1. Gather your documents.
This includes your W-2s, 1099s, and other tax documents.
2. Fill out your information.
This includes your name, address, Social Security number, and other taxpayer information.
3. Check your withholding.
This includes ensuring that you have the correct amount of money withheld from your paychecks throughout the year.
4. Estimate your taxes.
This includes estimating your taxable income and calculating any potential deductions or credits you may be eligible for.
5. Add up your income.
This includes adding together all of your taxable income from all sources.
6. Subtract deductions and credits.
This includes subtracting any allowable deductions and credits from your taxable income.
7. File your return.
This includes submitting your return to the IRS either online or by mail.
8. Check your math.
This includes verifying that you have correctly calculated your taxes.
9. Review your return for mistakes.
This includes checking for any errors on your return that could lead to a higher tax bill or a smaller refund.
10. Keep a copy of your return for your records.
This includes keeping a copy of your return for future reference, in case you need to file an amended return or review past returns.