Deductions
5 commonly overlooked deductions
Every year, filers leave money on the table simply because they don't know a deduction applies to them. A few worth double-checking: state sales tax if you made a major purchase and don't pay state income tax; educator expenses for teachers who buy classroom supplies out of pocket; student loan interest paid by a parent on a loan taken out in the student's name; out-of-pocket charitable expenses like ingredients for a charity bake sale or mileage driven for volunteer work; and self-employed health insurance premiums, which can be deducted even if you don't itemize. Bring documentation for anything you're unsure about — it costs nothing to ask.
Deadlines
Key tax deadlines to know
The federal filing deadline is typically April 15 (pushed to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday). If you need more time, filing Form 4868 gets you an automatic extension to October 15 — but an extension to file is not an extension to pay, so any estimated tax owed is still due in April to avoid penalties. Self-employed individuals and anyone with significant untaxed income should also track quarterly estimated tax deadlines: roughly April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year.
IRS Notices
What to do if you get an IRS notice
An IRS letter can be alarming, but most notices are routine — a math correction, a request for missing information, or a notice that a payment was received. Don't ignore it, and don't panic either. Read it carefully to identify the notice number (usually in the top right corner), note any response deadline, and avoid the temptation to call the number on a suspicious-looking notice without verifying it's genuinely from the IRS. As an Enrolled Agent, I can review the notice, explain what it actually means, and represent you directly with the IRS if a response is needed.
Self-Employment
W-2 vs. 1099: what it actually means for your taxes
A W-2 means an employer withholds taxes from your paycheck throughout the year. A 1099 means no taxes were withheld — you're responsible for setting money aside and paying it yourself, typically through quarterly estimated payments. 1099 income also opens the door to deducting legitimate business expenses (home office, mileage, equipment, software) that W-2 employees generally can't claim. If you've recently shifted from W-2 to 1099 work, it's worth a conversation before tax season, not during it, so you're not caught off guard by a balance due.
Filing Strategy
Should you itemize or take the standard deduction?
The standard deduction is a flat amount that reduces your taxable income with no paperwork required. Itemizing means adding up specific deductible expenses — mortgage interest, state and local taxes (capped), charitable donations, certain medical expenses — and using that total instead, if it's larger than the standard deduction. For most filers today, especially after recent tax law changes raised the standard deduction significantly, the standard deduction wins. But homeowners with a large mortgage, or anyone with substantial charitable giving or medical expenses in a given year, should have both numbers calculated before assuming.
International
Tips for non-resident taxpayers filing in the U.S.
If you're a non-resident alien with U.S. income — rental property, investments, or wages — your filing obligations differ meaningfully from a U.S. citizen's. You may file Form 1040-NR instead of the standard 1040, and tax treaties between the U.S. and your home country (I frequently work with U.S.–Canada treaty situations) can significantly affect what's taxed and at what rate. If you sold U.S. real property, FIRPTA withholding rules likely applied at closing, and a return may be needed to reconcile that withholding against your actual tax liability — sometimes resulting in a refund.
Tax information on this page is provided for general educational purposes and may change as tax laws and IRS guidance are updated. It is not intended as individualized tax advice for your specific situation. Please contact The Fiscal Star to discuss how current rules apply to you.
