The old adage is true: the only things you can’t escape in life are death and taxes. In the United States, state requirements vary depending on a multitude of factors, and the federal government’s tax code is obscure. The process can be as confusing as it is inevitable.
I’ve researched and compiled all the information you need to prepare for the upcoming tax season. I’ve found answers to the most common tax questions, collected tips on starting a small business or LLC, and identified ways to get more money on your return. I also wrote a guide on Best tax servicesif you want to see how some of the most popular tax services compare. This year, I submitted an application to H&R blockso I’ll use them as an example throughout.
Here’s our guide on how to pay taxes online to get maximum benefits and minimum headaches this year.
Updated February 2026: I’ve added my own experience filing taxes with H&R Block, updated the links and information for the 2025 tax return, and added more useful tax filing content throughout.
When are 2025 taxes due?
Let’s start with the basics. Generally, your return is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the fiscal year. This is usually April 15. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it is postponed to the next business day. But for most Americans, taxes are normally due on April 15, and this year is no different. Your 2025 taxes must be filed by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
When can I start filing my taxes?
Tax season technically begins when the IRS begins accepting returns end of January. Employers are required to give their employees W-2 forms by the end of January, so that’s when the majority of Americans will receive the necessary documents to start filing. This year, January 26 was the official start date for the 2025 tax season. Although much depends on when you actually obtain the necessary documents, it is recommended to file early to avoid potential problems and stress. Filing early also reduces your chances of falling prey to identity theft, where someone pretends to be you to collect your tax refund. As a general rule, for most things, it’s better to start early than to fall behind.
What you will need to complete your self-declaration
Be sure to gather all tax documents, including W-2s or income reports, last year’s tax return, health insurance information, education-related tax documents, and any other tax or financial documents related to motor vehicle or real estate purchases or payments. I also had receipts on hand for career-related transactions for expense purposes. If you are using a new service this year, you will also need last year’s return in order to transfer any relevant information.
File your taxes online for free with the IRS
One of the easiest ways to file your federal taxes is to use the Free IRS Filing Tool. This is a service offered directly by the IRS; it does not use a third-party tax service. Any person with an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less in 2025 is qualified to use the free service.
To get started, you will need to choose the “Free File” option from IRS.gov. From there, IRS Free File will send you to an IRS partner’s website to complete your return. These partners are software publishers who are members of the non-profit association Free File Alliancea coalition of companies that provide free tax software services to U.S. citizens. This year’s partners are: FreeTaxUSA, ezTaxReturn.com, 1040NOW.NET, 1040.com, TaxAct, FileYourTaxes.com, Online Taxes at OLT.com and TaxSlayer. Find out more about providers and qualifications to submit here.
This is a good option if your income meets the eligibility criteria and your filing is relatively simple, since this free service only offers the most commonly filed forms. You’ll need to prepare documents, such as a copy of last year’s tax return, your Social Security number, and any W-2s. Once you have filed your federal tax return, you can check your online account for updates, and you will receive an email when the IRS accepts your return.
The IRS website offers a step by step guide to guide you through the process, and even IRS certified volunteers to help you with your taxes if you have a disability or speak limited English.
Since the IRS Free Filing Tool is only for federal taxes, you’ll also need to check your specific state for its tax filing requirements. The IRS website has a list of resources listed by Stateincluding taxes, employer links, information on doing business in the state, and much more. Although this list hasn’t been updated since 2023, it’s also a good place to start finding tax resources and forms specific to your state.
If you do over $89,000 or your taxes are a little more complicated (for example if you own a small business), then the IRS’s free filing tool won’t work. You will need to do a little research to compare and see which is the best tax service for your needs.
Like I said, this year I went with H&R Block DIYwhich is self-guided and free. This is a good choice for someone like me who has simple taxes and wants to file it themselves from home. (Read my full opinion for a more in-depth look at the service.)
H&R Block has been a trusted tax service provider for over 70 years and benefits from classic in-person help from a tax professional, as well as easy-to-use online tax services. H&R block provides user-friendly and holistic services as needed, including online DIY services; Attend, when you are DIYing and have a tax professional review and file it for you; and full tax preparation service from an H&R Block tax professional.
For this year’s W-2, there were several easy ways to upload, including uploading my W-2 with just the EIN (employer identification number). Because my employer provided one, it was able to automatically sync my payroll information, saving me time automatically filling out and importing information. You can also enter the information manually from the form; take a photo and upload it to the portal, where the details will be filled in for you; or upload a PDF, where the information will also be filled in automatically.
H&R block provided additional information boxes throughout, which helped me understand the process. Plus, the file upload options saved me a lot of time. I also appreciated the free AI Tax Assist, which provided additional help answering my questions, as well as the Live Tax Pro support available to ensure I got the best return possible. WIRED also offers H&R Block Coupons to save money if you decide to opt for this service.
If you have a complicated tax situation or just want some peace of mind, many of these services offer in-person or virtual assistance from a tax specialistwhose questionable credentials can range from a certified CPA to someone with an hour’s worth of training. Most services have a tiered system, from fully using online tax software to taking your taxes to an expert, which is helpful in adjusting services to suit your individual needs.
H&R Block, for example, offers several different options for depositing, as well as expert support provided (if you opt for this service) tailored to unique tax situations to ensure you get the most money back. If you have a more complicated tax situation (as was the case last year) or are a new filer who is a little uncertain, you may want to opt for H&R Block Assisted. With this service, you can complete your deposit in just one hour. There are options to simply file your taxes or meet virtually or in person with a tax expert. H&R Block has more than 60,000 business tax professionals and 9,000 offices located in every state (and within 5 miles of most Americans).
How to File Taxes for an LLC or Small Business
Declare taxes for small business or LLC is a little trickier, and this is where using one of the tax services above, with advanced programs and expert help, can save you a lot of headaches. Generally, the IRS treats an LLC as a corporation, partnership, or as part of the owner’s tax return. For income tax, an LLC with only a member is treated as separate from its owner and is subject to tax on net self-employment income.
If the LLC is a partnership, normal partnership tax rules apply and all partners will need to file a Form 1065, US Return of Partnership Income. Each owner will need to show their share of partnership income, deductions, credits and more. If the LLC is a corporation, corporate tax rules apply and it must file a Form 1120, US Corporation Income Tax Return.
How to file a tax extension
Okay, so you didn’t file earlier. We’re chronic procrastinators here, we get it. If you cannot file your return on time, you should file an extension before the tax deadline. This will extend your deadline to file your taxes and protect you from possible penalties for failure to file.
If you file an extension before tax day (April 15, 2026), that extends your filing deadline to six months later: October 15, 2026. But remember, extending the deadline to file your return doesn’t mean the deadline to pay your taxes will also be extended. If you do not pay your taxes by April 15, even if you have been granted an extension, then you may have to pay fines as well as interest on any unpaid balance.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
This can result in penalties and interest, but if you file your return as early as possible, you can minimize these penalties. If you cannot If you don’t pay the full amount, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay in installments during the year. If you forgot or simply didn’t request an extension (and owe taxes), you may face a late filing. penalty of a maximum of 5 percent of the unpaid tax (4.5 percent for late declaration and 0.5 percent for late payment). This penalty is imposed per month, and it will continue to accumulate each month until it reaches 25 percent of the unpaid tax at filing time. The government invoice also interest on unpaid amounts, which varies depending on the amount and the period due. You will need to pay your balance in full to prevent underpayment interest from accruing daily.
How long does it take to get a tax refund?
The IRS generally issues your refund within 21 days of receiving your electronically filed federal return if there are no errors or problems. If you go old school and file a paper federal return, it typically takes twice as long, about six to eight weeks, to get a refund. Deadlines for obtaining state refunds vary by state, but electronic filing generally results in faster refunds than paper filing. In many cases, if you file your taxes electronically, you can get the refund in about five business days, and about four weeks if mailed.
Where is my tax refund?
When you file your federal income tax return, you can check the status of your tax refund on the IRS website or on its mobile application, IRS2Go. Remember, each state has its own process (and timeline) for income taxes. Again, processing paper returns generally takes much longer than electronic returns. Each state uses slightly different systems to allow people to check their tax refund status. Generally, you will need two pieces of information to verify your refund.
To check your Statusyou will need your social security number (SSN). (If you don’t have an SSN, most states allow you to use different types of identification, such as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN.) In almost all states, you’ll also need to provide your refund amount. Sometimes you can round your return to the nearest whole number, but some states require the exact amount. Other states may also require additional information, like your date of birth, filing status or zip code, so you’ll need to check your state’s guidelines.
I suggest you check your refund on the IRS website First of all. Remember that this is the American governmentso your refund information may not be immediately available. The status of your refund should appear approximately 24 hours after you electronically file a current year’s return, three or four days after you electronically file a previous year’s return, or four weeks after you file a paper return. (Remember, you will need your SSN or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount to check refund status.)
What are the tax brackets for 2025?
You don’t know what tax rate you will be subject to? It all depends on whether you are single, married and filing jointly, married but filing separately, or head of household. The tax rate goes in stages, starting at 10 percent for the lowest income earners (who earn less than $11,925 as a single person), and increases to 37 percent for single people or heads of household earning more than $626,351. Here is a quick chart showing projected tax bracket amounts from 2025 to be filed in 2026.
