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April 2022 Tax Tips

2022: The year where, once again, April 15 isn't Tax Day.

Tax tip pencil

Ah, April. The month of showers, spring-like weather, and Tax Day.

But not, at least tax-wise, in 2022.

As happened last year, the April 15 tax return filing and tax due paying deadline has been moved.  However, this year it's not because of the coronavirus pandemic.

2022's new Tax Day is is just a couple of days from the regular deadline. It's April 18 because of the plain old calendar and how the Internal Revenue Service deals with tax deadlines falling on weekends or federal holidays. The affected due dates get bumped to the next business day.

April 15 this year is on Friday, which also is the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C. Tax law says that when this mid-April commemoration of the freeing of slaves in the District of Columbia falls on Tax Day, the filing deadline gets moved to the next business day. So we set our tax sites on Monday, April 18.

In addition to more time to get our 1040 forms done (and 2021 tax year bills paid), we also get another couple of days to put money into and count it as 2021 contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs, health savings accounts (HSAs), Archer Medical Savings Accounts (Archer MSAs), and Coverdell education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs).

Unless we are taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts. April 18 is Patriots Day, a legal holiday in these two New England states. So those filers get until Tuesday, April 19, to complete their tax filing.

I know, it's one day into April and I'm already exhausted by tax technicalities.

The following tax tips, however, should help all of us get our taxes done by the slightly extended due date. So, once you're rested and ready, here goes!

  1. Don't fall for these 10 tax myths — The intrawebz and social media have made April Fools' Day even more sketchy, so be careful out there today! And on this April 1st or any day of the year, don't be fooled by these persistent tax myths. (April 1, 2022
  2. 5 April tax filing moves — Welcome to April, the month of spring showers, MLB baseball (finally!), and Tax Day. Yep, the Internal Revenue Service has us taxpayers back on a mid-April schedule after two seasons of COVID Tax Day delays. Here are some April Tax Moves to consider as this year's April 18 deadline nears. (April 4, 2022)
  3. Ways to pay your tax bill — If you owe taxes this filing season, the IRS offers plenty of ways to pay . Five are electronic. (April 5 2022)
  4. Some IRS TACs open Saturday, April 9 — If you need to talk with an Internal Revenue Service rep in person about a tax matter, 40 of the agency's Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) in 24 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will be open this Saturday, April 9. Find the one near you and just walk in, no appointment required. (April 7, 2022)
  5. Ways to pay a surprisingly large tax bill — You finished your tax return, but discovered you owe Uncle Sam much more than you expected. Worse, you don't have the cash to cover your total tax bill. What now? Here are some ways to deal with a tax balance that's just too darn big to pay in one fell swoop. (April 9, 2022)
  6. Picking the proper filing status — Most folks' filing status stays the same from tax year to tax year. But a change (or two, or more) in your personal situation could mean you need to revisit how you file your return. The Internal Revenue Service gives us 5 filing status choices. Pick the proper one. It could make a big difference in your tax bill. (April 10, 2022)



    Yes, it's tax time déjà vu.

    In this last week leading up to Tax Day 2022,
    some of the following tax tips are repeats
    of ones run in prior months.
    I'm just trying to make things a bit easier
    for all the frantic filers rushing to meet the April 18 deadline.

    For all y'all taxpayers who got your taxes done on time,
    smugness is allowed. Thanks, too, for your patience
    with those of us who are still, and will be
    for the next few months,
    working on our tax year 2021 Form 1040s.
     



  7. Tips for tax-filing newbies — Are your filing your first-ever tax return this year? Welcome to the 150-million-plus taxpaying club. These 8 tips for tax newbies could help make your initiation a bit easier.  (April 11, 2022)
  8. Maximizing itemized tax deductions — Most taxpayers claim the standard deduction when they file their tax returns. In some cases, though, itemizing makes for more tax savings. Here's how to maximize the expenses you can claim on Schedule A. (April 12, 2022)
  9. Time running out to claim 2018 tax year refunds — If you didn't file a tax year 2018 return three years ago and missed out on a refund back then, you've got until this approaching April 18 Tax Day to get that old paperwork to the Internal Revenue Service. If you miss the deadline, Uncle Sam gets to keep your money. Also, check out how much unclaimed, potentially forfeited refund money is available in your state. (April 12, 2022)
  10. Estimated tax deadline also April 18 — Don't forget about estimated taxes if you make money that isn't subject to withholding. The first 1040-ES payment for the 2022 tax year also is due on Tax Day, Monday, April 18. (April 13, 2022)
  11. 25 tax deductions without itemizing — Most taxpayers don't itemize, especially since tax law changes back in 2017 created much larger standard deduction amounts. But standard deduction filers, and itemizers, too, can claim some write-offs directly on Form 1040's Schedule 1. There are 25 possibilities, still referred to as above-the-line deductions, and they include popular write-offs such as educators' out-of-pocket expenses, contributions to IRAs, and a variety of self-employed breaks. (April 14, 2022)
  12. 10 last-minute tax filing tips — Are you still working on, or about to start, your 2021 tax return? Here are 10 last-minute tax filing tips that could help you complete the job by Tax Day on April 18. (April 14, 2022)
  13. Form 4868 will get you more time to file — The April 18 tax filing deadline is just days away, but you need much more time than that to finish filling in your return. No worries. Instead, file Form 4868 to get six more months to finish your taxes. Just be sure to pay any tax you owe when you get your extension so that you won't face added penalties and interest charges. (April 15, 2022)
  14. FBAR filing deadline also is April 18 — If you've gone financially global by adding international assets to your holdings, a key deadline is nearly here. You must file Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR, by Tax Day, which this year is April 18. Here are some FAQ about these filings. (April 16, 2022)
  15. Extra day for NE taxpayers — If you live in Maine or Massachusetts, you get 24 more hours to file your 2021 tax return. While Tax Day this year is Monday, April 18, because of the Emancipation Day holiday, as noted in the intro to April's tax tips, it's also Patriots Day in those two New England (yes, NE stands for that, although northeast works, too) states. So those filers get until Tuesday, April 19, to file their returns. (April 16, 2022) 
  16. Disasters delay Tax Day for filers in 5 states & Puerto Rico — Most U.S. taxpayers (except those noted New Englanders in #13) must meet tomorrow's April 18 tax filing (and paying) deadline. However, some in 5 states and Puerto Rico have even longer. May 16 is the due date for some of the states' filers; June 15 is Tax Day for those living in the U.S. island territory. Jealous? Don't be. These taxpayers get more time because they live in areas hit by major disasters. (April 17, 2022)
  17. Don't forget your state taxes — If you have to file a federal tax return, you probably have to file a state one, too. Most states follow the Internal Revenue Service lead in asking their residents to submit returns electronically. Most also offer free online state tax filing options. (April 17, 2022)
  18. 7 tips to get you through Tax Day 2022 — Tax Day 2022 is here. If you're ready to finish up your tax return filing, great. If you're not, here are some tips that could help. You'll also find some tax moves you might want to consider regardless of where you are on the filing spectrum this April 18th. (April 18, 2022)
  19. Didn't file on April 18? Do this now! — So you missed Tax Day. It happens. Don't panic. But don't dawdle. Here are some post-filing tax moves to make as soon as possible. They will limit any penalty and interest charges that started accruing at 12:01 a.m. April 19. And if you didn't legally have to file, check out #5 for a good reason to do so as soon as possible anyway. (April 20, 2022)
  20. Form 1040-X can help fix tax filing mistakes — No one wants to file more than one tax return, but sometimes mistakes on a 1040 mean a re-do is required. Your amended return is filed on Form 1040-X. Here are 7 tips to make that additional filing easier. (April 25, 2022)
  21. 5 post-filing tax tasks to take care of now — You sent the IRS your 1040 so you're done with taxes for this year, right? Not quite. Here are five other post-filing tax tasks you might want to make before you close the 2022 filing season book. (April 27, 2022)

*****April flower GIF_246490-April*****

Looking for some more tax tips? Then click on the links below to see what was featured that month. One warning, though, in the months yet to come, which right now is May through December, you won't find any tips.

Instead, you'll be greeted by an animated nay-saying fellow making good use of one of my favorite Texas sayings. Tax info will replace that fun and folksy GIF as the months arrive.

January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December

 

 

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Today's Tax Tip

  • IRS paying billions in late refund interest — If you're waiting for your IRS refund, there's not much that can help ease your frustration. But if Uncle Sam takes more than 45 days, you could at least get a bit of interest added to your delayed tax cash. So far, the agency has paid $3.3 billion in such interest amounts. And the amount could grow, since on July 1 the quarterly adjustment to the interest rate goes up a percentage point. (May 20, 2022)

  • Tax Tip; click pencil for all tax tip links

  • The 2022 Tax Tips offer ways to file your annual return, along with post-filing advice, important tax news and, of course, ways to cut your current tax year bill. You'll find the monthly assemblages on their own respective pages: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Remember, tax tasks and tips don't stop after you file your annual return!

COVID-19 & Taxes

  • COVID-19
    Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
    on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
    These three Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
    March-July 2020,
    August-December 2020,
    January-December 2021, and
    January-… 2022
    You can find medical coronavirus resource links further down this column.

All About Kay

  • OK, some about Kay
    Open sign
    Kay Bell — Native Texan (the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.

My Other Accounts

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Tick ... Tick ... Tick

  • Tax Season 2022 continues!

    Tax Day 2022 is finally over … unless you're one of the millions who have more time to file — looking at you taxpayers abroad and those in major disaster areas — or you got an extension to file your 2021 tax year return. That's fine. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service appreciates some of us spreading out our filings, especially when we and the agency still are dealing with all the complications of COVID-19 and taxes.

    That's why the ol' blog's focus now is on all y'all still working on returns. But I haven't forgotten my organized taxpayer readers, who are already looking for ways to reduce their 2022 tax year bills. Yep, that amount is adding up, but there are moves you can make. The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column can help everyone, regardless of which tax year you're working on.

    Those on extension should keep a keen eye on the countdown clock below. It will help you track the days tick, tick, ticking off toward that absolutely final fall filing due date of Oct. 17. Yep, it's a few days later this year.
    Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.


Time for Tax Tasks


  • monthly tax moves


  • May has arrived!
    That exclamation mark is sincere and deserved. You've got to love a month that starts with a celebration.

    May Pole Dance via GIPHY


    After the May Day dances are done, the commemorative days just keep coming. There are well-known ones, like Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day, as well as some more obscure ones, like Visit Your Relatives Day, National Smile Day, and my favorite, Eat What You Want Day.

    But even with all these (and more!) celebrations, there's still time to make some money-saving May tax moves. Let's get to it!

    May 1: While May Day isn't a big holiday in the United States, globally the first day of May is a time for celebrating workers' contributions. But that can apply here, too, in connection with some employment-related tax tasks. If you got a big refund or owed more tax than you expected when you filed (or got an extension) last month, today's the perfect time to do paycheck check-up to determine how you should adjust your withholding.

    May 5: ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

    Feliz Cinco de Mayo

    Fiestas are back this year, as more of us have been taken advantage of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Still, be careful out there celebrating this Mexican holiday (and no, it's NOT Mexican Independence Day) that tends to spur more festivities here north of the border. Party responsibly, both when it come to the lingering pandemic and imbibing your favorite adult beverage, likely a margarita, which included the cost of state and federal alcohol taxes. Your state tax collector also will raise a glass to your fiscal contribution, since during the pandemic, sin taxes were a revenue bright spot for many states.

    May 8: Happy Mother's Day!

    Happy Mother's Day

    If you're just this year making up for pandemic paused family visits, give your mom a longer hug on her special day. Love, flowers, and the best of health and happiness to every mother, from the new ones just discovering the joys, tax and otherwise, of new parenthood to those gracefully maneuvering their Golden Years while getting some tax-advantaged help from their families.

    May 10: Eateries are still recovering from the challenges of operating during a national health crisis. Restaurants closed, then opened, then closed again. Others relied on and have stuck with take-out and deliveries. Whether you're dining in or still getting food brought to your house, remember to tip your server or delivery person.

    restaurant check tip iStock
    If a tip isn't included in your food delivery charge, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.

    As for servers who now are back on the job, remember that your tips are taxable income. If you worked at least some of March at a job where you got gratuities, you need to account for them today if they came to at least $20 last month. Use Form 4070 to report your tips today to your employer.

    May 16: Before the seasonal shift into summer, take care of spring tax cleaning. Give away clothing and household goods you no longer use. Your philanthropy could provide you a charitable tax deduction.

    May 23: Kick spring cleaning up a notch. Go beyond housekeeping and house clearing and make those home repairs you've been putting off. Many home improvements, including landscaping, could pay off in by increasing your home's basis, which means your profit for tax purposes will be smaller and stay under the amount that's tax-free when you eventually sell your home.

    May 27: If you're heading out early for the long Memorial Day weekend that traditionally kicks off summer, be sure to plan for added costs, like the price of getting to your holiday destination. Most of us will hit the highways, so even though gasoline prices have come down a bit, they still will take a bite of our travel budgets. Sorry, it's not enough to get Congress to create a federal gas tax holiday. And if you're renting your home to incoming tourists, be sure to pay the state and/or local taxes added to short-term home rentals.

    May 30: As you honor military personnel this Memorial Day who made the ultimate sacrifice, don't forget about their families. There are some tax considerations offered survivors of lost soldiers, sailors, and air crew.

    Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.

State Tax Help

  • Don't forget your state taxes!
    Forty-three states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the seven states without an income levy, you still face other state (and local) taxes.

    State Tax Departments provides links to your state's Web page. The companion page, Tax Tidbits, is the compilation of blurbs about each state's tax laws. And for more state tax news, check out all our state tax bloggings.

Tax Forms

  • Tax Forms
    Thanks to our increased use of tax preparers and computer software, many of us don't see our tax forms until we sign and file them. But knowing what's on these documents, either in paper or digital form, and why the IRS wants it is key to understanding our tax system. And knowledge definitely is power, especially when it comes to tax savings. Find this valuable information in the ol' blog's special Talking Tax Forms page.

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    I am not a professional tax preparer.
    The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies and regulations. It is provided for your private, noncommercial, educational and informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of products or services are not endorsements. In other words, my ramblings on the ol' blog are free advice and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it comes to filing your taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent or other qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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  • DMWT Politics Posts
  • While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — our tax laws on Congress and the White House. So if you have an issue with tax legislation or want a tax bill passed, you need to let your federal legislators and the White House occupant know of your concerns. You can find out who in Washington, D.C., to contact (and how), as well as get information on your local lawmakers for matters, tax or otherwise, closer to home, at USA Gov.

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