How to File Your Taxes
Explained Like a Tax Attorney
Filing taxes is a legal process where you report:
- •What income you earned
- •What deductions or credits you qualify for
- •Whether you owe or get a refund
The IRS cares most about accuracy, documentation, and compliance.
Determine If You Must File
You must file a return if ANY of the following are true:
You earned more than the IRS income threshold
You had self-employment income over $400
You owe special taxes (early withdrawal penalties, AMT)
You received health insurance subsidies
You want a refund for taxes that were withheld
Choose Your Correct Filing Status
This legally affects your tax rates and deduction amounts.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Qualifying Widow(er)
Your filing status determines your:
- • Tax bracket
- • Standard deduction
- • Credit eligibility
Gather All IRS-Required Documents
⚠️ Missing documents = audit risk
📊Income Documents
W-2
1099-NEC
1099-K
1099-INT / 1099-DIV
1099-B (stocks/crypto)
1099-R (retirement)
K-1 (partnership/S-corp)
📋Deduction-Related Documents
Mortgage interest (1098)
Property taxes
Medical expenses
Charitable donations
Business expenses (receipts, mileage logs)
Home office calculations
💳Credit Documents
Education expenses (1098-T)
Childcare expenses
Adoption papers
Health insurance forms
Decide Between Standard vs. Itemized Deduction
This decision directly affects your taxable income.
Standard Deduction (2024)
Single
$14,600
Married Filing Jointly
$29,200
Head of Household
$21,900
💡 Itemize only if your deductible expenses exceed the standard deduction.
Calculate Taxable Income
Formula:
Gross Income – Adjustments – Deductions = Taxable Income
Adjustments include:
- ✓IRA contributions
- ✓HSA contributions
- ✓Student loan interest
- ✓Self-employed health insurance
Apply Tax Rates and Credits
Your bracket determines your tax owed.
Then subtract credits, which reduce tax dollar-for-dollar:
- • Child Tax Credit
- • Earned Income Credit
- • Education Credits
- • Premium Tax Credit
- • EV credits
💎 Credits are more powerful than deductions.
Determine Refund or Balance Due
Refund formula:
Tax Withheld – Total Tax – Credits = Refund
If negative → you owe.
File the Return
Best options:
IRS e-file
Tax software
CPA or tax attorney
⚠️ Paper filing increases the chance of delays and errors.
Attorney Warnings — 5 Audit Triggers
- 1
Underreporting income
IRS matches all forms
- 2
High 1099-K transactions not reported
Payment apps are tracked
- 3
Improper home office deductions
Must meet strict criteria
- 4
Mixing business and personal expenses
Keep clear separation
- 5
Not reporting cryptocurrency trades
All crypto sales are taxable events
Important Deadlines
April 15
File or get extension
October 15
Final deadline with extension
Quarterly taxes:
April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15
⚖️Summary
The tax process is: Determine requirements → organize documents → choose deductions → calculate income → apply credits → submit return accurately