Tax Forms 2023

Broad City image via Giphy.com

2023 is here, with no new, major tax laws, not even any passed in the final days of December 2022, anywhere in sight!

Does that mean we won't see tax form changes? No. Taxes and the forms we use to report them or claim tax breaks are always tweaked to reflect the needs of the current filing season.

To try to keep track of these changes, the ol' blog is continuing an annual special page dedicated to tax forms. This feature is now in its fourth year, evolving (like Internal Revenue Service paperwork) from Tax Form Tuesday in 2020 to Tax Forms Fiesta! in 2021 to Talking Tax Forms in 2022.

For 2023, I've gone back to basics. On this iteration, known simply as Tax Forms 2023 (and I suspect this format will be the ongoing template), you'll find posts that mention, and sometimes focus on, IRS forms you might run across while filing.

Some are documents you have to complete. Others are the statements (or forms) that you'll get to help you file your return.

While I'm filling out this new Tax Forms 2023 page, which still has the GIF of Broad City star Ilana Glazer because she's brilliant and it works, you can always peruse the forms that were featured in the aforementioned 2020's Tuesdays, 2021's Fiesta!, and 2022's Talking Tax Forms.

2 NY counties get winter storm disaster tax relief (Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, and Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return | posted Jan. 6, 2023)
Time to track your 2023 tax deductible business miles (Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) [Part IV] | posted Jan. 8, 2023)
Tax documents you need to file your 2022 return (Many and varied | posted Jan. 11, 2023)
1099-K reporting delay yays and nays (Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions | posted Jan. 14, 2023)
Don't miss out on EITC, but note the 2022 tax return changes (Form 1040 Schedule EIC | posted Jan. 29, 2023)
When tax Groundhog Day - amending an earlier 1040 - is a smart move (Form 1040-X | posted Feb. 2, 2023)
Reporting Super Bowl and other gambling winnings on IRS Schedule 1 (Form 1040 Schedule 1, Part 2 | posted Feb. 13, 2023)
Don't miss these 24 tax deductions that don't require itemizing (Form 1040 Schedule 1, Part 2 | posted Feb. 15, 2023)
How to get your tax withholding just right (Form W-4 | posted Feb. 17, 2023)
Got more than wage income? Here's how to report it. (Form 1040 Schedule 1, Part 1 | posted Feb. 21, 2023)
6 tips on how to file your taxes when you're missing tax statements (Form 4852 | posted March 2, 2023)
Decoding your W-2 (Form W-2; updated March 3, 2023)
Child care tax credit returns to lower pre-COVID levels, but still worth a look (Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses| posted March 5, 2023)
Save some tax green by going greener at home (Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits | March 16, 2023)
Form 4868, the tax procrastinator's best friend (From 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return | March 19, 2023)
April 1 is RMD deadline for some. No fooling. (Form 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts | March 20, 2023)
Letting the IRS figure your taxes (not possible if you must file Forms 2555, Foreign Earned Income; Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income; Form 4970, Tax on Accumulation Distribution of Trusts; Form 4972, Tax on Lump-Sum Distributions; Form 6198, At-Risk Limitations; Form 6251, Alternative Minimum Tax—Individuals; Form 8606, Nondeductible IRAs; Form 8615 Tax for Certain Children Who Have Unearned Income; Form 8814, Parents' Election to Report Child's Interest and Dividends; Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses; Form 8853, Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts; Form 8889, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); or Form 8919, Uncollected Social Security and Medicare Tax on Wages | posted March 26, 2023)
RMD age increase and wrong notices create tax confusion for some retirement account owners (RMD Uniform Lifetime Table, Table III-Appendix B in IRS Publication 590-B | posted March 27, 2023)
6 family-friendly tax credits (Form 1040 Schedule 3; Schedule 8812, Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents; Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses; Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses; Schedule EIC, Earned Income Tax Credit | posted March 29, 2023)
Some state refund recipients should amend their federal tax returns (Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return | posted April 11, 2023)
July 17, 2023, is deadline to claim $1.5 billion in 2019 tax year refunds (Form 1040, 2019 tax year | posted April 12, 2023)
Estimated taxes: Why, when, and how to pay them (Voucher 1040-ES | posted April 13, 2023)
In claiming potential $7,500 EV tax credit, note delivery date & other rules (Form 8834, Qualified Electric Vehicle Credit | posted April 21, 2023)
Let the IRS know when you move (Form 8822, Change of Address | posted April 26, 2023)
IRS to resume sending suspended tax notices (IRS Notice CP14, Balance Due | posted May 9, 2023)
Missing appraisals reduce donor's charitable tax deduction (Form 8283 Noncash Charitable Contributions | posted May 14, 2023)
House, Senate bills look to increase 1099-K reporting level (Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions | posted May 22, 2023)
Tax breaks that can help businesses with hiring (Form 8826, Disabled Access Credit; Form 8850, Pre-screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit | posted May 30, 2023)
Oregon man gets jail time, $30 billion IRS bill for employment tax evasion scheme (Third-Party Employment Tax providers' forms: Form 8973, Certified Professional Employer Organization/Customer Reporting Agreement; Form 8655, Reporting Agent Authorization; Form 8655, Reporting Agent Authorization | posted June 2, 2023)
Document your property for tax, insurance claims before storms hit and A pre-disaster inventory can pay off when filing insurance or tax claims (IRS Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook (Personal-Use Property); IRS Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook | posted and updated, respectively, June 4, 2023)
Californians in disaster areas get erroneous IRS tax due notices (IRS Notice CP14, Balance Due $5 or More, No Math Error | posted June 8, 2023)
Ways to pay estimated taxes (1040-ES voucher | posted June 12, 2023)
Las Vegas lawmaker seeks higher slot machine tax reporting threshold (Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings | posted June 13, 2023)
Use federal home energy tax credits to fight the heat (Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits | posted June 16, 2023)
Tips if the IRS audits your business' ERC claim (Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund | posted June 23, 2023)
IRS sending second clarification notice to disaster area filers (IRS Notice CP14, Balance Due $5 or More, No Math Error, and IRS Notice CP14CL, clarification of incorrect CP14 mailing | posted June 28, 2023)
One week left to collect your 2019 tax year refund (Form 1040, 2019 tax year | posted July 10, 2023)
Why IRS direct tax return filing is a bad idea (Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement | posted July 15, 2023)
July 31 is Tax Day for those in disaster areas in 4 states (Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return; Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return | posted July 20, 2023)
IRS ends most unannounced revenue officer home visits (725-B Appointment Letter to discuss the outstanding tax issues | posted July 24, 2023)
IP PINs recommended to thwart tax ID thieves (Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number | posted July 25, 2023)
IRS sets paperless tax goals for 2024, 2025 (most forms to be digitized | posted Aug. 2, 2023)
Watch for these data theft red flags, by tax and other financial crooks (Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit | posted Aug. 8, 2023)
College financial aid via FAFSA is getting some tweaks (Free Application for Federal Student Aid aka FAFSA form | Aug. 12, 2023)
FinCEN, IRS-CI take steps to stem construction industry payroll tax fraud (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network aka FinCEN Notice FIN-2023-NTC1; Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement | Aug. 15, 2023)
State general welfare payments in 2023 remain federally tax-free (Schedule A itemized deductions | Aug. 30, 2023)
Being the boss tax basics (Schedule C business income; Schedule SE self-employment tax; Form 1040 Schedule 1 adjustments to income; Form 1040-ES estimate tax voucher | Sept. 4, 2023)
4 tax moves to consider this September (Form 1040-ES, estimated tax; Form 1065, partnerships; Form 1120-S, corporations; Form W-4, withholding | Sept. 5, 2023)
Artificial grass tax evasion scheme ends in real prison time for company owner (Form W-9, taxpayer identification number for contractors; Form 1099-NEC, nonemployee compensation | Sept. 15, 2023)
Swifties & BeyHive provide the IRS with targets for lower resale tax reporting law (Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions | Sept. 23, 2023)
New IRS bots available to help resolve tax payment notices (IRS Notices CP2000, CP2501, and CP3219A about mismatch of reported income | Sept. 26, 2023)
$10,000+ cash transaction reporting changes coming in 2024 (Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business | Oct. 04, 2023)
Oct. 16 also is deadline for some self-employed retirement account contributions (Form 5305-SEP, Simplified Employee Pension | Oct. 9, 2023)
IRS allows businesses to withdraw improper ERC claims (Forms 941-X, 943-X, 944-X, and CT-1X | Oct. 22, 2023)
IRS extends digital signature, certain email options (Forms that the IRS allows to be digitally filed | Nov. 5, 2023)
1099-K lower reporting threshold delayed again, this time to 2025 (Form 1099-K | Nov. 21, 2023)
Getting an IP PIN is a smart taxpayer security move (Form 15227 (EN-SP), Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) | Nov. 30, 2023)
How to report tax scams and fraud (Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparer; Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint; Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit | Dec. 1, 2023)
Mutual fund taxes require December attention (Form 1099-DIV; Form 1099-INT; Form 1099-B | Dec. 7, 2023)
ACA's premium tax credit is key in health care coverage considerations (Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit | Dec. 11, 2023)
IRS welcomes voluntary disclosure of dubious ERC claims (Form 15434, Application for Employee Retention Credit Voluntary Disclosure Program; Form 433-B, Collection Information Statement for Businesses | Dec. 22, 2023)

And if you want more info on other forms not featured here, check out the ol' blog's Forms category. It will show Tax Forms 2023 entries (and the prior year's collections), as well as other tax documents that I've posted about over the years, with the newest post first. Just keep scrolling.

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

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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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You can read more
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Kay Bell helps you build
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Kay Bell breaks down taxes and
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A collection of Kay Bell stories
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"The Gambler's Guide to Taxes:
How to Keep More
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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

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Kudos Et Cetera

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Winner, Best Tax Blog
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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.

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

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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