Filing your taxes can be complicated and confusing, no matter what stage you’re at in life.
Plus, with tax laws and guidance regularly changing, it can be difficult to keep up and ensure you’re working with the most up-to-date information.
The good news is starting early, having a plan, and being prepared can help alleviate some of the initial filing jitters.
Use this step-by-step guide to understand how the tax filing process works, important guidance to keep in mind, and credits and deductions that can help lower your tax bill or increase your refund.
6 Simple Steps to Filing Your Taxes
Here are the 6 key steps you can take to file your federal income taxes with confidence.
Step 1: Review key tax season dates and deadlines.
Employers are required to send out key tax documents, like W-2s and some 1099s, by January 31, 2026. The IRS usually announces the official start of tax season around the same time. For example, last year’s filing season began on Monday, January 27, 2025.
As usual, the deadline for individuals to file their federal (and most state) income taxes or request a filing extension is April 15, 2026. Keep in mind that this is also the deadline for paying any taxes owed, even if you request a filing extension.
If you are granted a filing extension, you will be required to finish filing your federal tax return by October 15, 2026.
Step 2: Gather important documents and information.
You’ll need to collect some documentation to prepare your tax return. Most often, this will include specific tax documents, personal information (including Social Security numbers) for your spouse or dependents, and receipts that prove expenses you intend to deduct.
- Form 1040: A 1040 is your individual tax return. This is where you’ll enter information from your other tax forms to file your income taxes with the government.
- W-2: A document from your employer that summarizes the wages and benefits you earned along with taxes you paid during the tax year.
- 1099: The group of tax forms summarizing payments received from individuals or businesses other than an employer.
- 1099-NEC reports non-employee compensation. Typically, freelancers, contractors, or other self-employed individuals receive 1099-NECs. Bonus Tip: If you’re self-employed, it’s a good idea to start saving receipts for things like gas, tools, and other work-expenses that you intend to deduct later.
- 1099-INT reports interest earned throughout the tax year. Most often, this will come from a financial institution and summarize interest earned on a savings account.
- 1099-K reports income received via credit or debit card payments and third-party payment apps like CashApp, PayPal, and Venmo.
- 1098-T: For students, this is a record from your college or university containing information about the tuition and other educational expenses you’ve paid throughout the tax year.
- Receipts: You may need receipts to support your tax return if you’re self-employed (work-related expenses like gas mileage, licensing, office expenses, etc.) or if you intend to itemize deductions (charitable donations, medical expenses, childcare costs, etc.).
- Personal Information: You should plan to collect the personal information, including full name, date of birth, and social security numbers, for anyone added to your tax return—this could be a spouse or any dependents you intend to claim.
- Account Information: With the IRS working to eliminate paper check payments, it’s a good idea to have your account and routing numbers handy when you file. If you’ll be receiving a refund, you can enter these account details on your tax return to have your refund quickly and securely added to your desired account through direct deposit.
Step 3: Explore tax deductions and tax credits.
You’ve probably heard the terms “tax credit” and “tax deduction” even if you aren’t totally sure what they mean. Both can help lower your tax bill, although they do so in different ways.
Tax Deductions
Tax deductions are qualifying expenses or losses that you can claim to reduce your taxable income, in turn, lowering your tax bill. If you qualify for numerous, hefty deductions, itemizing them can be a good idea. Itemizing your deductions means listing them out. Here are some examples you may have heard about:
- Charitable donations
- Student loan interest
- Using your car for business
- Losses from disasters and theft
Many tax filers, though, simply take the standard deduction—a fixed amount, set and updated by the IRS each year. For 2025 taxes (filed in 2026), the standard deduction is $15,750. Unless itemizing your deductions would save you money, we recommend using the standard deduction. Some deductions can be itemized while still claiming the standard deduction, so be sure to consider all your options.
Tax Credits
Tax credits can be subtracted from the amount of tax you owe, again, reducing your tax bill. These credits can be refundable, meaning if the taxes you owe are less than the credit amount, you’ll receive the remaining amount as a refund; non-refundable, meaning any excess over the amount you owe is not eligible to be refunded; or partially refundable, meaning only a portion of the credit amount is eligible to be added to your refund. Learn more about the following credits to see if you’re eligible:
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Child Tax Credit
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Adoption Tax Credit
- Education Credits—American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
- Saver’s Tax Credit—for retirement contributions
Step 4: Choose how to file.
When it comes to filing your taxes, you have options. We’ll weigh each one below, so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.
File with Tax Preparation Software
Generally, if you’re filing a simple tax return with Form 1040 and your W-2, we recommend using a tax preparation software. With numerous simple, no-cost options available, this route can save you time and money this filing season.
If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is below $84,000, you qualify for IRS Free File. Through this program, the IRS partners with other tax preparation software providers and the Free File Alliance to guide you through the process and help you get filed for free. Be sure to select a provider directly on the IRS website to ensure you’re getting the free file option.
The IRS also offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program where filers who generally make $64,000 or less, have disabilities, or speak limited English can get basic tax return preparation from certified volunteers at no cost.
And, there are plenty of private companies offering similar services. Most tax preparation software are fairly similar—they’ll likely require you to create an account and enter some personal information. Then, you’ll upload your tax documents and the software will ask you questions about your finances and lifestyle to fill in the remainder of the form. Other free filing software options include:
- FreeTaxUSA (note that there is a $15.99 fee for filing state taxes)
- TurboTax
- H&R Block
- TaxAct
- My Free Taxes through the United Way
File with a Tax Professional
If your taxes are more complex, you want additional guidance, or you simply want to save time and energy, filing with a tax professional can be another great option. This way, you have a direct point of contact for tax questions, help with forms, and ensure an accurate tax return. And, perhaps one of the best parts is: even if you choose to work with a tax professional, you may not have to leave the house! Many tax preparation companies offer a secure portal for you to upload sensitive tax documents, privately message your preparer, and review your final tax return. Check for local H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or accounting offices to find tax preparation services near you.
Step 5: File your return before April 15.
Using the method you selected in Step 4, it’s time to file your return! Don’t forget the deadline to file is April 15, 2026. If you need additional time to file, you should request an extension from the IRS before the deadline. Remember, even if you’re requesting an extension, tax payments are still due on April 15.
If you’re expecting a refund, be sure to fill in the “Refund” section of your return carefully. Have your account information ready from Step 2 because this is where you’ll enter the account and routing numbers, so the IRS can determine where to send your refund. Double check that the name on your account is an exact match to the name on your tax return.
Step 6: Receive your refund or pay any taxes owed.
After filing, you’ll receive a notification from the IRS, your tax preparer, or the software you used letting you know that your return has been accepted. If you’ve opted to receive your refund via direct deposit, you’re likely to see it hit your account within 21 days.
If you owe taxes, the IRS has numerous payment options available:
- IRS Direct Pay—make a one-time payment from a checking or savings account, debit or credit card, or digital wallet—no cost and no account required.
- IRS Online Account for Individuals—an online account with the IRS that lets you access your tax records and information, view and make payments, and start payment plans.
- Same-day Wire—complete the form and get in touch with your financial institution to send a same-day wire transfer.
- Electronic Funds Withdrawal (e-filing ONLY)—initiate a direct debit from your designated bank account during the filing process. This option is ONLY available to those filing electronically with a tax professional or tax preparation software.
- IRS Payment Plans—make an arrangement with the IRS for paying your taxes over an extended period of time.
Filing with Confidence
When it comes to tax season, getting started is the hard part. You’ve already taken a big step by reading this article and brushing up on your tax filing know-how. Keep the momentum going by continuing to take small steps towards being prepared for the filing season—adding reminders for key tax dates to your calendar is a great way to get growing.
Taxes are complex to begin with, but pair that with regular rule changes and annual guidance updates, it can be hard to keep track of it all.
You don’t have to go it alone! Use this step-by-step guide to get ready for the upcoming tax season, get in touch with a tax professional if you have questions, and the small steps you’re already taking will go a long way in helping you feel prepared to file when the time comes.
