The US tax return campaign has already begun. According to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), citizens will have until April 15, 2025 to file the necessary documents and avoid being penalized by Social Security. However, the agency itself states that this process can also be carried out autonomously, avoiding errors in the process and, furthermore, without the need to go in person to the offices of this administration.
In fact, according to the Internal Revenue Service of the United States itself, there are free tools available to prepare and find out how the tax return for the year in question will turn out, so that the worker can find out in advance what their income has been in the tax year and, therefore, work out whether the Tax Agency is going to take money away or give money back. Furthermore, as the IRS itself explains, if this process is done online, it will be possible to avoid delays in refunds.
2025 tax return in the United States
Gather the necessary documents
- If you are a full-time employee, your employers should have sent you Form W-2 by January 31st. It shows the salary you earned during the year, as well as the taxes withheld.
- If you are self-employed or work on a contract basis, you may receive a 1099-NEC form with details of what you earned. You may also receive documents showing dividends or interest earned on investments.
- If you are a university student, you will receive form 1098-T which shows how much you paid in tuition, as well as any amount you received in grants or scholarships, to help you calculate deductions and credits related to educational expenses.
- Receipts for charitable donations, medical expenses and business expenses, if you make an itemized statement.
Determining marital status
Your marital status for tax return purposes is used to determine your filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits and your correct tax, explains the IRS.
You will therefore need information about your marital status, which is determined by whether or not you are married under US law. If applicable, the year of death of your spouse is also required. The percentage you pay of household expenses also affects the option you should choose on your return, according to the tax agency.
How to file your tax return?
The IRS recommends using tax preparation software to file more accurate and easier returns online.
- If your adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less, you have the option of doing it for free and on your own through Free File, a tool that allows you to prepare and file your federal income tax return online on the website of an IRS partner or using Free File Fillable Forms. The software usually includes step-by-step instructions and help for taxpayers.
- You can use an electronic filing provider authorized by the IRS online filing program, which are qualified to prepare, transmit and process returns online.
- Paper tax return sent by regular mail.
- The IRS offers free tax help to people with low incomes, members of the Armed Forces and their families, people with disabilities, the elderly or taxpayers with limited English proficiency.
Settling debts with the IRS
If you have any financial debts with the IRS, you can pay your taxes online through the IRS website. Full or partial payments are accepted, as well as installment plans. According to the tax agency, penalties and interest will continue to accrue until you pay the full balance.
File your tax return by the deadline
The deadline for filing your return this year is April 15. However, if you live in Maine or Massachusetts, you have until April 17, 2025, due to the Patriots’ and Emancipation Days holidays.