The basic steps to file your tax return yourself

Filing a tax return means reporting your income to the IRS and calculating how much tax you owe or how much they owe you. You can file on paper by mailing Form 1040 and supporting documents to the IRS, or you can file electronically using tax software or a tax professional. Most people file between January and April, though you can file earlier once you have all your documents.

The IRS does not require you to use a specific method — paper, software, and paid preparers are all valid. Your choice depends on how complex your situation is, how much you want to spend, and how comfortable you are with the process. Someone with a simple W-2 job and no dependents can often file in under an hour. Someone with self-employment income, rental property, or multiple income sources usually needs more time or professional help.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Social Security number, income documents (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements), and records of deductions or credits before you start.
  • The IRS accepts paper returns mailed to a regional processing center, electronic filing through tax software, or filing through a tax professional.
  • Filing electronically is faster and more accurate than paper, and the IRS will tell you within 24 hours if your return was accepted.
  • If you owe money, you can pay when you file or set up a payment plan; if you are owed money, the IRS sends a refund by check or direct deposit.
  • The deadline to file is usually April 15, but you can request a six-month extension if you need more time.

Gather your income and deduction documents first

Before you open tax software or sit down with a form, collect every document that shows money coming in or going out. If you worked as an employee, your employer sends you a W-2 by January 31. If you received income from a bank, investment account, or freelance work, you will receive a 1099 form — the exact type depends on the source (1099-INT for interest, 1099-NEC for self-employment, 1099-DIV for dividends). If you are self-employed, gather receipts for business expenses, mileage logs, and records of what you paid for equipment or supplies.

For deductions, collect receipts or statements for anything you plan to deduct: mortgage interest statements, property tax bills, charitable donation records, medical expense receipts, or student loan interest statements. If you take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, you do not need to gather these — the IRS gives you a flat deduction amount based on your filing status. For 2024, the standard deduction ranges from about $14,000 to $28,000 depending on whether you are single, married, or over 65, but this amount changes each year.

Choose between filing yourself, using software, or hiring a professional

Filing on paper means printing Form 1040, filling it out by hand, and mailing it to the IRS address for your region. This is free but slow — the IRS takes weeks to process paper returns, and you will not know if it was accepted until you receive a notice. You also have to do all the math yourself, which increases the chance of errors.

Tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct walks you through questions about your income and deductions, calculates your tax, and files electronically. Most charge between $0 and $200 depending on how complex your return is. The IRS Free File program offers free software to households earning under about $79,000 per year. Electronic filing is faster — the IRS confirms receipt within 24 hours — and the software catches many common mistakes before you submit.

A tax professional (CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer) meets with you, gathers your documents, and files on your behalf. This costs $150 to $500 or more depending on complexity, but removes the work from your shoulders and often finds deductions you would miss. This route makes sense if you are self-employed, own rental property, have significant investment income, or are unsure whether you should itemize or take the standard deduction.

File electronically or by mail

Electronic filing is the faster and more reliable method. You enter your information into tax software or give it to a tax professional, who submits it to the IRS electronically. The IRS confirms that your return was received and accepted within 24 hours. If there is a problem, they contact you by mail within a few weeks. If everything is correct, they process your return and send any refund within 21 days if you chose direct deposit, or longer if you requested a check.

Paper filing means printing your completed Form 1040 and any supporting schedules, signing and dating them, and mailing them to the IRS service center for your state. The IRS publishes the correct mailing address on the Form 1040 instructions. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks or longer, and you will not know if the IRS received it until they send you a notice. If you make an error, they will contact you by mail, which adds weeks to the back-and-forth.

If you file electronically and owe money, you can pay immediately through the software, by phone, or through the IRS website. If you file on paper and owe money, include a check with your return or pay separately through the IRS payment portal. Either way, you can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.

Understand refunds and payment plans

A refund happens when you paid more in taxes during the year (through paycheck withholding or estimated tax payments) than you actually owe. The IRS sends the overpayment back to you. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the refund usually arrives within 21 days. If you requested a check, it takes longer. You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website using your Social Security number and filing status.

If you owe money, you have options. You can pay the full amount when you file. You can pay in installments through an IRS payment plan — short-term plans (120 days or less) are free, while long-term plans charge a setup fee and monthly interest. You can also request a short extension to pay if you need a few more weeks. The IRS will not penalize you as heavily if you set up a plan than if you simply do not pay.

Request an extension if you need more time

The standard deadline to file is April 15 each year. If you cannot meet that date, you can request a six-month extension by filing Form 4868 before April 15. This gives you until October 15 to file your return. Filing an extension does not extend the deadline to pay taxes you owe — if you think you will owe money, you should estimate what you owe and pay it by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest, even if you have not filed yet.

You can file Form 4868 on paper, through tax software, or through a tax professional. There is no fee. The IRS assumes your request is granted unless you have a history of not filing or paying. An extension buys you time to gather documents or work with a tax professional, but it does not change what you owe or when you should pay it.

Common mistakes to avoid when filing

The most common errors are transposing numbers (writing 1234 instead of 1243), forgetting to sign the return, mismatching your name or Social Security number on the form, and forgetting to attach required documents like W-2s or 1099s. If you file electronically, the software catches most of these before you submit. If you file on paper, double-check your math and make sure every number matches your documents.

Another frequent mistake is claiming deductions you are not may have access to to or forgetting deductions you may have access to for. If you are unsure whether you can deduct something — home office expenses, business meals, education costs — look it up on the IRS website or ask a tax professional before filing. Claiming something incorrectly can trigger an audit, which means the IRS asks for proof and may charge you back taxes, penalties, and interest.

Finally, do not ignore IRS notices. If the IRS sends you a letter saying something on your return does not match their records (usually because a W-2 or 1099 they received does not match what you reported), respond within the deadline they give you. Ignoring it can lead to penalties and collection action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return if I did not earn much money?

It depends on your income and filing status. The IRS sets a threshold each year — for 2024, a single person under 65 generally does not have to file if their income was under about $14,000. However, if you had taxes withheld from your paychecks, you should file to get a refund. Check the IRS website or ask a tax professional whether you are required to file.

What happens if I file late?

If you file after April 15 without requesting an extension, the IRS charges a failure-to-file penalty (usually 5% of the tax owed per month, up to 25%). If you also owe taxes and do not pay by April 15, you owe a failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month) plus interest. Filing an extension before April 15 removes the failure-to-file penalty, though you still owe the failure-to-pay penalty if you do not pay by April 15.

Can I file my taxes for free?

Yes, if your household income is under about $79,000, you can use IRS Free File software at no cost. The IRS website lists which software providers participate. If your income is higher or you prefer to work with a person, you will need to pay for software or a tax professional, though some nonprofits offer free tax preparation to low-income households.

What if I made a mistake on a return I already filed?

You can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This tells the IRS what you reported originally and what the correct information is. You have three years from the original filing date to amend a return. File the amended return on paper and mail it to the IRS — you cannot amend electronically.

How long should I keep my tax documents?

Keep your W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and other supporting documents for at least three years after you file. The IRS can audit a return up to three years after filing, and you will need these documents to prove what you reported. If you claimed a loss or did not report income you should have, keep records for six years or longer.