5 Money Hacks To Make Doing Your 2025 Taxes Easier
Written by
Angela Mae Watson
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Taxpayers have until Apr. 15, 2026 to file this year’s taxes, but why wait? The longer you put it off, the more likely you are to make mistakes or — worse — lose out on tax breaks.
If the thought of filing taxes is starting to stress you out, try not to fret. Here are top tips to make doing your taxes easier, while saving a bit of money.
Use a Digital Folder for Your Docs
“[Have] a single digital folder in which you can put all tax-related documents you receive throughout the year, like receipts, mileage logs, confirmations of charitable donations and summaries of medical expenses,” said Mario Serralta, certified public accountant (CPA) and founding lawyer of Mario Serralta & Associates.
Even if you have a relatively simple tax situation (W-2s only), having a folder makes it so much easier to stay organized. Plus, you won’t find yourself scrambling to find all your documents when it’s time to file.
Check Over Last Year’s Tax Return
When it comes to taxes, you’d be surprised at how much can change in just one year. Life events, like changing jobs or getting married, can affect your tax situation. That’s why it’s wise to look over the previous year’s tax return before you file.
“Many self-filers lose valid deductions only to realize they were not brought forward after they had already been claimed in the previous year,” said Serralta.
If you filed through a software like TurboTax, you can check your return there. Otherwise, log into your IRS account to see your tax and payment history.
See which tax deductions and credits you qualified for in the past. Compare those with your current situation — including your filing status and finances — to see what might carry over. There might be niche cases that you’ve forgotten about that could lower this year’s bill substantially.
Pay Attention to Tax Credits and Deductions
There are so many tax credits and deductions out there. They change from year to year, so check what’s available.
For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is available to those who fall within a certain income threshold. The EITC ranges from $649 (no qualifying children) to $8,046 (three or more qualifying children).
Check the IRS’ website for other tax breaks, or consult a qualified professional to see what you might qualify for.
Gather Your Docs In Advance (And Use a Professional)
If you feel like there are endless tax-related documents, you’re not alone. Besides W-2s, you might also be dealing with things like:
- 1099s if you earned income from other sources (like self-employment or bank account interest)
- Documents showing charitable donations
- Health savings account or flexible spending account contributions
- Retirement account contributions
- Education-related expenses (either for yourself as a student or as a teacher)
- Home mortgage and property tax records
- Dependent or childcare expenses
- Mileage logs and receipts
- Receipts for deductible office expenses
- Proof of estimated tax payments
Things can get really complicated, especially if you’re self-employed or own a business. While you might be tempted to go with a free tax filing software, it might be worth spending a little extra on a tax pro to reduce your tax liability as much as possible.
File Early
Just because you have until Apr. 15 doesn’t mean you should delay filing until the deadline. Filing early can reduce the hassle, and even save you money.
“Individuals doing their own taxes [should] take some time and not rush when filing the return,” said Serralta. “A few extra minutes to reconcile each and every number to the source documents can avoid processing delays, I.R.S. notices or even an amended return.”
The IRS may charge a penalty for failing to file and pay your taxes on time. This penalty is 5% of any unpaid taxes per month the return is late (up to 25%).
You may be able to dispute the penalty, but the easiest option is generally to request an extension. This gives you more time to file and pay your taxes without the extra charge.
Pay Medical Bills Out of Pocket
Your health savings account (HSA) offers triple tax advantages:
- Tax-free contributions
- Tax-free growth
- Tax-free distributions (if used for qualifying medical expenses)
But just because you have an HSA doesn’t mean you should necessarily use it for every medical expense. If you have medical bills and can pay out of pocket, do that instead of taking a distribution. It’ll be less paperwork at tax time. Plus, your account funds can continue to grow.
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