Tax Return Tips

Reasons and Rules for Filing an Amended Return

Once a tax return is filed, most people breathe a little easier. But it’s not uncommon to realize too late that something was left off a return, figures were misreported or some other error was made. Accuracy is essential, but, depending on the type of error, an amendment may not be required.

Read more

3 upward steps coin towers on turquoise background

Figuring out Your Correct Tax Filing Status

Understanding Your Tax Filing Status: A Key Factor in Your Tax Return Your filing status plays a crucial role in your tax return—it determines which tax forms you need, the size of your standard deduction, your eligibility for tax credits, …

Read more

Discovering a Mistake After Your Tax Return Is Filed

Discovering a Mistake After Your Tax Return Is Filed

Did you file your tax return and then realize you’d made a mistake? Perhaps you completed your return yourself and made an error in math or neglected to include a schedule that should’ve been attached. Or maybe you recently remembered some large, potentially deductible charitable donations you’d made early in the year that you’d forgotten to tell your tax professional about. Now, you may be wondering if you need to file an amended return.

Read more

RUSSO CPA Blog: Standard vs. itemized deductions

What To Know About Keeping Good Tax Records

It’s January, and tax season is right around the corner. For many people, that means scrambling to collect receipts, mileage logs, and other tax-related documents needed to prepare their tax returns. If this describes you, chances are, you’re wishing you’d kept on top of it during the year so you could avoid this scenario yet again. With this in mind, here are seven suggestions to help taxpayers like you keep good records throughout the year:

Read more

Russo CPA - What To Do if You Missed the Tax-Deadline. A middle aged man and small business owner looks at some paperwork with a worried expression on his face.

What To Do if You Missed the Tax Deadline

Tuesday, April 18, 2023, was the deadline for most taxpayers to file their tax returns. If you haven’t filed a 2022 tax return yet, it’s not too late.

First, gather any information related to income and deductions for the tax years for which a return is required to be filed, then call the office. If you are owed money, the sooner you file, the sooner you will get your refund. If you owe taxes, file and pay as soon as you can, which will stop the interest and penalties you owe.

Read more

Russo CPA Should You file an extension Federal Tax Return 2022

Federal Tax Returns: Should You File an Extension?

Obtaining a six-month extension to file is relatively easy, and there are legitimate reasons for doing so; however, there are also a few downsides. If you need more time to file your federal income tax return this year, here’s what you need to know.

Read more

Neatly stacked pennies in an ascending line on a Russo blue background with white words "Tax Tips."

What Is the Saver’s Credit?

The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, also known as the Saver’s Credit, is a special tax credit for low-and moderate-income workers. In tax year 2020, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, Saver’s Credits totaling more than $1.7 billion were claimed on about 9.4 million individual income tax returns. That’s an average of about $186 per eligible return.

Read more

Hand with watch and the the words Tax Due Dates on Russo robins egg blue background.

Eligible Families Can Claim Tax Benefits Until Nov. 17th

Starting in October, more than 9 million letters were sent out by the IRS to individuals and families who appear to qualify for a variety of key tax benefits – but did not claim them by filing a 2021 federal income tax return. Many in this group may be eligible to claim some or all of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC), the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and other tax credits depending on their personal and family situation. The letter provides a brief overview of each of these three credits. As a reminder, these and other tax benefits were expanded under last year’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other recent legislation.

Read more

Deducting Casualty Losses on a Tax Return

Every year, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters affect US citizens. The bad news is that recovery efforts after natural disasters can be costly. For instance, when hurricanes strike, they not only cause wind damage but can cause widespread flooding.

Read more

Neatly stacked pennies in an ascending line on a Russo blue background with white words "Tax Tips."

What To Know About IRS Online Accounts

Setting up an IRS Online Account is an easy and secure way for taxpayers to quickly get information about their IRS activity, such as any tax due balance, payments made, and tax records for the past several years. Taxpayers should be aware that balances update no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight, and should also allow 1 to 3 weeks for payments to show up in the payment history.

Read more