Tax Season Tips
You might still have a decent amount of time to file your taxes, but the due date is getting closer every day. Instead of stressing about filing your taxes at the last minute, it helps to prepare yourself and get your taxes in early. That way you have one less thing to stress about.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when filing your taxes in 2022.
Get Started Early
No one likes to file taxes, but that doesn’t mean they just go away. When you give yourself plenty of time to file, you can make sure you include all pertinent information and get your maximum refund — or owe as little as possible.
Start gathering all of the information you’ll need so you can try to file your taxes in one sitting. It’s best to get it over with rather than dwell on the task. If you don’t have time to take care of it all at once, there are many tax programs that will save your progress as you go.
1. Decide How You'll File Your Taxes
There are a number of ways you can file your taxes, each with its own pros and cons. You can file your taxes on your own using one of the many available software options, or you can enlist the help of a professional.
Typically your choices will be:
- Filing taxes on your own: This option won’t cost you anything, but it can take a long time and can increase the chances you’ll make mistakes, meaning you might underpay or get less of a refund than you actually qualify for.
- Using tax software: This option usually strikes a balance between ease and price. Some software will even do your taxes for free depending on your income. Tax software can often make doing your taxes much easier than doing it on your own, but sometimes it might not be ideal for more complicated tax situations.
- Working with a tax professional: A tax professional will talk to you about your tax situation and take care of any complicated tax scenarios. This can sometimes be one of the more expensive approaches, but it can also help you get the biggest refund or owe the smallest amount. Those who have experienced a significant life event or who are self-employed may also want to consider an accountant.
2. Make Sure Your Beneficiary Designations Are Up to Date
Tax season is a great time to make sure all of your financial bases are covered and up to date. Check your beneficiary designations to confirm they reflect your current life situation. If you’ve gotten married or had kids since the last time you looked at this, you may want to alter your beneficiary designations to include these new additions to your family.
Your beneficiary designations will determine who you can directly transfer your assets to, so it’s a good idea to get these ducks in a row.
3. Gather Income Documents
There are a number of documents you’ll need if you want to file your taxes properly. Your employers will be sending you most of this paperwork, particularly your W2s. If you have financial accounts, they’ll send you tax information as well. Freelancers will likely receive 1099 documents.
You should gather as much income information as possible, because being accurate may save you money in the long run and help you avoid any potential filing issues or audits.
Here are some other income documents that you’ll want to have on hand if they apply to you:
- Gains and losses from investments
- Income from rental properties and expenses
- Retirement contributions
- Social security benefits
- Alimony and child support
Be sure to be as accurate as you can.
4. Start Looking at Credits and Deductions
Tax credits and deductions will help reduce your tax bill if you owe taxes or increase your refund if you’ve paid in the proper amount.
For most people, the standard deduction will work fine. However, if you’re self-employed or you have deductions that exceed the standard limit, you’ll want to itemize your deductions.
Claiming these tax credits and itemizing your deductions can take some time. It’s important to have all of the information you need to provide the IRS so you can claim all the deductions and credits you’re eligible for.
5. Max Out Retirement Plan Contributions
Although it’s too late for your retirement plan contributions to help you this year, you can always start planning to max out your retirement plan contributions for the next year. In 2022, the IRS increased the amount employees can contribute if they participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans. The new limit is $20,500. Individuals over the age of 50 can contribute an additional catch-up amount of $6,500 for both tax years.
Contributions to traditional and Roth IRAs remain at $6,000. It’s worth keeping in mind that income that you contribute to these accounts is untaxed, so maxing out your contributions will save you on your tax bill next year.
6. Plan Ahead if You Might Owe
Tax season is bad enough, but it’s even more irritating if you end up owing money instead of getting a refund. If you’re going to owe money, it helps to plan early. Start saving up to pay off your taxes owed, and make a plan for paying them down if it’s more than you can afford in one payment.
The best thing you can do if you owe taxes every year is to set aside a certain percentage of each payment you receive. If you’re self-employed, you should also make estimated payments throughout the year to avoid fees and penalties while making your end-of-year tax burden more manageable.
7. Renew Your ITIN if Necessary
An ITIN, or individual taxpayer identification number, is assigned to someone who doesn’t have a social security number or who isn’t eligible for one. If you have an ITIN, make sure to review its status. You may need to renew your individual taxpayer identification number or change your status if you’ve obtained a social security number.
What’s New for This Year?
There are often new changes that the IRS enacts every year that taxpayers need to keep up with. Here are some of the most important changes that the IRS made this year.
Check on Advance Child Tax Credit Payments
The IRS has outlined some stipulations regarding advance child tax credit payments. Here are the main points to keep in mind:
- Families who received advance payments should compare the advance payments they received in 2021 with the amount of credit they can claim on their 2021 return.
- If you’re a taxpayer who receives less than the amount you’re eligible for, you can claim the remaining amount as a credit.
- Families who are eligible but did not get advance payments can get a lump-sum payment instead of claiming a tax credit when they file their federal tax return. This included families who don’t need to file otherwise.
- The IRS sent Letter 6419 in January 2022 indicating the total amount of tax credit payments that were received by taxpayers. Keep this letter if you’ve already received it with your tax records. You can also access these amounts on the IRS website.
Economic Impact Payments and Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit
The IRS has also released information regarding economic impact payments and the recovery rebate credit.
Here’s what you need to know:
- If you didn’t qualify for the third economic impact payment or if you didn’t receive the full amount, you might be eligible for a rebate credit on your 2021 taxes. You will need to file a return even if you wouldn’t normally need to.
- Individuals who file will need the amount of the third payment and plus-up payments to calculate the rebate credit amount.
- The IRS is sending Letter 6475 in 2022 that contains the total amount of the impact payment and plus-up payments that taxpayers received. If you receive this letter, make sure to keep it with your other tax records. You can also access it on the IRS website.
Changes to the Charitable Contribution Deduction
Finally, the IRS has made changes to the charitable contribution deduction that you can claim on your taxes. If you don’t already itemize your deductions, you may qualify to deduct up to $600 for married taxpayers who file jointly or up to $300 for other filers who contributed to qualified organizations.
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