April is here, and Tax Day 2024 finally is once again on April 15.
April is here, bringing us showers, spring-like weather, and the annual Tax Day.
This year, the due date for our tax returns finally is, for most of us, April 15.
It was postponed in 2023 and 2022 because of calendar/holiday convergences. Before that, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with myriad tax due dates.
Now, things have cleared up, except in New England. Maine and Massachusetts officially celebrate Patriots' Day, which commemorates the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord. That state holiday on the third Monday in April falls this year on April 15.
Normally, Pine Tree and Bay State taxpayers would file their federal (and state) returns the next business day. But April 16 is the Emancipation Day holiday in our national capital, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia on April 16, 1862.
When Emancipation Day falls on a day that federal taxes are due, it bumps Tax Day to the next business day. So this year, Maine and Massachusetts filers have until April 17 to file their 1040 forms with the Internal Revenue Service.
But other than that calendar quirk, things are pretty much back to normal this tax season.
And since the tax deadline clock (and the one in the ol' blog's right column) is ticking down to April 15, let's not waste any more time. Here are April's tips to help you meet whatever is your Tax Day, and hopefully pay Uncle Sam as little as possible.
- April 1 is RMD deadline for some. No fooling. — Did you delay your very first required minimum distribution (RMD) last year? Well, time is up to make that withdrawal. The postponed April 1 RMD due date is today. That means you must take out the requisite 2023 amount from your tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles by April 1. No fooling. (April 1, 2024)
- 6 tax moves to make this April — Welcome April! We love you for bringing us longer days, gentle spring showers, baseball, and Tax Day. OK, maybe we don't love Tax Day, but we must deal with April 15. Here are six tax moves to make this month that could make doing so a bit easier. (April 2, 2024)
- April 15 is not Tax Day for everyone — Tax Day is fast approaching, but it's not April 15 everywhere. Taxpayers abroad, including military personnel posted outside the United States or Puerto Rico, get more time to file. So do people in major disaster areas, including two more declarations added this month. And a couple of holidays push Tax Day back a bit in two New England states. (April 4, 2024)
- Don't make these 10 common tax mistakes — To err is human. To err when doing your taxes also is all too common, especially when you're rushing to meet the Tax Day filing (and paying) deadline. Here are 10 tax errors to watch out for and avoid. (April 6, 2024)
- IRS' 2024 Dirty Dozen tax scams list, Part 1 — Perennial tax schemes, some tweaked ones, and a few new scams, make the 2024 version of the IRS Dirty Dozen. And these featured in this post are just the first six of the 12 despicable cons the IRS calls out in 2024. The final 7 through 12 on the annual infamy list will be posted later this week. (April 8, 2024)
- 10 often overlooked tax breaks — Are you still searching for tax write-offs as Tax Day April 15 nears? Here are 10 tax deductions and credits, including some that don't require itemizing, that too many taxpayers overlook every filing season. That oversight costs them valuable tax savings. Don't be one of them. Check out these often ignored tax breaks and claim all for you qualify. (April 9, 2024)
- Don't wave these audit red flags — The chances of getting audited remain relatively low. That's why you don't want to invite Internal Revenue Service interest in your tax filing by taking tax actions, like waving these 10 tax return red flags, that are sure to catch an IRS examiner's eye. (April 10, 2024)
- 70 IRS TACs in 37 states are open Saturday, April 13 — If you need to talk face-to-face with an Internal Revenue Service representative about a non-filing tax matter, the IRS is ready for you on Saturday, April 13. Seventy Taxpayer Assistance Center (TACs) will be open nationwide and in Puerto Rico that day, with walk-ins welcome, no appointment needed. But note that these special Saturday openings just before April 15 Tax Day don't mean you can get help finishing and filing your 2023 tax return. TACs don't provide this service. (April 11, 2024)
- April 15 is Estimated Tax Day, too — Tax Day 2024 is almost here, and it will be double tax duty for a lot of taxpayers. In addition to Monday, April 15, being the deadline to file 2023 returns and pay any due tax, many people also will make their first estimated tax payment for 2024. Here's more on this added tax paying process. (April 11, 2024)
- IRS' 2024 Dirty Dozen tax scams list, Part 2 — Ghost tax preparers, global tax schemes, and wealthy filers wrap up the 2024 IRS Dirty Dozen list. Many of these final 7 through 12 schemes are repeat offenders because unfortunately they're still ensnaring victims. Don't become one this year (or ever!). (April 12, 2024)
- Tax filing tips for the last weekend before Tax Day — This last weekend before Tax Day 2024 doesn't have to be a lost filing weekend. Here are some tax tips to help, regardless of whether you're just starting your Form 1040, are putting on the polishing touches, or getting the IRS' official OK for more time to file your 2023 tax return. (April 13, 2024)
- Form 4868 gets you a six-month extension — Reality has hit. You just can't finish your tax return by Tax Day, April 15. Don't panic. Do file Form 4868, which will get you six more months to finish your 1040. Note, however, that you don't get an extension to pay any tax you owe. (April 14, 2024)
- Most states also offer free online tax filing and paying options — If you have to file a federal tax return, you probably have to file a state one, too. Most states follow the IRS lead, both in setting their Tax Day on April 15 and in asking (or requiring) their residents to submit returns electronically. Most states also offer online tax filing and payment options, usually for free. (April 15, 2024)
- 4 moves to make now if you missed Tax Day — You missed Tax Day. It happens. Don't panic. But don't dawdle. Here are 4 tax moves to make as soon as possible. They will limit any penalty and interest charges that started accruing today, April 16. (April 16, 2024)
- 6 ways to use your tax refund — Still trying to decide what to do with your federal tax refund that you got or are awaiting? Here are six suggestions. (April 17, 2024)
- Tax record keeping tips — Now that you've finished filing your tax return, it's time to deal with all the material that helped you fill out your 1040. Here's the documentation you need to keep and for how long. (April 18, 2024)
- Why is my tax refund less than I expected? Debt offsets — Getting a tax refund usually is welcomed by most taxpayers, except when the amount is less than they expected. Why did the Internal Revenue Service short you? If you owed another federal or state debt, then the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, rather than the IRS, that took your tax money as a refund offset. (April 24, 2024)
- Time to get your withholding just right — With your 2023 tax filing fresh in your mind, especially the amount you owed or got as a refund, now is a good time to adjust your withholding. With more than half a year left, any changes to your remaining 2024 paychecks — either more or less take-home pay — won't be so noticeable. The Internal Revenue Service’s online Tax Withholding Estimator can help you make sure you get the amount taken from your pay just right. (April 24, 2024)
- 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 26, 2024)
- IRS unveils draft form for future digital asset transaction reporting — The IRS continues its efforts to get info and collect tax on digital transactions. The latest step is a new third-party reporting document, Form 1099-DA, which was unveiled just after this year’s Tax Day. (April 30, 2024)
Yes, you can click on May through December links below, too, but you'll just be greeted (again) by that nay-saying guy's GIF, instead of helpful Internal Revenue Service and tax code tips.
But the year's earlier months' listing of tax tips are live. You can check out those pieces of tax advice if you're still working on your 2023 tax return.
Don't worry. The new months and tax tips will be here before you know it, and especially for those of us who decide to put off filing our 1040s a bit longer by getting an extension.
January | July |
February | August |
March | September |
April | October |
May | November |
June | December |
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