Full answer
Filing federal income taxes involves reporting your income from all sources for the prior calendar year and calculating whether you owe the IRS money or are owed a refund. The standard filing deadline is April 15 (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend/holiday). An extension to October 15 can be filed with Form 4868, but it only extends the filing deadline — not any payment deadline.
The documents you'll need depend on your situation. W-2 forms from employers report your wages and withholding. 1099 forms cover freelance income, bank interest, stock dividends, and retirement distributions. You'll also need your Social Security Number, last year's AGI (adjusted gross income) for e-file verification, and records for any deductions you plan to claim.
IRS Free File at irs.gov/freefile provides free guided filing for taxpayers with income under approximately $79,000. For simple returns (W-2 income, standard deduction), this is the best option — it's free, directly accepted by the IRS, and typically generates a refund within 21 days for e-filers who opt for direct deposit. For more complex returns, TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct offer paid software with step-by-step guidance.
The standard deduction for 2025 is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly. Itemizing deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes up to $10,000) is only beneficial if your itemized total exceeds these amounts — the vast majority of filers take the standard deduction.
This is general information — consult a financial advisor or licensed tax professional for personalized guidance, especially for self-employment income, rental properties, major life events, or business ownership.