Jan. 1: Once more for the official monthly tax moves — Happy New Year! Some people are champing at the bit to get their taxes filed, mainly because they are expecting an Internal Revenue Service refund. But remember, you need to get all your tax documentation before you can accurately complete your Form 1040. And even if you send the form(s) early, the IRS won’t start processing them until later this month. So, take a deep breath. We’ve a ways to go yet.
Jan. 6: It's the first official work week of 2025, with folks who took long holiday breaks finally returning to the office. Once you get settled at your desk, you might want to take some time for a couple of tax-related tasks that could pay off, this year and after you’re done with the 9-to-5.
First, check your paycheck withholding and, if necessary, adjust it. That might be necessary if you’ve experienced a major life change.
Second, if your workplace has a 401(k) plan and you’re not using it, sign up as soon as possible. Then contribute as much as you can. This will give your retirement account more time to grow tax-deferred if it’s a traditional 401(k) or tax-free if it is a Roth version.
Jan. 10: Is your adjusted gross income (AGI) $84,000 or less, regardless of your filing status? Then you qualify to use Free File, which became available today. 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. That will be available on Jan. 27 when the full 2025 tax season kicks off and the IRS starts processing all returns that were filed before then and that have been in a holding pattern.
Jan. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers 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 December 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.
Jan. 15: Today is the due date for the final estimated tax tax payment for the 2024 tax year. This payment covers the earnings you got last October, November, and December that weren’t subject to withholding. You can pay your estimated amount electronically, or mail your check payment and voucher 1040-ES to the IRS in an envelope postmarked today.
Jan. 20: Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Every year on this federal holiday, millions of people commit to a day of service.
Click image to find out ways
you can volunteer on MLK Day. Taking time on the Rev. Dr. King's holiday to volunteer at a nonprofit isn't tax deductible, but some costs associated with volunteering could help reduce your tax bill if you itemize.
Jan. 20: Tonight also is title time. The 2025 NCAA College Football champion will be crowned this evening in Atlanta. It’s taken a while to get here. The championship playoff bowl games system was extended, with qualifying matchups starting on Dec. 21, 2024. It's been a fun run for college football fans and for those who bet on the games thanks to the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that allowed states to accept legal sports wagers, including on college competitions. If you're one of those gamblers and your game picks pay off, remember that you'll owe taxes on your winnings when you file your 2025 return next year.
Jan. 27: Tax Season 2025 officially starts. That includes processing of tax returns filed earlier, whether via commercial software, tax preparers, IRS Free File, or IRS Direct File, the IRS’ own free online tax prep and e-filing program. In addition to more than double the Direct File participating states from last year, the IRS operated site will offer more options that apply to more taxpayers’ situations.
Jan. 31: Wow! The first month of 2025 is over? So soon? Time really does fly when you're having tax fun. We'll keep it going here in this new year with new Tax Moves to Make each month, which you also can find on their monthly tax tips pages. January’s tips page is already is filling up!
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.
Thanks, Jeff, for your very good response to Janet! Always appreciate the help!
Posted by: Kay @ Don't Mess With Taxes | Friday, November 06, 2009 at 02:33 PM
You count backwards 8 years from the date of the purchase of the new home. In 5 consecutive years during that span, you had to own a "principal residence" in which you spent the majority of your time.
So if I buy a new home on February 1, 2010, to be eligible for the credit, I must have had a "principal residence" on any 5 consecutive of these years:
- February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2003;
- February 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004;
- February 1, 2004 through January 31, 2005;
- and so on through Feb. 1, 2008 thru Jan. 31, 2010.
Posted by: Jeff Jacobs | Friday, November 06, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Janet,
I've looked at the legislation and it's not specific. The IRS is going to have to issue some guidance here. I suspect, however, that it's going to be a date-to-date counting, not lived in a house during part of five consecutive tax years. If it isn't precise, someone could have lived in a home from Dec. 1, 2006 to Jan. 30, 2010 and argue they were in the house for five tax years. I'll keep searching and checking and get back to you (and/or blog it) as soon as I find an exact answer.
Kay
Posted by: Kay @ Don't Mess With Taxes | Friday, November 06, 2009 at 12:42 AM
What does "lived in home for 5 Consecutive Years" mean? I purchased home march 2006. If I sell in march 2010, am I eligible? Do you count 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 if Lived in house during those calendar years? That would be 5 years. Or is it being counted living march 2006 - march 2007, march 2007 - march 2008, march 2008 - march 2009, march 2009 - march 2010, which it would be counted as 4 years? Is it that vague to be interpreted in any of these ways? Can anyone tell me 100% which one it is?
Posted by: Janet Sieham | Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 10:23 PM