February 2025 Tax Tips

February is for tax lovers.
OK, more like just be done with tax filing lovers.

February is the shortest month of the year, but it's full of holidays, official and otherwise.

Every one of February's 28 days is dedicated to Black History, recognizing and celebrating the many important accomplishments of African Americans to our country.

In the one-off category, there are Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day and Washington's Birthday and Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday and Chinese New Year. The list goes on and on.

Then there are the unofficial special days, like Sunday, Feb. 9.

That's when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off in Super Bowl LIX to decide the NFL championship. This biggest single sporting event in the United States also is major gambling day worldwide.

U.S. bettors who win on Super Bowl Sunday take note. You'll have some tax reporting, and paying, next year.

Time for tax attention: Taxes also occupy a big part of this short month. February is the second month of the year, but it is first for most taxpayers who now are finally focusing on their annual tax return filing.

There's good reason for that. February is when most of the third-party reporting tax statements — W-2 and various 1099 forms, along with assorted other financial documents — that we need to complete our tax returns finally arrive, albeit a bit later than the Jan. 31 mandated distribution date.

But with that info now in hand, it's time to complete your taxes and get the Internal Revenue Service working on issuing your refund.

And about those refunds. Some early filers who got their 1040s to the IRS when tax season 2025 opened on Jan. 27 should get their tax money this month.

Filing and refunds are just two tax matters that drive the ol' blog's February tax tips. Other pieces of tax advice this month will offer ways to help you get an early start on reducing your already accruing 2024 tax bill.

And, of course, look for some fun tax connections to many of the month's holidays.

As always, the tax tips will be highlighted in the upper right corner of the ol' blog. After their time in that spotlight, the February featured tips then will be permanently ensconced on this page.

Since we only have 28 days, let's get start spreading some of this February's fabulous tax love!

Filing an amended return sometimes pays off — The Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day" is a classic. Most of us have watched it, true to the film's conceit, over and over and over. Sometimes a tax re-do also is warranted. Here are 8 tips if you find you need to file an amended tax return using Form 1040-X. (Feb. 2, 2025)
Feb. 3 is deadline for disaster area 2023 extended returns — A rampaging Mother Nature late in 2024 pushed some tax deadlines for 2023 filings into this year. That's the case for taxpayers who got an extension to file their 2023 returns by Oct. 15, 2024. But before they could, they were blasted by major disasters. So Feb. 3, 2025, is Tax Day for those extended taxpayers in 14 states and 2 U.S. territories. The Feb. 3, 2025, new deadline applies to extension filers in all of Louisiana and Vermont, as well as all of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also is the deadline for affected taxpayers in parts of Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington state. (Feb. 2, 2025)
3 tax moves to make this February — In February, our thoughts turn to taxes. I know, since this month is the home to St. Valentine's Day, you were expecting love instead of the opposite emotion most of us have when thinking about 1040 forms. But February is a big tax month, in part because it's the first full one of the annual filing season. Here are three tax moves to consider during this shortest, but still important, tax month. (Feb. 3, 2025)
24 tax deductions that don't require itemizing — Looking for more tax breaks? There are 24 possible write-offs found on Form 1040's Schedule 1. Officially known as adjustments to income, these still nicknamed above-the-line deductions can help all filers, whether you take the standard deduction or itemize on Schedule A. (Feb. 4, 2025)
VITA and TCE volunteers provide free tax help — If you want more than tax software, but can't afford to hire a tax professional, check out Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. IRS-trained volunteers at these sites nationwide can help eligible taxpayers prepare and e-file their returns for free. (Feb. 5, 2025)
7 tips for first-time tax return filers — Filing your first-ever tax return this year? Welcome to the taxpaying club. I know it’s an organization you really didn’t want to join, but these 7 tips for tax-filing newbies could help make your tax filing initiation a bit easier. (Feb. 6, 2025)
Winning Super Bowl bets are taxable income — Have you placed your Super Bowl LIX bets yet? Millions have, including on goofy, non-football related prop wagers, like the many related to Taylor Swift and her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce. If you’re wagering, good luck. But remember that all gambling payouts are taxable income, meaning you must report the amounts to the Internal Revenue Service. (Feb. 7, 2025)
Ways to e-pay your taxes — 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. (Feb. 10, 2025)
Open a bank account so IRS can direct deposit your tax refund — You'll get your federal tax refund much sooner if you have the Internal Revenue Service directly deposit it into a bank account. If you don't have a savings or checking account with a bank or other financial institution because associated fees and other requirements are a problem, there are some lower-cost options. Check them out, open an account before you file your taxes, and reduce the wait for your tax cash. (Feb. 12, 2025)
Go online to avoid IRS phone delays — There’s one way to avoid the hated Internal Revenue Service hold music when you call for tax help. Don’t use the telephone hotline. Instead, take advantage of the many online resources at IRS.gov. (Feb. 14, 2025)
Did you get your correct 1099-K forms? — If you were successful last year selling products or services through apps and marketplaces, you probably got one or more 1099-K forms. This third-party reporting statement tells you and the Internal Revenue Service how much you made in 2024 — if it was more than $5,000. Remember, however, that even if you made less, any amount is taxable income and tax law says you must report it, too. (Feb. 15, 2025)
IRS could fire 15,000 employees this coming week — In mid-February, it was reported that as many as 15,000 probationary Internal Revenue Service employees soon could be let go. While essential personnel will remain on the job, there's concern that the firings still might affect tax return processing. Then just a week later, the IRS layoffs happened, but fewer than what might have been. The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency axed 6,700 employees during height of tax-filing season. (original post Feb. 16, 2025; updated Feb. 24, 2025)
Most states also offer free online tax filing 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. While most individual tax software programs allow you to consolidate the process. But if for some reason you need to file your state taxes separately, most states offer online tax filing (and payment) options, also usually for free. (Feb. 19 2025)
10 tips to help handle a tax notice — Getting a letter from the Internal Revenue Service always is a bit distressing. But it doesn’t have to be a major disaster. If a tax notice or any other official IRS correspondence shows up in your mail box, don't panic. In many cases, the issues that prompted the missive can be quickly resolved. These 10 tips can help you deal efficiently and effectively with the IRS’ questions. (Feb. 21, 2025)
Where’s your federal tax refund? — You filed your federal tax return back on Jan. 27 when the filing season opened. Now you’re wondering where the heck is your refund? Use the Internal Revenue Service’s online, and aptly named, tax refund tracking tool “Where’s My Refund?” to get the answer to this annual query asked by millions. (Feb. 24, 2025)
Why to file a return even if you don’t have to — Nobody likes filing a tax return, so why should someone who isn't legally required to file go ahead and send the IRS a Form 1040? The biggest reason is because filing might get you a tax refund. If that's not enough, check out the other situations where filing, even if you don't have to, can pay off. (Feb. 26, 2025)
Don't fall victim to any of this year's Dirty Dozen tax scams — Every filing season, crooks and con artists do their best (worst?) to snare taxpayers in tax-related scams and schemes. And every year the Internal Revenue Service alerts us to the 12 that make its Dirty Dozen tax scam list. Here are the ones — some old, a few new, and all potentially very costly — to be on the lookout for in 2025. (Feb. 27, 2025)

*****

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that made it all the way to the end of this page. You must really want more tax tips!

But right now, only the January page, linked below, is full of tax filing, saving, and other information. If you click on the March through December links, you'll find an enthusiastic fellow letting you know that we're not there yet, either on the calendar or as far as taxes.

But, as noted, February is just 28 days long, so we'll be at March and beyond soon. Until then, stick with the ol' blog as the tips here and other posts provide help in filing your 2024 tax return and cutting your already accruing 2025 tax bill.

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

Today's Tax Tip

7 post-Tax Day tasks to consider — Tax Day 2025 is finally over for most of the country’s individual tax return filers. Now what? Here are seven relatively easy post-April 15 tasks you should consider. (April 17, 2025)
The 2025 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!

All About Kay

OK, some about Kay

Kay Bell — Native Texan
(the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.
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Tax Year 2025 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 27, the IRS said it expected more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed by April 15. When the month started, the agency was around 39 million short of that number. While many taxpayers no doubt got their 1040s in by Tax Day, million every year get an extension to file. That's fine.

In fact, the Internal Revenue Service appreciates some of us spreading out our tax submissions. It gives the agency time to process the surge of returns that arrive en masse on April 15.

But enough about Uncle Sam's tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y'all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Let's get started on meeting that new Oct. 15 deadline. It will be here before you know it.

The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column can help you finish up your extended Form 1040. There also will be tax tidbits each month that make sure you meet other tax deadlines. And, of course, you'll find advice on ways to cut your 2025 tax bill.

The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column can help you finish up your extended Form 1040. There also will be tax tidbits each month that make sure you meet other tax deadlines. And, of course, you'll find advice on ways to cut your 2025 tax bill.
Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.

Time for Tax Tasks

No Fooling Around!
April is here, bringing Tax Day along for the ride. Millions of us have put off dealing with our 1040 forms, so we definitely are not in the mood for tax pranks or unfunny filing misinformation.

That's why during this month of spring showers ☔ that nourish our budding 🌻 flowers, we also need some tending of our tax gardens, by April 15 and the rest of the month’s 30 other days. Here goes!
April 1: The first day of April definitely is not a day to fool around if you must make a required minimum distribution (RMD). This year's deadline is for folks who turned 73 in 2024 and decided to delay their first RMD.

April 5: You made it through April 1 and the month's first full week unscathed by foolish pranksters, but tax misconceptions persist year-round. Don't fall for any of these 10 tax myths as you work on finishing your return. Similarly, make sure you don't make any common filing mistakes, or overlook any tax breaks.

April 8: Tax Day is just a week away. You really tried to do your taxes yourself, but you've realized you need help. It's probably too late to find a tax professional who'll do your taxes by April 15. Sorry. They tend to book up earlier in the tax year. But there's still help available, especially if you're older or don't make a ton of money. Check into Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs in your area. These IRS-trained volunteers are happy to help eligible taxpayers fill out and file returns at no- or low-cost.

April 10: If your job is 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, groceries and/or prepared meals, 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 March 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.

April 12: It’s the last weekend before Tax Day. If you plan to send your completed Form 1040 to the Internal Revenue Service by next Tuesday, buckle down now. The prior months tax tips — January, February, March, and the ones so far on the April page can help.

April 15: This is it! Tax Day 2024 is here.

via GIPHY

The main task today is, of course, filing your 2024 tax year return. The IRS recommends we file electronically, which will speed up processing of returns and issuance of any refunds. And again this year, millions of taxpayers can do their taxes and e-file for free.

First, there’s the IRS-Free File Alliance partnership, which again offers no-cost online tax preparation and electronic filing to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income (AGI) is $84,000 or less, regardless of filing status at the official IRS.gov Free File website. 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.
You also might want to check out IRS Direct File, the IRS’ own free online tax prep and e-filing program if you live in one of the 25 states where the free online tax preparation and e-filing is offered. In addition, Direct File offers more options that apply to more taxpayers’ situations this year.

If you find you just can't get your 1040 finished today, file Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension. Note, however, that while this will give you until Oct. 15 to file your tax forms, you must pay any tax you owe when you file your extension form today.

April 15 also is the deadline several other tax tasks. They include:

Making your first 2025 tax year estimated tax payment. There's no extension allowed here.

Adding to your IRA, either Roth or traditional, and have that amount count as 2024 tax year contribution. Note, too, that a traditional IRA contribution is deductible for some taxpayers as an above-the-line tax deduction on your current return. Contributions for 2024 to either type of IRA also could provide eligible filers a claim of the Saver's Credit, a $1,000 dollar-for-dollar offset of any tax owed.

And if you live in a state that collects income tax, you likely must file that return today, too.

April 21: Whew! Now that filing is done (except for tax procrastinators on extension) and you've had a few days to get settled, it's time to take care of your tax records. You need to hang onto some filing paperwork just in case the IRS has follow-up questions.

April 30: Yay! We made it through the year's biggest tax month! Did you get or are expecting a big refund? Or did you end up owing Uncle Sam a lot? Either way, with your filing fresh in your mind, it's a good time for a paycheck checkup to see if you should adjust your paycheck tax withholding.

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.

State Tax Help

Don't forget your state taxes!
Forty-two states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the eight states without any 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

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 Tax Forms 2025 page.

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COVID-19 & Taxes

Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
These five Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
March-July 2020
August-December 2020
January-December 2021
January-December 2022
…and so it continues into 2023
…and, alas, into 2024
It is 2025 and, yes, it's still an issue
You can find medical coronavirus resource links in the next section.

COVID-19 Resources

Need help finding a coronavirus vaccine in the United States?
Call 1-800-232-0233
or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
More information and resources at:
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April 2025

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Red yucca and orb spider after April shower. (Photo by Kay Bell)
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Tell it to the Hill

While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — Congress and the White House for our tax laws. 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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