Filing taxes can be a stressful experience, especially if it’s your first time. But unfortunately, it’s unavoidable for almost every American. In fact, Benjamin Franklin (rather bleakly) once said that the only things certain in this world are death and taxes — and he wasn’t wrong.
Fortunately, those new to the big April deadline don’t need to stress. If you’re a first-time tax filer with a complex situation, you might benefit from paid online services or a tax professional. But otherwise, you’ll find a wealth of free information, including right here.
So are you filing for the first time? Read on for an in-depth guide that covers the ins and outs of how to do taxes for the first time, including:
• What you need to file taxes
• Where you can file your taxes
• How can you pay your taxes
• Tips for first-time tax filers
• Mistakes to avoid when filing your taxes
What Do You Need to File Your Taxes?
If this is your first time filing, it’s a good idea to gather everything you need before you sit down at a computer or with an accountant. Here’s what you’ll need:
• Social Security number: If you aren’t sure, ask your parents or legal guardians. Once you start filing taxes, it’s a good idea for you to keep your Social Security card and other important documents, like your birth certificate, instead of leaving them at your parents’ house.
• Wage and income information: For most first-time filers, this will simply be a W-2 form from your employer.
◦ If you did any freelance or contacted work, you should receive 1099 forms from each entity that paid you.
◦ If you have a bank account or investments that earned interest, and you will have received forms for those, typically a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV.
• Documentation for tax credits and deductions: When doing your taxes for the first time at a young age, it is unlikely that you will qualify for many tax credits and deductions, if any at all. And because the standard deduction has increased significantly over the years, you will likely take the standard deduction (instead of itemized), for which you won’t need any documentation.
◦ If you’re a student, also look for the form 1098-T from your school, which details tuition payments you have made and funds received (such as grants), to help you identify whether you are eligible for any deductions. In addition, be aware that some college scholarships or grants may be considered taxable income.
• Bank account info: If you expect to receive a refund and want the money electronically deposited into your bank account, you need to have your account number and routing number at the ready. If you owe money, you can pay from your bank account, a credit or debit card, or a paper check or money order.
The IRS also advises checking with parents before filing to see if they are claiming you as a dependent.
Recommended: What to Do If You’re Missing Tax Documents
Where Can You Fill Out Your Taxes?
When learning how to do taxes for the first time, one big question is exactly where to get this done. The IRS allows you to fill out your taxes in several ways, either by paper or electronically.
Filing Online
You can file online directly through the IRS website with a tool called IRS Free File . And if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $73,000 or less, the IRS even offers free guided tax preparation. Even if you brought in more than $73,000, the IRS makes all its tax forms available for e-file free of charge.
However, navigating tax forms can be overwhelming. Purchased tax software comes with educational resources and interactive platforms that prompt you for the correct information. Using tax software could help filers avoid math errors and find deductions and tax credits they may not have otherwise known about.
As a filer, it’s up to you to research popular tax software solutions (such as TurboTax, H&R Block, Tax Slayer, and TaxAct) and find the option that suits you best.
Filing Manually
The old method of filing by hand with pen and paper is still possible, but the IRS discourages this. Their main “How to File” page bears a bright yellow alert at the top notifying filers that returns filed on paper can take six or more months to process.
Because pen and paper can lead to more errors, it is a good idea for first-time and veteran filers to utilize free or purchased online software or even a tax professional.
Recommended: How Long Does It Take for the IRS to Mail Tax Refund Checks?
Filing With a Professional
Tax professionals can file manually and online, but the IRS encourages all accountants to utilize the online option. For a speedy return and fewer errors, most tax professionals will likely file electronically for you.
As a first-time filer, your tax situation will not likely be complex enough to warrant a tax professional. But as your finances become more complicated — with investments, real estate, small business ownership, and more — a tax accountant may make sense.
Another benefit of working with an accountant can be their training and knowledge. A professional may be able to help you find (legal) ways to pay less taxes.
How Do You Pay Your Taxes?
When filing taxes for the first time, there’s a good chance you will not owe anything; in fact, Uncle Sam probably owes you money.
In the event that you do owe the government money, however, you have multiple options for paying your taxes:
• Direct Pay: The amount owed will be debited from a checking or savings account.
• Credit or debit card: You can pay your outstanding tax balance with a debit or credit card online. This is a nice option if you have cash back rewards, but you will typically be paying a high interest rate if you carry a balance.
• Check or money order: The IRS still accepts checks in the mail, as well as money orders.
• Installment agreement: If you cannot afford your tax bill all at once, you can use the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool to apply for an installment plan.
Recommended: Can You Use a Personal Loan to Pay Taxes?
Filing Tips for First-Timers
Feeling nervous about doing taxes for the first time? Here are some tips for making the experience less painful:
Watching Your Income
To determine if you need to file, you can watch your income throughout the year. Once you pass a certain threshold, you will be required to file. This filing threshold can vary depending on your situation, so you’ll need to check out the IRS filing requirements .
If you know that you will make enough money to pay taxes, it’s a good idea to ensure your employer is withholding the proper amount of money from each paycheck for federal, state, city, and even school district taxes. If you believe your employer is not withholding enough (or is withholding too much), the IRS recommends filling out a Form W-4 to change your withholding.
Recommended: What Tax Bracket Am I In?
Gathering All Necessary Documents
Tax documents will start arriving in the mail or digitally early in the new year, typically near the end of January or in early February. As these documents come in, it’s wise to store them in a safe place, like a manila folder in a fire safe or an encrypted folder on your computer. When it’s time to file, you’ll be able to access all your tax forms quickly and easily, rather than hunting all over for them.
If your tax situation is more complex — for instance, if you are self-employed, receive student loans, or make charitable donations — it’s a good idea to hold on to relevant forms throughout the year. Self-employed individuals, for example, may want to save receipts for business expenses incurred throughout the year.
Recommended: Tax Deductions for Freelancers
Learning About Potential Credits
When filing taxes for the first time, you may not be eligible for many tax credits. Tax preparation software, a tax professional, or even the IRS’s guided filing tool may be able to help you find out which credits you qualify for.
Before filing on your own, it could be wise to review the IRS list of tax credits for individuals to see if any apply to you.
Learning About Potential Deductions
Similarly, most first-time filers will want to take the standard deduction instead of itemizing because it may offer the larger discount. However, the IRS does offer itemized deductions for things like student loan interest and work expenses, if you are self-employed.
You can familiarize yourself with these IRS deductions before filing to determine if itemizing deductions is right for you.
Recommended: Tax Deductions for College Students
Understanding Deadlines
Tax Day in the United States is April 15, but if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the tax deadline moves out to the next business day. In recent years, the IRS had adjusted Tax Day in light of the pandemic, but the organization has since moved back to its traditional schedule.
If you owe estimated taxes each quarter (say, if you are self-employed), you will need to pay taxes four times a year. Working with a tax accountant may be in your best interest. Members of the Armed Forces may have special rules governing the due date of their taxes.
Individuals can also apply for a tax extension; this extends the due date of filing, but not the due date of payment. That means you might get a six-month extension to file the paperwork, but if you have not paid what you owe by April 15, you could be subject to late penalties.
Do You Need to File Taxes Every Year?
Not everyone is required to file tax returns every year. It all comes down to your unique tax situation and how much you earned. However, if you earn income throughout the year, there is a good chance you will need to file. It’s a good idea to review the IRS filing requirements or speak with an accountant if you are not sure.
Tax Filing Mistakes to Avoid
Working with tax preparation software or an accountant can help avoid some common mistakes when filing taxes, but familiarizing yourself with some of the most common errors can be helpful, no matter how you’re filing:
• Forgetting about state and city. We often think about federal income taxes, but your city and state (and maybe even school district) could also have their own taxes that you are required to pay.
• Not filing. Income thresholds can change each year. It’s always a good idea to check whether you are required to file taxes for a given year even if you didn’t have to for the previous year.
• Not checking with parents. If you are filing taxes for the first time, your parents are likely used to claiming you as a dependent. Talking with them about dependent status before filing could be a smart move.
• Filing without all your forms. Getting taxes over with early can relieve a lot of stress (and means you can get your tax refund early), but if you have any tax form stragglers, like a 1099, that appear in the mail after you’ve completed your taxes, you might land in trouble with the IRS.
• Entering in the wrong info. Tax preparation is not something to speed through. Even though e-filing helps avoid simple pen-and-paper mistakes, it’s still possible to incorrectly enter things like your birth date or Social Security number. Slow and steady — with lots of double- and triple-checking — wins the race.
Banking With SoFi
The fastest way to get a tax refund is a direct deposit into your bank account. If you’re a first-time filer looking to get a bank account online ahead of your refund, consider the SoFi Checking and Savings account. It lets you spend and save in one convenient place, and when you open an account with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY and pay no fees, which can help your money grow faster. What’s more, eligible accounts can get paycheck access up to two days early.
FAQ
What happens if you make an error on your taxes?
As soon as you realize you have made a mistake on your taxes, you can amend it with Form 1040-X or by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040. In general, the IRS does not consider mistakes to be tax fraud, though you may end up paying late penalties. If you have intentionally made errors and the IRS catches you, you could be charged with a tax crime.
How much income do I need to make in order to pay taxes?
The amount of income that you need to make to pay taxes can fluctuate each year and depends on your filing status (single; head of household; married, filing jointly; married, filing separately; qualifying widow/widower). For the most recent tax season, a single filer under 65 needed to make $12,550 or more to file.
What is the deadline for filing taxes?
In general, the tax deadline in the U.S. is April 15. If this date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. Members of the military may have special rules affecting their deadline, and self-employed individuals typically must pay quarterly estimated taxes throughout the year.
How can I avoid tax scams?
The best way to avoid tax scams is to educate yourself on what they look like. The most common tax scams are email phishing scams and phone scams. Remember that the IRS will never email you requesting personal or financial information. If a phone call feels suspicious, review the IRS site on this subject and note all the things that the IRS will not do over the phone, including threatening legal action or leaving pre-recorded, urgent messages.
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