April is here, featuring Tax Day on April 15. But there’s plenty more tax advice to take (or at least consider) during this first full month of spring.
April, we love you. Your arrival each spring brings us welcome warmer weather, showers for thirsty flowers, and the annual federal Tax Day.
Okay, maybe we don’t love April 15 so much. But the tax filing deadline obviously is important. It’s also the due date for more than just submitting Form 1040.
That’s why in the April tax tips below, especially in those through mid-month, you’ll find advice on how to file a correct tax return with all the tax breaks you can legitimately claim.
But there’s lots more tax-related tasks to take care of this month. Those that appear after April 15 will help you get a head start on reducing your already accruing 2026 tax bill.
So, since the tax calendar is relentlessly marching toward April 15, let’s not waste any more time. Here are April’s tips.
- April 1 is RMD deadline for some retirees. No kidding. — Did you delay your very first required minimum distribution (RMD) last year? Well, time is up. Today, April 1, is the mandated withdrawal deadline, and the Internal Revenue Service isn’t fooling around. If you miss your postponed April 1 withdrawal, it will cost you. (March 30, 2026)
- 6 no-fooling tax moves to make in April — Welcome April! We love you for bringing us warmer days, spring showers, baseball, and Tax Day. OK, maybe we don’t really enthusiastically embrace Tax Day, but we must deal with April 15. Here are tips on coping with that deadline, as well as five other tax moves to make this month. (April 1, 2026)
- DHS employees get new May 15 tax filing deadline — There’s good news for federal workers dealing with the longest-ever government shutdown. A Capitol Hill deal to re-open offices appears imminent, meaning paychecks should soon be back on schedule. And the IRS has granted affected federal workers 30 more days, until May 15, to file their 2025 tax year returns. (April 2, 2026)
- Be aware of (and beware!) these 11 tax audit red flags — Nobody wants to deal with the Internal Revenue Service beyond Tax Day. That’s why you shouldn’t invite extra IRS interest in your tax return by waving any of these audit red flags. (April 6, 2026)
- 10 tax tasks that have an April 15 deadline — The key April 15 tax responsibilities are filing your return and paying any due tax. But there are some other tax tasks and potentially money-saving moves that also have the Tax Day deadline. (April 8, 2026)
- How to get more time to file your tax return…and pay what you owe — The Internal Revenue Service’s answer to taxpayers seeking a filing extension is an automatic “yes.” But note, the tax collector’s OK only allows you more time — until Oct. 15 — to file your Form 1040. You still must pay any tax you owe, or as much as you can, by April 15 when you submit Form 4868. Here’s how to do both. (April 9, 2026)
- IRS payment plans are available if you can’t pay your tax bill in full — Do you owe the Internal Revenue Service, but don’t have the money to cover your full bill? One of the various installment payment plans offered by Uncle Sam’s tax collector could be the answer. Really! (April 10, 2026
- Beware tax scams that are popping up as April 15 nears — As Tax Day nears, scammers are in high gear. Crooks are using fake tax-related email, texts, and phone calls to try to steal your tax and financial data. Stay vigilant to protect your tax refund and identity. (April 11, 2026)
- 6 ways to electronically pay your tax bill — If you owe taxes, paying Uncle Sam electronically is a fast and easy way to go. Most who e-pay the Internal Revenue Service do so via credit or debit card. But there are other electronic ways to pay your tax bill. Here are six options. (April 13, 2026)
- 5 last-minute tax-filing tips — Time is running out for last-minute tax filers. The filing (and paying) deadline countdown is literally into its final hours. These five tips can help you finish your Form 1040, or get an extension, on April 15. (April 14, 2026)
- Tax Day’s costs, in time to file your return and complete other April 15 tax tasks — It’s crunch day for millions of taxpayers. In addition to finishing their current tax return, many have other April 15 tax tasks to complete. It all adds up in dollars and time spent. (April 15, 2026)
- June 15, not April’s usual deadline, is Tax Day for some — U.S. service members posted abroad, as well as civilian taxpayers living and working overseas, didn’t have to rush to file their tax returns this week. Their Tax Day is automatically delayed until June 15. Other filers who live in places deemed major disaster areas also generally get more time to file. (April 16, 2026)
- Early tax holiday season in Missouri and Texas — Summer is the main tax holiday season, but Missouri and Texas are offering special early sales tax savings to their shoppers. Exemptions for Energy Star and emergency prep items are on the lists. (April 20, 2026)
- What tax records to keep and for how long — Now that filing is done (except for taxpayers on extension) and you’ve had more than a week to recover, it’s time to take care of your tax records. You need to hang onto some filing paperwork. Here’s a look at what tax documents to keep and for how long, just in case the IRS has follow-up questions. (April 22, 2026)
- New online IRS tax debt tool helps taxpayers find the best way pay — When you owe taxes but can’t pay your bill in full, the Internal Revenue Service offers a variety of debt settlement options. Now, the agency has a new online Tax Debt Help tool to help you determine which of its payment options works best for you. (April 24, 2026)
- IRS sets larger 2026 tax allowances for expensive housing abroad — If you move overseas for a job, you’ll still owe U.S. taxes. But you could qualify for some tax breaks on that income you earn abroad, including for your residential costs. In fact, when expatriates work in one of the world’s more expensive real estate markets, the IRS also them a larger housing tax break. Here’s the updated housing expenses list for 2026. (April 28, 2026)
- A Trump IRA could help workers without workplace retirement plans — Saving now can make for a better retirement later, and today the Trump administration provided more information on a new way to do that. The Trump IRA website will be online by Jan. 1, 2027, to help workers without a workplace 401(k) plans invest in a similar option on their own. (April 30, 2026)
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I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But right now we’re just starting the second quarter of the tax year.
But rest assured that once we make it through April, the subsequent monthly tax tip pages will start filling up with timely tax tips, too.
For now, you can check out the January, February, and March tips by clicking on those links below.
And yes, you also can click on all the rest of 2026’s monthly tax tip page links. Those pages are live, in the sense that like they will open instead of going to my 404 page. But instead of highlighting tax tips, you’ll find an enthusiastic man telling you to whoa up!
So, try to temper your tax tip enthusiasm a tad. Time flies when you’re having tax fun, so those remaining 2026 pages will soon be here, full of tax-saving suggestions. Until then, I appreciate your wanting more tax tips, and your patience on waiting for them to be posted.
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