Complete Guide to Tax Filing

Tax season hits, and suddenly everyone's scrambling. Last year, a friend of mine realized at 11 PM on April 14th that he couldn't remember his prior year's AGI—and without it, the IRS wouldn't accept his electronic return. He ended up filing a paper extension and waiting weeks longer than necessary. Don't be that person.

Whether you're earning your first paycheck or you've switched from W-2 employment to freelancing, understanding tax preparation saves you from expensive mistakes. This guide walks through document gathering, choosing between DIY software and professional help, completing your actual return, and handling whatever comes after submission.

What You Need Before You File

Starting your tax return without the right paperwork is like baking without checking if you have flour—you'll get halfway through and have to stop everything.

January 31st is when W-2 forms must reach employees. These single-page documents summarize your annual earnings plus how much federal and state tax your employer already withheld from your paychecks. Working multiple jobs means tracking down multiple W-2s—you need every single one.

Freelance or do side gigs? Any client who paid you $600 or more during the year should mail a 1099-NEC form. Got paid through Venmo or PayPal for business transactions totaling $5,000 or more? Payment processors now report that income to the IRS via Form 1099-K.

Investment accounts generate their own paperwork. Banks send 1099-INT forms for interest exceeding $10. Broker...