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April 2019 Tax Season Filing Tips

Spring is nature's way of saying let's wrap up this tax party.

Tax tip pencilOK, that quote kicking off this final month of 2019 Tax Season Filing Tips is  paraphrased. The late great funny man Robin Williams didn't say anything about taxes.

But I know I'll feel like partying once the April tax-filing deadline has passed. That or sleeping for a week!

Maybe both: a quick party and then a long nap without any tax dreams.

The Internal Revenue Service also will be relieved. When April 15 (or 4/17 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts) rolls around, the federal tax collector will have the bulk of last year's tax returns in hand.

So making it through this filing season, the first in which we've dealt with major tax changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, definitely seems like it's worth some celebration by us taxpayers and Uncle Sam.

But before we pop the bubbly, we've got to get to and through these last two weeks of the main 2019 tax filing season.

Regardless of whether you'll finally submit your 2018 tax year Form 1040 or file for an extension in the coming days, these tips could help.

Since time is ticking away, noted by the countdown clock over in the ol' blog's righthand column, let's get to it!

  1. 5 tax moves to make this April — It's April, the final weeks of the annual high tax season. For those of us who haven't yet filed — yes, fellow tax procrastinators, I'm right there with all y'all — here are 5 tax moves you might want to make by April 15 (or 17). (April 1, 2019)
  2. Filing a tax return: Who must, who should — Most of us have to file a Form 1040 each year. Sometimes, though, you should file even if you're not legally required to do so. Here are 12 such reasons to send the Internal Revenue Service a Form 1040. (April 3, 2019)
  3. 10 tax audit triggers — The battle to see Donald Trump's tax returns is on, with 45 saying he's "not inclined" to release them, despite House Democrats' official request, until they are no longer under IRS audit. So why are Trump's taxes, as he says, always under IRS review? It could be because, again he says, he's wealthy. Making lots of money is one of the 10 tax audit red flags. (April 4, 2019)
  4. 10 tax tasks to take care of by April 15 — Filing a 1040 is the tax season biggie faced by most of us each April. But the mid-April deadline also applies to other tax matters. Here are 10 things that you might need to do by April 15. (April 9, 2019)
  5. Deductions that don't require itemizing — The new tax law made a lot of changes, including increased standard deductions that mean fewer filers will itemize. But it left in place many of the so-called above-the-line deductions. These write-offs now are found on the new Schedule 1 and can be used to help cut your tax bill without having to file Schedule A. (April 10, 2019)
  6. 10 common tax mistakes — Tax Day is almost here. If you're working on your 1040, make sure you don't make one (or more) of these common tax-filing mistakes. (April 11, 2019)
  7. How to get a tax-filing extension — Tax Day 2019 is just days away. If you can't get your 1040 filed by the April 15 (or 17) deadline, get an extension. Here's how. (April 12 2019)
  8. 13 tax tips for the final filing weekend — Knee (or more) deep in your taxes? You still have time this final filing weekend of the 2019 Tax Season. These baker's dozen tips can help you finish up (or extend) your taxes by April 15. (April 13, 2019)
  9. 5 tax tips for snail mail filers — Yes, some folks still snail mail their returns to the IRS. If you're one of them, these tips can help you meet the IRS and Post Office rules and get your 1040 in on time. (April 14, 2019)
  10. Severe weather tax delays — Some folks from East Texas and across the South are not thinking about taxes on this April 15. They are still digging out from deadly storms that rampaged across the area over the weekend. Some areas might be declared major disaster areas, providing extended time to file and a tax break. But just in case, filing an extension when you're dealing with dire circumstances is a good idea. (April 15, 2019)
  11. Tax Day 2019 final tips — It's finally here, Tax Day 2019! If you're done, good for you! Here are some ways to spend the rest of today, including taking advantage of some April 15 (and beyond) freebies and, also no cost, listening to me on the radio! If, however, you're still working on your 1040, here are final filing tips. (April 15, 2019)
  12. 5 states have Tax Day after April 15 — Five states don't follow the federal tax return filing schedule. That means Tax Day 2019 has yet to arrive there. (April 19, 2019)

But wait, there's more! As I mentioned, as soon as January wraps, you can check out February's (and March's and April's) Filing Season Tax Tips. When those months and tips arrive, the links below will become live.

January 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

February 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

March 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

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