The tax deadline is almost here! Although it might not be the most enjoyable financial task, it’s a necessary obligation that we each undertake every year. And if you use great tax software, filing taxes doesn’t take as much time as you may dread.
But tax filing time isn’t only about filing returns. There are things you can do today to help you save money on your 2021 tax bill, and help you save time on filing.
We’re partnering with H&R Block to help you know all the tips that can help you save time and money this tax season. If you’re looking for an easy way to file your taxes online before the tax filing deadline, check out H&R Block Online here >>
Here are the best last-minute tax tips to consider this season.
Don’t Miss The Tax Filing Deadline
First, the tax filing deadline is going to be later than “normal”. This year, most filers face a Federal tax deadline of Monday, April 18th, 2022. There are a few exceptions to this rule:
- May 16th is the Federal filing deadline for victims of winter storms in Tennessee, Illinois, and Kentucky. It’s also the deadline for victims of winter wildfires and winds in Colorado. See Irs.gov for details and whether you may be impacted.
Most states that charge an income tax also require that the tax be paid by April 18th. However, a few states have later filing deadlines:
- Massachusetts and Maine residents have until April 19, 2022.
- Delaware and Iowa have state filing deadlines of April 30, 2022.
- Virginia has a state filing deadline of May 1, 2022.
- Louisiana has a state filing deadline of May 15th, 2022.
Last year, the IRS was extremely short-staffed, and more than 6 million of last year’s filers still haven’t had their returns processed. Despite this, the IRS encourages filers to file their tax returns as usual for 2021, even if your 2020 return hasn’t processed yet.
The IRS has provided this critical piece of guidance for filers still awaiting their 2020 returns, “For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be processed, make sure you enter $0 (zero dollars) for last year’s AGI on the 2021 tax return.”
Double-Check Your Return Before You File
As you scramble to the tax finish line, don’t rush through the important details. A mistake on your tax form can lead to major headaches down the line.
Every year, we read stories about people who accidentally mistyped their name, address, or number. While tax software can help spot obvious errors, it can’t catch some mistakes like entering the wrong bank account information.
So don’t rush! Make sure to file with the correct Social Security number and include all of the necessary signatures.
We also recommend reviewing different sections of your return to ensure you haven’t made a major typo. For example, one zero separates $8,000 and $80,000. If you mistype one value, you could under or overstate your income, and this type of error could delay your tax return from being processed.
As you file your return, take advantage of opportunities to review your numbers. Double-check that they make sense with your actual income. This is easy to do using software like H&R Block Online which offers section summaries for income, deductions, and credits.
Make Sure You Have All Your Tax Forms
While most people settled into a new normal in the last year, it’s still been remarkably tumultuous. You may have claimed unemployment, received advanced Child Tax Credit payments, had side hustle income, or other “atypical” forms of income. These are a few tax forms you shouldn’t overlook this year:
- Letter 6475: Your Third Economic Impact Payment. Letter 6475 from the IRS provides information about stimulus payments you may have received in 2021. People who did not receive a stimulus payment but should have can claim a Rebate Recovery Credit. This may seem like a small group but it may include eligible parents of newborns and adopted children, and people who qualify based on income.
- Letter 6419: 2021 Advanced Child Tax Credits. This IRS letter explains how much income parents received for Advanced Child Tax Credits. The remainder of the Child Tax Credit must be claimed through an income tax return. If you can’t find your letter, you can access it via your online account if you need to.
- 1099-G: Unemployment Income. 1099-G forms provide information on unemployment income (and whether taxes were withheld from the income). While employment numbers are currently strong, many people started 2021 unemployed, and they need to claim that income. If you didn’t receive this form, you may need to go to your state’s website to find out how to request an online copy of the letter.
- 1099-NEC: Forms reporting Non-Employee Income. The 1099-NEC reports non-employment income. Filers with this type of income are considered self-employed, and they may be eligible for all sorts of self-employed deductions. If you earned more than $600 from a single business entity, they are supposed to provide a 1099-NEC to you.
File Your Taxes Even If You Owe
Even if you owe money on your taxes, you want to file your tax return on time. Interest on late taxes is a reasonable interest rate, but non-filing penalties are steep, and it increases the rate you’ll pay on overdue taxes.
Getting your taxes filed will also help you nail down how much money you owe, so you can make a specific plan to get your back taxes paid off.
Seek Out Legitimate Deductions And Credits
Great tax software makes it easy to claim legitimate tax deductions and credits. A great tax software, like H&R Block Online, makes it easy to itemize deductions or claim deductions for student loan interest or charitable gifts.
It also helps you find credits such as:
It can also help filers reconcile confusing credits such as:
- Rebate Recovery Credit. This credit is owed to people who either didn’t receive their 2021 economic stimulus payment or to people who received less than they were owed. Letter 6475 from the IRS explains how much money you received from the third economic stimulus payment. If you are eligible for a larger amount, you can reconcile the amount using the Rebate Recovery Credit. This may be confusing to do by hand, but tax software can help you with the heavy lifting.
- Child Tax Credit. In 2021, many parents received Advance Child Tax Credit payments. These payments reduce the amount that parents can claim for the Child Tax Credit this year. To reconcile the amounts, you will need to deduct the amount the IRS already paid to you. You can find this amount in Letter 6419 which was issued to all people who received advance payments of their Child Tax Credit.
If you’re not sure what credits you may qualify for, H&R Block can help. H&R Block Online can guide you through questions of common situations you may have, and you can always upgrade to include unlimited help from their tax pros for assistance! Check out H&R Block Online here >>
Don’t Forget Your Self-Employment Expenses
Whether you’re a full-time freelancer or a side hustler, you likely have some form of self-employment income. And most forms of self-employed income are accompanied by tax-deductible expenses.
Before you file, comb through your electronic receipts to find expenses that count as tax-deductible. Some common deductible expenses include a portion of your internet costs, website maintenance costs, educational materials, and any direct costs of goods sold. You might be surprised at the sheer number of tax-deductible expenses to be found in your side hustle.
Recording these costs allows you to claim them on your tax return. H&R Block Self-Employed Online explains some of the legitimate deductions, so you can look for these expenses in your past credit card statements and other records.
If your side hustle is becoming a full-time hustle, you might consider looking at getting professional help as well. H&R Block has tax experts that can help you with any situation, from filing your taxes this year, to getting the help you need to set yourself up for success next year.
Claim Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Expenses
Many employers offer Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts, and other tax-deductible spending accounts. Money in your Flexible Spending Accounts is yours, but it’s up to you to claim the money in it. If you don’t claim the money by tax time, you will probably lose the money in those accounts, even if you set aside the money yourself.
If you’re lucky, you may have a few weeks remaining to spend the money in the account. So stock up on contacts, get your teeth cleaned, or do whatever you need to do to use up that money. Then submit your receipts, so you can get reimbursed.
Even if you can’t keep spending, you may still be eligible to submit receipts for reimbursement.
Every employer has different rules regarding the Flexible Spending Accounts, so check with your HR representative to figure out what you need to do to take advantage of these funds.
Contribute To An IRA Or Roth IRA
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a tax-advantaged investment account designed for retirement. People who contribute to an IRA can claim a tax deduction this year for funds contributed. The funds can grow tax-free until you withdraw them during retirement. There are income limits associated with IRA contributions, and the maximum you can contribute is $6,000 ($7,000 for people age 50 and up). Contributions aren’t due until tax day, so this is a great way to save on your taxes this year.
Roth IRAs are similar to traditional IRAs, but they don’t allow you to claim a tax deduction this year. Instead, you pay taxes on your contribution this year. Then the gains and distributions are free from taxation. Even though you don’t get a tax deduction, you must complete your 2021 Roth IRA contributions by April 18th, 2022.
The Bottom Line
As you move toward the end of the tax filing season, consider taking advantage of these last-minute tax tips that can save you money. The tips above can help you if you’re considering a DIY approach to filing your taxes. However, generic tips are not a substitute for help from a tax professional or tax filing service. Professionals can help you with tax prep and questions specific to your situation.
We recommend H&R Block Online this year. If you haven’t filed yet, there’s still plenty of time to get your taxes done. Simply sign up for H&R Block Online here and follow the prompts. Get started now >>
