 2025 tax refund?

According to the IRS, nine out of 10 tax returns are processed within 21 days. To expedite the process, you can file your return electronically and include direct-deposit information. Paper returns are generally processed within six weeks.

How long does it take to get your tax refund direct deposit?

Most taxpayers who e-file and include direct-deposit info receive their refund in 21 days. If you submitted a paper return with direct-deposit info, you can generally expect your refund within six weeks.

How long does it take taxes to be returned?

Most taxpayers who e-file can expect refunds within 21 days. If you file via paper return, expect processing to take six weeks or more.

Photo credit: iStock/Baris-Ozer

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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