May 2024 Tax Tips

May tax moves can make for a merrier filing, and lower tax bill, next year.

OK, maybe any merry tax month is a bit of a stretch. But if you made it through Tax Day without too much damage, then May indeed may be a month of happy relief if not downright celebration.

To borrow from Thomas Dekker's poem "The Merry Month of May" —

O the month of May, the merry month of May,
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!

Sure, the Elizabethan dramatist and pamphleteer was talking about the flora emerging from winter in his poem, which first appeared in Dekker's 1599 play "The Shoemaker's Holiday."

But the green reference also can apply to money. For our purposes, that's tax dollars.

May can be the month you get the refund from your 2023 return that you filed in April.

Or it can be a month of budget tightening as you deal with a shortfall from having to pay the U.S. Treasury more than you expected on Tax Day.

May also can be the month you take steps to ensure your 2024 tax filing next year produces better results than this year.

As always, the tax tips are gathered here after first being featured in the upper right corner of the ol' blog. Since that placement is ephemeral, you'll find those pieces of advice when they appeared there.

There are some for folks who missed Tax Day. Or whose tax deadline has been delayed due to a major disaster or a filing extension.

But there also are plenty for those of you who are done with 2023 taxes and are now working on reducing your 2024 tax bill.

So that you may put them to use as early as possible this May, here goes.

Still haven't filed your taxes? Do this now! — Yes, you read this nag friendly reminder last month right after you missed Tax Day. Now weeks have passed, and the penalty charges, not to mention the interest that the IRS tacks on, are adding up. Compounding daily. The only way to stop it is to file a return as soon as possible. That's one of 4 tax moves folks who didn't file a return on April 15 need to make. Now. (May 1, 2024)
Collecting your old unclaimed tax refund and 3 other May tax moves — Ah, May. We welcome you and your rain-fed flowers, balmy days, and taxes. Yes, taxes. While your taxes understandably aren’t top of mind this month, there are some tax moves you should make in May that could add to the month’s, and your tax situation’s, merriment. (May 2, 2024)
Tracking down your tax refund — Whether you filed months ago, or on the April 15 Tax Day deadline, you still have one question this tax season. Where the heck is my refund?!? Use the Internal Revenue Service’s online, and aptly named, refund tracking tool “Where’s My Refund?” to get the answer to this annual query. (May 3, 2024)
Toasting Cinco de Mayo and alcohol tax revenue — Yes, this post originally was published on a prior Margarita Day. But since that adult beverage also is part of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, at least here in Texas, the always animated in every sense of the word Sterling Archer's recipe and the associated federal and state alcohol tax info deserve a toast. ¡Salud! (May 5, 2024)
6 ways to use your tax refund — Now that you’ve received your federal tax refund, or know it’s on its way thanks to the IRS’ refund tracking tool, the next question is what will you do with the money? Here are six ways to maximize your tax refund cash. (May 7, 2024)
11 steps (tax and more) to starting a business — Are you considering starting a small business? It can be a rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared for all the work. The effort begins well before you put up an “Open” sign. Here are 11 steps that can help you get your new enterprise off to a good start. (May 9, 2024)
HSA, HDHP inflation bumps for 2025 — The amounts that health savings account (HSA) owners can put into this tax-advantaged medical plan is going up next year. The increase is part of the IRS announcement today with the 2025 inflation-adjusted limits for not only HSAs, but also the associated high deductible health plans (HDHPs), and the lesser-used health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). (May 10, 2024)
10 tips to deal with an IRS tax notice — Yikes! You found an Internal Revenue Service notice in your mailbox. Don’t panic. That’s the first of 10 ways to handle that IRS letter. (May 12, 2024)
Appealing an IRS decision — You and the IRS disagree about what you owe. The tax collector's finding isn't necessarily the final word. You can appeal. Here's how. (May 13, 2024)
May 17, 2024, is last day to claim 2020 refund — If you didn't file a 2020 tax year return back in 2021 and were due a refund, your last chance to claim that money — more than $1 billion total — is Friday, May 17. That’s the three-year deadline to submit that filing, which was neglected by almost a million people. Miss this week’s May 17 deadline, and Uncle Sam gets to keep your tax cash. (May 14, 2024)
Tax refunds held by IRS due to dubious claims — Waiting for a tax refund is frustrating. Having the IRS hold it because of questions about your return is worse. And the worst is when the hold is due to a questionable claim on your tax return. That’s happened to thousands of filers this year, who made improper claims due to con artist urgings or bad social media tax advice. (May 15, 2024)
Tax rules when using retirement funds after a disaster — It’s already been an incredibly active year for disasters, and hurricane season is on the horizon. A lot of people who endure the many manifestations of a mad Mother Nature turn to their tax-advantaged retirement savings to help in recovering from major disasters. SECURE 2.0 codified how these plans can help. The Internal Revenue Service also has issued a frequently asked questions sheet to help those needing to make disaster-related retirement plan withdrawals. (May 16, 2024)
May 18 is final IRS TAC walk-in Saturday — 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, May 18. Fifty-nine Taxpayer Assistance Center (TACs) will be open. On this Saturday, walk-ins are welcome, no appointment needed. (May 17, 2024)
Ohio tornado victims have new Sept. 3 tax filing (and payment) deadline — Ohio was hard hit by deadly tornadoes on March 14. Now, following a FEMA major disaster declaration, the IRS is providing tax relief to individual and business taxpayers in 11 Buckeye State counties. Those taxpayers now have until Sept. 3 to meet a variety of tax filing and paying responsibilities. (May 19, 2024)
7 financial gifts, some with tax benefits, for graduates — Got some new high school or college graduates in your life? Here are seven financial gifts, some with tax benefits, that they, and in some cases, you, too, will enjoy. (May 21, 2024)
Gasoline tax considerations for Memorial Day travel — AAA is predicting record road travel this coming Memorial Day holiday. If you’re among the expected 38 million drivers, the gas price outlook — for now — is pretty good. Part of your pump price is fuel taxes. Here’s a look at how states arrive at the tax amounts they add to each gallon of gas. (May 22, 2024)
IRS Free File is extended for 5 more years — The Internal Revenue Service is still struggling to get all who are eligible to use Free File, but it’s hopeful. That optimism was expressed in the IRS announcement that it and the Free File Alliance have agreed to continue the no-cost tax prep program through 2029. And for eligible taxpayers now looking for a no-cost way to get their extended 2023 tax returns to the IRS, this year’s Free File program will stay open through Oct. 15. (May 25, 2024)
Congressional group wants Direct File expanded, made permanent — The IRS and Treasury are still evaluating this year’s Direct File pilot, but some members of Congress are giving it a thumbs up. More than 130 Senate and House Democrats and Independents want the IRS-created-and-operated, no-cost online tax preparation and e-filing program to be expanded and made permanent. (May 28, 2024)
A look at 529 plan tax benefits on National 529 Day — Happy National 529 Day! May 29 is an important if unofficial holiday if you're facing or expect one day to deal with the ever-escalating costs of college. 529 plans offer tax-favored ways to help cover some of those educational expenses. (May 29, 2024)
Direct File will be a permanent tax filing option — The Internal Revenue Service recommended, and the U.S. Treasury agreed, that the free tax software program created and operated directly by the IRS will be a permanent tax preparation and electronic filing option starting next year. Federal tax officials are encouraging all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to join the expanded Direct File program in filing season 2025. (May 31, 2024)

*****

All the Tax Tip page links below are live. If, however, you click on a month later in the year, you'll be greeted (again) by this nay-saying guy's GIF instead of Internal Revenue Service and Don't Mess With Taxes tips. That tax info you're seeking will fill up those pages when the months finally arrive.

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

Today's Tax Tip

2025 tax brackets and the tax rate you really pay — You probably weren’t thrilled with what you owed the Internal Revenue Service when you filed, and paid, your taxes last week. But thanks to our progressive tax system, the amount wasn’t as much as you might have thought from looking at your tax bracket. Here’s a look at the 2025 tax rates and income ranges to which they apply, as well as some math on how to determine your effective vs. your marginal tax rate. (April 21, 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.
LinkTree

My Other Accounts

Tick ... Tick ... Tick

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.

What are you looking for?

Looking for something in particular? Start with the Table of Contents.
Or check out the Archives, where you can review posts by month and category. Or enter specific keywords in the box below to search
Don't Mess With Taxes.

Search

Subscribe:
E-mail, RSS or both!

Enter your Email

Powered by FeedBlitz
RSS

Affiliate Books

The Truth
About Paying Fewer Taxes
Are you a tax geek? Got tax geek friends? Do you or they just want to make sure you don't overpay the IRS? Then my book, "The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes," is for all y'all.

Look for it on bookstore shelves
or order a copy (or two!) from
Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Find out more about my book and excerpted chapters at the FT Press
Truth About Paying
Fewer Taxes Web page.
You can read more
of Kay's tax insights in ...

Kay Bell helps you build
a solid tax foundation in
"Personal Finance: An Encyclopedia
of Modern Money Management"

Kay Bell breaks down taxes and
estate planning for millennials in
"Future Millionaires' Guidebook"

A collection of Kay Bell stories
is included in
"The Gambler's Guide to Taxes:
How to Keep More
of What You Win"

Tax Reading Room
You also might enjoy these other tax tips from some of my tax-writing colleagues:
J.K. Lasser 2025 Taxes
Tax Savvy for Small Business 2025

Taxes, Accounting, and Bookkeeping
3-in-1 Bible 2025

~~~~~~~
Don't Mess With Taxes
is an Amazon Affiliate.
If you click on the product links above and/or buy the items,
I will be compensated.

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ...

Taxes are all about the numbers.
Check out these (mostly) weekly
By the Numbers figures.

Kudos Et Cetera

National Association
for Women in Communications
Winner, Best Personal Blog
2012, 2014 & 2017
Plutus Financial Bloggers Awards
Celebrating the Best
in Personal Finance
Winner, Best Tax Blog
2011 and 2013
Lifetime Achievement Nominee 2020

I gotta tell ya ...

AKA Disclaimer:

I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999. I am not a professional tax preparer.

The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal interpretation and 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. While I work to ensure each post's accuracy, the items are not recommendations of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of commercial tax products or services are not endorsements.

In other words, my ramblings on the ol' tax blog are free advice, and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it is time for you to file your own taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent, or other reputable, qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

Privacy Policy

Wondering what happens to your information once you subscribe? Don't worry. Don't Mess With Taxes respects your wish not to be a mere data source. Check the ol' blog's privacy policy at the Table of Contents page, as well as on the separate Privacy Policy page.

©©©©© & ®®®®®

Don't Mess With Taxes®
is a registered trademark
of S. Kay Bell.

All content on this site is
© 2005-2025 S. Kay Bell
dba Write Here, a division of
SKB Editorial Services, LLC
And a bit of housekeeping.
Note 1: Some of the links on this site
are affiliate links. That means that
if you click through from
a Don't Mess With Taxes link
and then buy the product,
I receive a commission.

Note 2: Links to outside content
might become inactive due to changes
at the copy's originating website.
If you discover dead links, please e-mail me the details. Thanks.

Note 3: The banner art for the ol' blog
is courtesy Pictures of Money
via Flickr Creative Commons.

Blog powered by Typepad
Member since 11/2005

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

April 2025

..................................................

Red yucca and orb spider after April shower. (Photo by Kay Bell)
...............................................

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.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30