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March 2019 Tax Season Filing Tips

Get ready for a roaring good tax filing time!

Tax tip pencil

Make way for March, the last full month of the annual tax filing season. 

Traditionally, the third month of the year is said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.

But savvy taxpayers know they need to be in full beast mode for all of March's 31 days.

Whether you're finishing or (like me) just getting started or still just thinking about doing your taxes, this months filing season tips can help.

Tax planning, too: For all y'all who've already done your annual tax duty, we salute you…with maybe a little jealousy-inspired curing under our breath.

You industrious taxpayers can take more of a lamb approach, calmly exploring ways this month to make next year's filing season even easier and less costly.

Regardless of whether you're a tax lion or lamb, the March's pieces of tax advice, like January's and February's before them, will be highlighted in the upper right corner of the ol' blog.

After their time in the spotlight, the March tips then will be permanently ensconced on this page.

So with an appropriate roar, let's get to them!

  1. Unpaid tax bills could affect passports — If you're planning to travel internationally, make sure you've paid your taxes. A seriously delinquent tax debt could get your passport pulled. (March 1, 2019)
  2. Take care of your state taxes, too — Most U.S. taxpayers have a double dose of tax duties every year. In addition to their federal Form 1040, they also must file state, and sometimes local, taxes. Here's how to contact your state tax office for the full scoop on taxes in your jurisdiction. (March 2, 2019)
  3. Getting tax help after a natural disaster — Natural disasters, ranging from tornadoes to hurricanes to floods to blizzards, can be devastating. But in some cases, you might be able to get tax help in recovering from the damages by claiming the losses on your taxes. (March 4, 2019)
  4. Tax help for taking care of aging parents — We're living longer. So are our parents, meaning many adult children eventually find their parent/child roles reverse and they must enter into a more formalized care taking situation. In these cases, the Internal Revenue Code might be able to provide you some tax help. (March 6, 2019)
  5. Debt offsets can cut into tax refunds — Smaller than expected refunds have gotten a lot of attention this filing season, but not all are related to tax law changes. Sometimes federal refunds are reduced — or offset in the official lingo — to pay other taxpayer overdue debts. (March 7, 2019)
  6. What do you want from tax software? — You've finally decided to turn to tax software to do your taxes. The good news is that you've got lots of choices. But choose wisely. And before you log in to the wide and wonderful world of electronic taxes, make sure you understand what you want from a tax prep package. These considerations will help you get the most from whichever software product you select. (March 9, 2019)
  7. Doing your taxes online vs. hiring a tax preparer — One of the biggest decisions taxpayers face each year is how to file their returns. In recent years, more than 80 percent of federal returns were filed with tax software. But most of those computer-prepared and e-filed returns were completed by tax professionals. Why hire a tax pro to do your taxes online when you can use similar software to do the job yourself? Here are four questions to help you decide. (March 12, 2019)
  8. Rounding tax entries — Doing taxes is all about the numbers. And while the Internal Revenue Service wants us to be accurate, it also allows — even encourages — us to round our tax return mathematical entries. Here are some tips on how to do that so that your filing life is easier and you still keep the tax collector happy. (March 14, 2019)
  9. Tax breaks that can help cover educational costs — If you or your parents are paying for upcoming semesters, it's time for some educational tax incentives homework. Uncle Sam's various tax-favored credits, deductions, savings options, scholarships and even employer assistance can help pay many school bills. (March 15, 2019)
  10. Don't miss out on $1.4 billion in unclaimed refunds — Three years ago, more than 1 million taxpayers didn't file tax returns. This oversight has left the U.S. Treasury holding $1.4 billion in unclaimed tax year 2015 refunds. If the owners of the money don't file for it by this April's filing deadline, they'll lose the refunds forever. (March 17, 2019)
  11. Foreign assets mean more filing tasks — If you have foreign financial accounts you might need to file some added forms, both with your annual Internal Revenue Service return, as well as directly with Treasury. These overseas assets reporting requirements often are blamed for the number of U.S. expatriates, although folks leaving the country has slowed of late. (March 19, 2019)
  12. Divorce and taxes — Marriage can be challenging. Sometime couples just can't work through their troubles and decide to officially end their marriages. When that happens, among all the other issues, there are tax matters to consider. These six tax situations could come into play if you and your current better half decide to go your separate ways. (March 20, 2019)
  13. Day camp tax break — Sending your kid to day camp? Hold onto the receipts. Not only do these summer diversions give working parents some peace of mind about who's taking care of their kiddos once school is out, the camps' costs count toward claiming the child and dependent care tax credit. (March 21, 2019)
  14. Obamacare tax tasks for 2018 returns — The Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare, is now 9 years old and, despite taking some political hits, is still the law. By now, most of us have health care related tax filing under control. But tax reform changes, like eliminating the no-insurance tax penalty starting in 2019, have confused some. Here's the scoop on the Obamacare responsibilities taxpayers face in connection with tax year 2018 tax returns due this April. (March 22, 2019)
  15. Dirty Dozen tax scams of 2019 — It's that time again, the annual unveiling of the 12 most pervasive tax scams. The 2019 version is essentially a repeat of the 2018 list, with the order of the tax identity theft schemes shifted a tad. But that just means the scams are still working. Check out this list and don't become a victim. (March 24, 2019)
  16. RMD FAQ — If you saved a lot for retirement in tax-deferred accounts, you could be facing an April 1 deadline to withdraw some of your savings. Here are 10 questions and answers on these required minimum distributions, aka in tax-speak as RMDs. (March 25, 2019)
  17. Tax tips for lottery millionaires — Admit it. You bought a Powerball ticket. Me, too. If we win — hey, with a $750 million (and growing) jackpot, there's plenty of cash to go around! — here are 5 tax-related things to consider. (March 26, 2019)
  18. Tax tips for March Madness bettors — March Madness, the sobriquet given the basketball match-ups this month en route to the NCAA men's college basketball championship title, also describes the crazy betting associated with the games. This year, thanks to a Supreme Court, more states are accepting legal wagers on the games. That's good news for the Internal Revenue Service, which should get more info on the winnings, which are taxable income. (March 30, 2019)

But wait, there's more! You can find the previous two month's collected tax wisdom by clicking the links below for the January and February tax tips pages.

And yes, you can click on April, too, but you'll just find a guy telling you to whoa up. We're not there yet. But rest assured, April's tax tips will be added when that month arrives.

January 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

February 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

April 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips

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Today's Tax Tip

  • Tips for first-time filers — Welcome to the tax paying club! The only initiation rite for this large society is filling out your first Form 1040. These tips for first-time taxpayers can make the process a little less intimidating. Even if you're a tax veteran, check them out; some of the advice applies to all us filers. (Jan. 24, 2023)

  • Tax Tip; click pencil for all tax tip links

  • The 2023 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!

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

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Tick ... Tick ... Tick

  • Tax Year 2023 Countdown!

    Happy New Tax Year! Are you ready to file your 2022 tax return? Me neither. But at least this year we're getting some extra time to file and pay any tax we owe. Even better, it's not COVID-19 pandemic related. Tax Day 2023 is Tuesday, April 18. This later date is because April 15, 2023, is on Saturday, and the next business day, Monday, April 17, is Emancipation Day.
    When this Washington, D.C., holiday falls on the day our federal taxes are due, it bumps Tax Day nationwide to the next business day. So this year, we have until Tuesday, April 18, to finish our federal forms and, if we find we owe, come up with the money for Uncle Sam. The states that follow the federal tax calendar, which is most of them, also tend to abide by this date change.

    The countdown clock below should help us from missing out on making important tax-saving moves the rest of this year. Plus, the Tax Moves below the counter will list some timely tasks to take care this first month of 2023, and each of the remaining 11 when they arrive. They'll speed by quickly when you're having tax fun!
    Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.


Time for Tax Tasks


  • monthly tax moves


  • 🎆 Happy 🎉 New 🥂 Year! 🎆

    via GIPHY

    Hello 2023! I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you! I know, I said that about 2021 and 2022, but I really, really mean it. And I'm hoping you reciprocate, you brand spanking new year, on the personal front by letting go of COVID-19, and, on the tax side, by making this the year that taxes also get back to normal. Don't laugh. A gal can hope!

    Jan. 1: Once more for the official date — Happy New Year! One way to make things more enjoyable on the tax front is to get organized this month. Early this month. It will help you keep track of the myriad tax documents — W-2 earnings statements, 1099 forms, charitable donation receipts, year-end account statements — that will soon be on their way to your email or snail mail box. You'll need those (and more) to file your 2022 tax return as soon as the Internal Revenue Service starts accepting them.

    Jan. 3: It's the first official work day of 2023. It's also a deadline for employers, including those who are self-employed, who took advantage of the COVID relief option in 2021 to defer the employer's portion of the Social Security payroll tax; that's 6.2 percent of each worker's wages. If you didn't remit thr taxes before the end of December, today is the absolute final due date for paying the balance of those postponed tax collections.

    Jan. 6: It's Friday, the end of the first holiday-shortened work week of 2023. Even though most of us are thinking about filing our 2022 returns when the IRS opens filing season later this month, we also need to start our 2023 tax planning. Start with the inflation adjustments that apply to a variety of tax situations. You can find this year's figures in the ol' blog's 10-part tax inflation series.

    Jan. 9: Tonight, TCU's Horned Frogs and Georgia's Bulldogs face off at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to decide the men's college football championship. Thousands of fans are rooting for their teams. Even more people with no personal connections are betting on the game, thanks to the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling to allow states to accept sports wagers. If you're one of those bettors and your pick pays off, remember that you'll owe taxes on your winnings. The good news is that you won't have to share your luck with Uncle Sam until you file your 2023 return next year. The better news is that there are ways to reduce your taxable winnings.

    Jan. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation? I hope you got lots of financial thanks for doing your job well, but remember that those tips are taxable income.

    restaurant check tip iStock
    Whether you're dining in or, still COVID leery and getting food 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.

    If you got at least $20 in gratuities in November, you must account for the tips today by using Form 4070 to report last month's tips total to your employer.

    Jan. 13: It's the first Friday the 13th of 2023. That might not worry you, but even non-superstitious folks are frightened a bit by taxes. However, on this or any other day, don't fear, or fall for, these 13 scary, but wrong, tax myths.

    Jan. 16: Every Martin Luther King Jr. Day, millions of people commit to a day of service.

     MLK Day logo
    Click image to find out ways
    you can volunteer on MLK Day.

    Taking time on the Rev. Dr. King's holiday to volunteer at a charity isn't tax deductible, but some costs associated with volunteering could help reduce your tax bill if you itemize.

    Jan. 17: Today is the due date for the final estimated tax tax payment for the 2022 tax year. It's usually on the 15th, but that fell on Sunday. Then Monday was the federal MLK Day holiday. So the final estimated tax payment deadline was shifted to the next business day, Tuesday, Jan. 17.

    Jan. 17: This date isn't firm yet, but the IRS and its Free File Alliance partners usually offer their no-cost online tax preparation and electronic filing program Free File around the middle of January. When the special Free File website at IRS.gov is available, take advantage of it if you qualify.

    IRS Free File; click image for details

    Free File last year was open to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income was $73,000 or less, but that earnings limit should be bumped up a bit for the 2023 filing season. Whatever the amount, the income level applies to all filing statuses.

    Jan. 23: If you make too much to use Free File, and don't want to use its Free Forms option, you always can purchase your own tax prep software or high a tax pro to handle your taxes. If you looking to hire someone, get to it now. At this point, if you can find a tax preparer taking new clients, you'll be at the end of the filings list. But at least you'll be on the list.

    Jan. 27: It was this week last year that the IRS started accepting and, more importantly, processing tax year returns. If you plan to be among the earliest of filers, you need to make sure you have all the necessary information and documentation. Check out this list of the statements, documents, and forms you'll need before you start work on your return.

    Jan. 31: Wow! The first month of 2023 is over? Time really does fly when you're having tax fun. We'll keep it going here in this new year with new Tax Moves to Make each month, which you also can find on their monthly tax tips pages. January already is filling up!

    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 Tax Forms 2023 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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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-December 2022
    You can find medical coronavirus resource links in the next section.

COVID-19 Resources

  • COVID-19
    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:
    CDC Vaccines
    CDC Booster Shots
    HHS Combat COVID
    USA.Gov COVID Info

January 2023

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Tell it to the Hill

  • 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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