Taxes
Tax Returns
Table of Contents
Before you start your tax return
This tax return guide helps you get comfortable with federal filing fundamentals before any forms land on your desk. Your first real step is confirming whether you even need to submit a return this year, a threshold that depends on your income, filing status, and age. Once you clear that gate, book an afternoon to gather every income document you have been issued, including W-2s and any 1099s that reflect gig-economy or contract work. Do not file until all of those records are in your hands. Organizing those papers now does more than tidy your desk, since the IRS points out that good recordkeeping surfaces deductions and credits you might otherwise miss. With your documents sorted, identify the credits and deductions you plan to claim so you are not scrambling for receipts later or redoing work if a last-minute figure shifts.
Prepare your federal return
Book an appointment to secure your federal filing fundamentals now. Arrive with a valid taxpayer identification number, which the IRS requires before you can submit any return. First, decide whether you even need to file, as the obligation hinges on your residency status and income. You must file if you are a U.S. citizen or resident, and the same rule applies if you are a resident of Puerto Rico who meets the filing requirements for your category. Prepare your return through tax software or by filling out paper forms manually, then file the finished return electronically or on paper. When income crosses that threshold, switch to the IRS Tax Computation Worksheet. Throughout this process, resist any urge to start your state forms until every national-level figure is final, because a late adjustment will otherwise force you to repeat work you have already done.
Handle your state obligations
Once your federal return is settled and your adjusted gross income is final, you can transfer those figures directly into your state forms without fear of rework. Every state sets its own rules. Locate your state’s tax agency page to confirm how much you owe, how to pay, when the return is due, and how to track your refund. Some jurisdictions also levy county or city taxes. Check your local government website as a second stop, and be sure to review the state-specific filing instructions to catch any local nuances that could affect your bottom line.
Your preparation method can be as flexible as your national filing. New York says you can use a computer, tablet, or mobile device to prepare and electronically file your return. Commercial software like TurboTax lets you snap a photo of your W-2 right from an iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet. New York says to have an active email account, a driver license or state-issued nondriver ID, birth dates and Social Security numbers, and banking information before you begin. New York says to thoroughly review your return before submitting it. New York says you must sign your return, and if you hire a preparer, the preparer must also sign it. For the smoothest experience, follow your state’s specific filing instructions exactly, since these guides clarify any unique attachments or credits that deviate from the IRS baseline and help you avoid costly delays.
