Feb. 1: February is the shortest month of the year, but over these 28 days this year, we celebrate Black History Month, commemorating the invaluable e achievements and contributions of black Americans and recognizing the important role of African Americans in U.S. history.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation's oldest and largest grassroots-based civil rights organization, was founded on this month, specifically on Feb. 12, 1909, the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation twice.
One of the NAACP's key divisions is its Legal Defense and Educational Fund. If you want to support the NAACP Fund's work or give to an Historically Black College or donate to your local community nonprofit, your gift could help make a special statement during Black History Month. Your contributions also might be worth a tax break to you. As long as the group to which you donate is a 501(c)(3) organization, you can claim the amount as a charitable tax deduction if you itemize.
Feb. 2: Happy Groundhog Day!
Or as we call it here in Central Texas, Armadillo Day, since the nine-banded 'dillo Bee Cave Bob offers his own weather prognostications today.
But regardless of the weather today, or six weeks from now when we’re deeper into Tax Season 2025, you need to make sure you get your filing right. If you don’t, you’ll end up being the tax version of Bill Murray in the “Groundhog Day” movie, this time reliving your tax mistakes and correcting them by filing an amended tax return. Doing your taxes once is bad enough. So, do it correctly, the one and only time!
Feb. 3: Major disasters ravaged much of the United States last year. In fact, some taxpayers who got extensions in 2024 to file their 2023 tax year — yes, 2023 — returns by Oct. 15, 2023, were given even more time to complete that task due to the catastrophic hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other acts of Mother Nature that struck their areas. Today, however, is Tax Day for them. Those taxpayers on extension in 14 states and two U.S. island territories must file their 2023 tax year returns by today, Feb. 3.
Feb. 9: Are your ready Chiefs, Eagles, and special television commercial fans? It's finally Super Bowl Sunday! Not only will today's 59th Super Bowl decide American professional football's champion, it's also the biggest single betting day of the year. The NFL, like the other professional U.S. sports leagues, have embraced betting. Just remember, if any of your wagers pay off, either in person at casinos or online bets, you owe tax on your winnings. Note, too, that even if your winnings are part of a fantasy sports bet, the associated taxes are very real.
Feb. 10: If your job is as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers, maybe from those winning Super Bowl high-rollers, are part of your compensation, I hope you get all the tips you deserve for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income.

Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery or getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.
And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in January for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.
Feb. 14: Happy Valentine's Day! Do you and your better half file a joint return? Most married couples do. Remember to look over the 1040 carefully before you sign it. When both spouses sign their jointly filed 1040, each is jointly and severally liable for the entire tax amount due. I don't want to spoil your Heart Day celebration, but this means the IRS can come after either spouse for payment of a tax bill, even the husband or wife who is in more dire financial circumstances.
Feb. 17: Today's Washington Birthday federal holiday officially honors George Washington, the Father of Our Country. Over the years, however, this federal (three-day, yay!) holiday has come to commemorate the contributions of all our Commanders in Chief, and is popularly known as Presidents' Day. That means we've got to give another shout out to Abraham Lincoln, who essentially was father of our income tax system, signing into law a tax on earnings to help pay Civil War costs.
Feb. 18: The Internal Revenue Service today can finally issue refunds to filers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or additional Child Tax Credit. But don't spend the money just yet. Even if you're getting your tax refund directly deposited, the IRS' general processing time plus protocols of financial institutions receiving the refunds you’re your tax cash probably won't actually show up in your account until closer to the end of this month.
Feb. 24: You're ready to work on your tax return, but you're on a budget. No worries. The IRS and its Free File Alliance partners are back, again offering no-cost online tax preparation and electronic filing to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income (AGI) is $84,000 or less, regardless of filing status at the official IRS.gov Free File website. The same eight software companies that participated last year are back for the 2025 filing season.

If your income is too high, you still can file for free by using Free File's Fillable Forms option.
You also might want to check out IRS Direct File, the IRS’ own free online tax prep and e-filing program if you live in one of the 25 states where the free online tax preparation and e-filing is offered. In addition, Direct File offers more options that apply to more taxpayers’ situations this year.
Feb. 28: Wow! This really is a short month! Or maybe we were just having a ton of tax fun. Wait. What? You say you weren't having any fun at all trying to do your taxes yourself, even with software's prompts, and have decided to turn to professional tax help. That's a smart move, and here are some tips on how to find the perfect tax professional for your filing and planning needs. Note, though, that at this point in the filing season, you're likely to be placed at the end of that tax pro's very long client queue, as reputable tax preparers' calendars fill up fast. So again, be patient. You're at least now in tax filing line.
Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. The IRS is updating the online version. Until that link is operational, you can get the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.
I'm about fed up with California goverment. I will be moving to Nv. as soon as I get things packed....
Posted by: Dan | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Shut up Romaldo Espinoza you fucking cry baby.
Posted by: sf | Sunday, February 07, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I AGREE
Posted by: pcbuddy13 | Friday, March 27, 2009 at 04:54 AM
Can I get a response from everyone who agrees that california Should pay us intrest on are take refund, they would do that to us. So please post a comment that just says " I AGREE "
Posted by: Romaldo Espinoza | Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 12:57 AM
You know something this is messed up. Im Expecting a nice California Refund and because of you know who is in the office as govenor i dont think im gunna see it anytime soon. Im only 25 years old but one thing i can say is someone dosent know how to use QUICKBOOKS maybe i should send my 5 year old son over to Sac. Town and teach them. One thing that is funny is if we the people are for one minute 1 day late on a payment to california wither its for are car reg. we get a late charge. or if we are 2 mos. late on a childsupport payment all H*#% brakes lose. Why should the goverment be any differnt. And shouldent to state of California be reported to some agency for CURRANCEY ABUSE, and something that i was thinking of theres all these tax cuts and budget cut were is Mr.A putting this money! Hummmm
Posted by: Romaldo Espinoza | Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 12:53 AM
If you expect any type of refund decrease your tax withholding for 2009. It will get you the money now and allow you to collect interest on it instead of allowing the gov. to make money off your overpayment.
The gov. would hate for everyone to do this since they will lose billions in interest but they are forcing us to not count on them.
Most people will not be disiplined enough to not spend it once they have it so they use their refund as a savings account. When you think about it you are getting a negative return on this "savings" account/refund.
Posted by: Ed | Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 06:08 PM
I am so disappointed in Calif. supposed to be a "Great place to Live" WRONG! I was on temp. disability in december, I did not received my disability check long after I went back to work, and the people in the office was really Nasty & Rude; she was so nasty, I was afraid to call again to find out how things are going with my check, now all my bills are backed up; I went on a water fast for a week because I did not had enough food to eat(trying to make the situation positive) I notice that the State of California does not hesitate to deduct from your wages; state disability, and State Income Taxes, they take your money, but do not want to return what is rightfully yours, almost like a "Thief" only organized. Now my bills are backed up, I can't even get my little refund. I guess its time to go on another fast. This is so Phoney, I am almost ashamed to let people know that I live in Calif. only because of the pity we will get. I guess we have to watch our own back from now on, the State does not care about their citizens.
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 03:42 PM
do we get a new update everyday 30 days on the ftb site this is BS
Posted by: shanice love | Friday, March 06, 2009 at 09:48 AM
As I usually use my tax refund to pay the April installment of my property taxes, can I send an IOU instead of a check for my property taxes??? If I don't get my refund in time, I'm going to be charged interest and penalties on late payment of property taxes, if that happens I will be asking for a tax CREDIT from the state next year.
Posted by: JB | Wednesday, March 04, 2009 at 02:09 PM
I don't understand why some people are blaming the new administration for the California budget problems. After all, California has a Republican governor and these problems occurred during a Republican administration. People need to stop thinking about "me, me, me" and begin to think about taking positive action and contribute in ways to help others. If this country refuses to unite, we are all doomed.
Posted by: Laurie Riley | Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 03:32 PM
even though some people say that if you filed before feb 1st, you will get the refund on time, I haven't received it even though I filed my taxes on 1/22/09. God save us all.
Posted by: Vijay | Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 02:15 PM
My Husband lost his job dec 31st they closed the doors ... i was witing for iour refund to pay our bills now looks like we won't have that either ... can anything else possibly go wrong.
Posted by: Sedona | Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 07:58 AM
I will stop paying any California State taxes until I get my refund! I will also file for an extension for the Federal taxes.
I need my refund not an IOU. Pay taxpayers first than your little pork projects.
Posted by: Gary | Monday, March 02, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Opps.. Correction State Tax not Sales tax
Posted by: Srinath | Friday, February 20, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Now that Budget has been passed and signed by Governor of Ca this week. Can we hope for speedy returns on the Sales Tax ?
Posted by: Srinath | Friday, February 20, 2009 at 01:47 PM