Filing Your Taxes: Clear Answers to Common Questions

Many people don’t file because they’re unsure where to start, what forms they need, or what happens if they make a mistake. This guide focuses on individual U.S. federal tax returns and how the process typically works in real life.

Quick summary

  • Main agency: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) handles federal income tax filing.
  • Core choice: File electronically (e-file) or paper mail using the correct IRS forms.
  • Key deadline: Most years, the due date is around April 15 for the prior tax year.
  • First action today:Gather income documents (W‑2s, 1099s) and check if you can use a free IRS or nonprofit tax filing program.
  • Where to go: Use the IRS official website or search for local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers or VITA/TCE free tax prep sites.
  • After filing: You typically get an acceptance/rejection notice (for e-file), then either a refund, a bill, or a “no tax due” result.

1. Do I Have to File a Tax Return at All?

You’re generally required to file a federal income tax return if your income is above certain limits for your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), you’re self-employed with at least a small amount of net income, or certain taxes (like early withdrawal penalties) apply to you. The IRS updates these income thresholds every year, and they vary based on age and filing status.

Even if you’re not required to file, you may want to file if you had federal taxes withheld from paychecks or qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, because that is often the only way to get that money refunded. Rules and thresholds can vary by year and sometimes by state for state income tax, so always check the current IRS rules and your state’s tax agency (usually ending in .gov).

Key terms to know:

  • Tax year — The calendar year you earned the income (e.g., 2025 income is filed in early 2026).
  • Tax return — The forms you submit to report income, deductions, and credits; most individuals use Form 1040.
  • Refund — Money the IRS sends back when your withholding and credits exceed what you owe.
  • Tax credit vs. deduction — A credit directly reduces your tax bill; a deduction reduces the income that gets taxed.

2. Where Do I Actually File, and What Are My Options?

For federal taxes, the official authority is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and they offer both electronic and paper filing methods. For state income taxes, your state’s department of revenue or taxation agency handles separate returns, with its own portal and rules.

Your main filing options typically are:

  • IRS Free File or fillable forms: For eligible income levels, accessed through the official IRS website.
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) / Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): Free in-person preparation for many low- and moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, limited English speakers, and older adults.
  • Commercial tax software: Paid or sometimes free for simple returns; these e-file through the IRS electronic system.
  • Paper filing by mail: You print, sign, and mail your Form 1040 and schedules to the correct IRS address listed in the instructions.

A concrete first step today is to search for your local VITA or TCE site on the IRS website or by calling the IRS general help line and asking, “Can you tell me where the nearest free VITA tax preparation site is and what documents I need to bring?” After you schedule an appointment, the next thing that happens is you’ll typically receive appointment details, a document checklist, and sometimes an intake form to fill out before you arrive.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • W‑2 forms from all employers you worked for during the tax year.
  • 1099 forms (such as 1099‑NEC for freelance work, 1099‑INT for interest, 1099‑G for unemployment, 1099‑R for pensions).
  • Photo ID and Social Security card (or ITIN letter) for you, your spouse, and dependents, plus any prior-year tax return if you have it.

3. What Steps Should I Take to File My Taxes?

These are the basic steps for a typical individual filing a straightforward federal return.

  1. Confirm if you must file
    Use the “Do I need to file?” tool on the IRS site or review the current IRS filing requirement chart for your income, age, and filing status. If you’re borderline or have unusual income (self-employment, gig work, rental property), assume you should file or ask a tax preparer or VITA site for guidance.

  2. Gather your tax documents
    Collect all W‑2s, 1099s, Social Security benefit statements, brokerage tax statements, and unemployment forms. Check your online payroll or benefits accounts if you haven’t received paper copies by late January or early February; if a form is missing, contact the employer or payer and request it.

  3. Choose a filing method and, if needed, book help
    Decide whether to use free IRS options, VITA/TCE, software, or a paid preparer. If using VITA/TCE, call or sign up through your local site; for a paid preparer, check they have valid credentials (such as an Enrolled Agent, CPA, or tax attorney) and confirm any preparation fees in writing before they start.

  4. Complete your return (Form 1040 and schedules)
    If e-filing with software or at a VITA site, you’ll answer questions, and the system/preparer fills in Form 1040 and any needed schedules (like Schedule 1 for additional income, Schedule C for self-employment, or Schedule EIC for Earned Income Tax Credit). For paper filing, download the latest Form 1040 instructions and follow them line by line, ensuring you sign and date the return.

  5. Submit and keep proof
    For e-filed returns, you’ll get an electronic confirmation when the IRS either accepts or rejects the return; if it’s rejected, the notice usually includes a short error code and what needs correction. For paper returns, send them to the address listed in the instructions, ideally by certified mail or other trackable method, and keep a copy of the signed return and the mailing receipt.

  6. What to expect next
    After the IRS accepts your return, they calculate your final tax, then you’ll either receive a refund (often by direct deposit), an IRS bill (Notice of Amount Due) if you owe more, or a statement showing a zero balance. If something doesn’t match their records (for example, a missing 1099 or incorrect Social Security number), the IRS may mail you a notice asking for clarification or additional documentation, which you must respond to by the deadline on the notice.

4. What If I Miss the Deadline, Owe Money, or Don’t Have All My Documents?

If you can’t file by the regular April deadline, you can usually submit Form 4868 to request an automatic filing extension until around October; this extends the time to file, but not the time to pay, so you should still estimate and pay as much as you can by the April deadline to limit penalties and interest. If you’re due a refund, the late filing penalty typically doesn’t apply, but there are limits on how many years back you can claim a refund.

If you owe taxes and can’t pay in full, you can commonly request an installment agreement through the IRS online payment portal or by filing Form 9465, which lets you pay monthly. If you don’t have all documents (for example, a missing W‑2), first contact the employer; if they won’t provide it, you can usually get a wage and income transcript from the IRS and file using that, or file a substitute W‑2 using Form 4852 based on your own records like pay stubs.

Real-world friction to watch for

A frequent snag is waiting too long for corrected or missing forms, which pushes people past the deadline and leads to penalties or rushed, error-filled returns. If you still don’t have a W‑2 or 1099 by mid-February, contact the employer or payer, then, if needed, call the IRS to request help obtaining wage information instead of simply waiting and hoping it arrives.

5. How Do I Check My Refund, Fix Mistakes, and Avoid Scams?

To check your refund status, use the IRS’s official “Where’s My Refund?” tool or automated phone system; you’ll need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount from your return. It typically takes longer to see updates for paper returns than for e-filed ones, and amended returns (filed on Form 1040‑X) often take several weeks or months to fully process.

If you realize you made a mistake after filing (wrong income, missed credits, wrong filing status), you generally correct it by filing Form 1040‑X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return); after you submit an amendment, expect a longer processing time and check your status periodically through IRS channels. To avoid scams, only use websites and email addresses ending in .gov for IRS or state tax agencies, never send your full Social Security number by regular email, and be wary of anyone who promises a huge refund, asks for payment only in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, or claims to be from the IRS but demands instant payment over the phone.

If you’re stuck or confused, you can contact an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center by phone to schedule an in-person appointment; a simple script you might use is: “I need help with my individual tax return. Can you tell me what documents I should bring and how to set up an appointment at the nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center?” You can also seek help from Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) in many areas if you have a dispute with the IRS or can’t afford regular representation, though availability and eligibility commonly vary by location.