Aug. 28, 2017  WASHINGTON –– Hurricane Harvey victims in parts of Texas have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

For many parents, the idea of getting their kids ready for back-to-school conjures up both a welcome relief and a financial frenzy. According to NEAToday.org, in 2016, parents spent $200, on average, per elementary student and $330 and $375 per middle and high school student, respectively. That is a lot of paper and pencils!  

For many, being in the position to either sell your primary residence or rent the property is a powerful one. Rental income can be a great additional source of income and the investment, if managed properly against the rest of one’s financial portfolio, can contribute to a nice tax shelter. 

Thinking about income taxes should not just be an end-of-year or pre-April-15-panic occurrence. The well-informed taxpayer will think about these seven mid-year tax tips that could help save on his next income tax filing, as well as yours. 

The 2018 health savings account (HSA) guidelines were recently released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These guidelines outline the inflation-adjusted contribution, deductible, and out-of-pocket spending limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for calendar year 2018. 

If you discover an error after filing your return, you may need to amend your return. The IRS may correct mathematical or clerical errors on a return and may accept returns without certain required forms or schedules.

In these instances, there's no need to amend your return. However, do file an amended return if there's a change in your filing status, income, deductions, or credits. Use Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040 (PDF), Form 1040A (PDF), Form 1040EZ (PDF), Form 1040NR (PDF), Form 1040NR-EZ (PDF), or to change amounts previously adjusted by the IRS.

You can also use Form 1040X to make a claim for a carryback due to a loss or unused credit; however, you may also be able to use Form 1045 (PDF), Application for Tentative Refund, instead of Form 1040X. Also, if the Form 8938 (PDF), Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, applies to you, file it with an annual return or an amended return. See the Form 8938 Instructions for more information.

Learn more about income tax planning from the Zinner & Co. tax team

Many clients ask if it is more advantageous to pay quarterly tax estimates or utilize their tax withholding. I wish there were a simple, cookie-cutter answer. However, as no two taxpayers are alike, the same goes for the manner in which one can pay one’s taxes. 

I pay all the taxes owed, and not a penny more” – Mitt Romney

For many taxpayers, the dread of gathering information, preparing a tax return, and filing it is tedious and time consuming. However, just as the sun shines brightest after a rain, cheers and smiles replace the angst of prep when the tax refund check makes its way to the bank account. 

“I’m going to … take a trip, buy a TV, go shopping…” After all, a common thought when receiving the refund is “it’s my money AND it is a refund! I should live a little.”

From IRS.gov 

IR-2017-80, April 12, 2017                                                                   

WASHINGTON — With the April 18 deadline fast approaching, the Internal Revenue Service today offered taxpayers still working on their 2016 taxes a number of tips.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically. Doing so, whether through e-file or IRS Free File, vastly reduces tax return errors, as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. And best of all, there is a free option for everyone. Whether filing electronically or on paper, be sure to keep a copy of your tax return.

In addition, the IRS offers these last-minute tips:

From the IRS newsroom: 

All taxpayers should file on time, even if they can’t pay what they owe. This saves them from potentially paying a failure to file penalty. Taxes are due by the original due date of the return.

 Here are four tips for those who can’t pay their taxes in full by the April 18 due date: