How to do Taxes – Tax Filing Guide for Beginners

A step-by-step guide on the basics of how to file taxes if you are new to the process or unsure of what to do. It explains tax preparation, necessary documents, tax deductions, tax credits, and tax return filing status. A simple and easy to understand tax filing guide for those first-time filing their taxes or those who want an overview of the process. Learn tax filing 101 and how to to file confidently and maximize your tax savings. It breaks down the complex concepts of filing your taxes to the IRS into simple and easy-to-understand explanations.

How to do Taxes – Tax Filing Guide

Here we provide a tutorial and answer questions for beginners including:

What is the purpose of filing taxes? What types of income forms may I receive for tax filing? What is the W-2 form and when do I receive it? What are some common types of 1099 forms? What is IRS Form 1098E and what is it used for? What are the most common tax filing statuses? What is the difference between married filing jointly and single filing? What is a dependent and how does it affect my taxes? What are some options for preparing my taxes? How can I determine if I am eligible for tax deductions and credits?

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For more help with taxes we suggest TurboTax.  (This is an affiliate link and we may receive compensation if you use this service, at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support, as it helps us create more content for you.)

If your tax situation is complex, it is strongly recommended to use a tax filing software or seek the assistance of a certified public accountant (CPA) to ensure accuracy and compliance. This video provides an overview of the basic filing process, but does not cover more complicated tax scenarios. Remember that every individual’s tax situation is unique, so it is essential to consult the official IRS instructions when preparing your tax return on your own.

How to do Taxes

We can help you if you have any questions or are just starting to understand the basics of taxes.

Do you feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to tackle your taxes first time? We’ve got your back! In this video, I will be your personal guide and take you through the entire tax filing process. You’ll be able to file your taxes confidently and with all the knowledge you need by the end of the video. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Let’s get started to make tax filing easy.

Hello! Are you ready to file your taxes? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. However, it is actually quite simple. This video will walk you through the steps of filing your taxes.

First, why do we do this?

Are you interested in the details of taxes? Let me tell you. The government will want their share of the money you earn throughout the year. Taxes are money that we pay to finance our government. Your employer will take a portion of your monthly paycheck to pay taxes. You’ll be refunded by the IRS if they take out too much. If they took out too much, they’ll get a refund. Your tax return is basically a report that compares how much income you have, what you should have paid and how much actually you paid.

Step 1: Gather your documents:

Gather all necessary documents. You will need to gather all necessary documents, including your W-2 form, 1099 forms, and other forms showing your income and tax withholding.

Are you ready to tackle taxes? Let’s get started by gathering all necessary paperwork. A few forms are required, including your W2 from the employer, a 1099 IN for interest income, a stock market earnings 1099 B, and a 1098E for student loan interest. These forms typically arrive in the mail between January-February, so be on the lookout for them. Once you have all the forms you need, you can start your tax return.

Let’s now get a better idea of taxes and what to do. Your employer will most likely send you the W-2 form. This form shows how much income you have earned and how much was deducted for taxes. For interest income earned by a bank, the 1099 INT is required. This form will be sent to you by the bank in January if you have earned more than $10 in interest income. The 1099 B is for stock market activity. It shows how much you made and lost from your investments as well as dividends, interest income, and dividends. If you have student loans payments, you will receive a 1098 E Form which details how much student loan interest you paid. This form is especially useful because student loan interest may be a tax deduction that can help lower your taxes.

Step 2: Determine Your Filing Status:

Once you have all your documents, it’s time to determine your filing status. This is crucial because it will help you determine your tax rate and what deductions or credits you are eligible for. Single, married filing jointly and head of household are the most common filing statuses.

Find out if your parents are able to claim your dependent status: Your parents may be able claim you as their dependent on your tax return if they provide financial assistance. This could impact your eligibility for tax benefits. It is important to discuss this with your parents prior to filing.

Step 3: Select your filing method

Next, choose the method you prefer to file your taxes. There are three options: using tax software, filing a paper return and hiring a tax professional. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages so you need to pick the one that suits your needs.

Step 4: Fill out your tax forms

After you have chosen your filing method, it is time to complete your tax forms. You will need the 1040 form, which is the most commonly used form for individual tax returns. Depending on your circumstances, there may be additional forms that you will need to fill out. It may help to consult a professional or use tax software.

You did a great job collecting all the tax forms. Now it is time to prepare your tax return. There are a few options available to you, including tax preparation software, hiring an accountant, or doing it yourself. Tax software is great if you are tech-savvy and have an understanding of taxes. These programs will help you navigate the process and ensure you do not miss any credits or deductions that you are eligible for. A certified public accountant can be a great way for you to get expert advice and make sure your taxes are done correctly. If you feel confident enough to tackle the challenge, the IRS has the forms and instructions you need to help you complete your tax return.

Once you have all of your tax documents, it is time to prepare your tax return. There are a number of options available to you, including using tax preparation software or hiring a professional. If you are familiar with computers and have an understanding of taxes, tax preparation software can be a great choice. There are many versions available from these software companies, including free versions for basic returns, deluxe versions that can be used for investors, and self-employed versions for people who own their own businesses. TurboTax and H&R Block are some of the most well-known software providers. Each provider offers user-friendly interfaces that will help you navigate the process and ensure you get all deductions and credits.

For those with complicated financial circumstances or who don’t feel comfortable with taxation, it is a good idea to hire a tax professional such as a certified public accountant. You will get personalized advice from them and they will ensure your taxes are done correctly. If you are confident that you can do your taxes correctly, you can use instructions and forms provided by IRS to complete your tax return.

Step 5: Double-check Your Work

Double-check everything before you file your tax return. This will ensure that your work is correct and complete. Tax software is a great tool to help you find errors and missing information.

Whatever option you choose, accuracy and completeness are essential when it comes time to prepare your tax return. Double-check your numbers and make sure you have all necessary documentation. You don’t want to miss any credits or deductions you may be eligible for. After your tax return has been completed, you have two options: file it electronically or mail it to the IRS. Don’t forget to pay your taxes on time to avoid penalties.

No matter which option you choose it is important that you have all necessary documentation and that your tax returns are accurate. Double-check your numbers and ensure that you claim all deductions and credits you are entitled to. After you complete your tax return, it can be filed electronically or mailed to the IRS. To avoid penalties, pay taxes on time if you owe them.

Step 6: Filing your Return

It’s now time to file your tax return. You will need to mail your paper return to the IRS if you are filing it on paper. If you use tax software, or hire a professional to do the filing, they will handle it for you.

That’s it! This is it! For any questions or concerns you may have, you can always contact a tax professional. Good luck!

While filing taxes can seem daunting, with the right tools, it is possible to make it easy. Make sure you have all your paperwork together, find the most suitable tax preparation method for you, double-check it for accuracy, and file and pay taxes on time.

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Money Instructor does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding your own situation. Although the information has been researched and vetted beforehand, it may not be current at the time of viewing.

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How to Fill Out 2022 Form 1040 | Taxes 2023

Learn how to correctly fill out the 2022 IRS Form 1040 for the 2023 tax year. Form 1040 is the U.S. individual income tax return. It is used to report an individual’s taxable income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This guide includes an overview of the Form 1040 and step-by-step instructions for completion. Updated for filing the 2022 tax return.

 

Learn the basics of the IRS Form 1040, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by examining a step-by-step example of a single taxpayer’s form with no dependents. Understand how to fill out the form line by line, including information on the standard deduction, tax tables for 2022, tax bracket calculations, and more.

This guide provides clear instructions and an example to help you prepare your own Form 1040 with confidence. Includes information on filing, deductions, exemptions, tax credits, tax liability, wages, earned income, interest income, capital gains, taxable refund, and taxable payments.

Introductory Video

Before watching the video, it’s important to note that if you’re new to taxes or just starting out, we highly recommend watching the following introductory video first. It’ll provide a solid foundation for the concepts we’ll be covering.

How to do Taxes – Tax Filing Guide for Beginners

 

Forms and Documents

Information from the IRS website, where you can also find instructions and the forms you need to fill.

 

Need more help?

For more help with taxes we suggest TurboTax.  (This is an affiliate link and we may receive compensation if you use this service, at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support, as it helps us create more content for you.)

If your tax situation is complex, it is strongly recommended to use a tax filing software or seek the assistance of a certified public accountant (CPA) to ensure accuracy and compliance. This video provides an overview of the basic process of filling out Form 1040, but does not cover more complicated tax scenarios. Remember that every individual’s tax situation is unique, so it is essential to consult the official IRS instructions when preparing your tax return on your own.

1040 Form Information

In general, the form must be filed annually by April 15th (or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday) by all individuals who have taxable income for the previous year.

The form has several sections for reporting income, deductions, and credits, as well as personal information such as name, address, Social Security number, and filing status. Some common items that are reported on Form 1040 include wages, salaries, tips, and other earnings; interest and dividends; capital gains and losses; and income from rental properties, businesses, and investments.

In addition to the standard Form 1040, there are several schedules that may be required to be filed along with it, depending on the individual’s specific tax situation. These schedules include Schedule A (Itemized Deductions), Schedule B (Interest and Ordinary Dividends), Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), and Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses), among others.

It’s important to note that some taxpayers might be eligible to file Form 1040-SR (U.S. Tax Return for Seniors) instead of Form 1040. This is a simplified version of the standard Form 1040, designed for taxpayers who are age 65 or older.

 

Need more Time?

  • How to File a Tax Extension – In this video, learn how to file a tax extension to get some extra time to prepare your tax documents. You’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to file IRS Form 4868 and tips to use your extension wisely.

 

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Money Instructor does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding your own situation. Although the information has been researched and vetted beforehand, it may not be current at the time of viewing.

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When are Taxes due in 2023?

Are you ready for taxes in 2023? When is the last day to file taxes?  It’s time to mark your calendars for the federal tax filing deadline.


This video provides a brief overview of tax deadlines you might need to know. These deadlines could be different for self-employed people or farmers. Also, the deadlines for state taxes may be different from federal tax deadlines. It’s a good idea, if you are uncertain about your tax deadline schedule, to consult the IRS or a professional tax advisor. Avoid penalties and interest by filing on time and understand the importance of e-filing and direct deposit.

Tax Filing Dates for 2023

Are you ready for taxes in 2023? It is time again to mark your calendars for the tax filing deadline.

According to the IRS, for most taxpayers, Tuesday, April 18th 2023 is the deadline for filing 2022 tax returns, unless it is extended by a local state holiday.   It is normally April 15th, but  due to the Emancipation Day holiday observed in the District of Columbia, it’s later this year.

If you request an extension, you have until Monday, October 16th 2023 to file.

Planning for the nation’s filing season is a huge undertaking and IRS teams have been working to prepare. This year, they have been hiring additional staff to help taxpayers in person, an to fill customer representative positions.  They remind taxpayers that there are important steps they could take to ensure that their refund and tax returns don’t get delayed.

The IRS usually starts accepting tax returns in late January. That gives taxpayers nearly three months to gather income statements, fill out a return, and pay outstanding taxes.

According to IRS officials,  to avoid delays and snags, it’s important that the numbers on the return are correct and filled out completely.

Also, filing electronically with direct deposit is the best way to avoid delays, and speed up your refund.

It is important for taxpayers to be aware of the deadlines for filing their tax returns, as failure to file a tax return or pay taxes owed by the deadline can result in penalties and interest charges. The IRS also offers extensions of time to file for certain taxpayers who are unable to meet the regular filing deadline.

 

 

Money Instructor does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding your own situation.

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What is a Slowcession? Slow Recession

Learn about what is a slowcession, where economic growth slows down, but an economic downturn is avoided.  With a slowsession, or slow recession, the Federal Reserve’s plan to raise interest rates hopefully helps lower inflation without causing a recession. Cheap oil prices, less inflation, and a strong housing market, are possible reasons for a slowsession.

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What is a slowsession?

First let’s make sure we understand what is a recession?

A recession is a time when the economy is not doing well and lots of people lose their jobs and businesses have trouble making money. A slowcession is similar, but the economy doesn’t get as bad as it does during a recession.

Some think a slowcession is more likely to happen in the U.S. this year than a full-blown recession. Even though the economy will face some challenges, like more unemployment and less growth, there are things that could help us avoid a full-blown recession.

For example, if inflation, which is when prices for things like food and gas go up, so it costs more money to buy things,   is high, it can be hard for people to afford the things they need.

However, if inflation  goes down and people keep spending money, it could help the economy not get as bad as a recession.

Many people are worried that a recession might happen this year, but some think it’s not a sure thing. They believe that if we’re lucky and the government makes smart decisions about how to handle the economy, we might be able to avoid a full-blown recession and just have a slowcession instead.

 

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What are the Types of Money?

Learn what are the main types of money. What is money? Learn about the main types of money including commodity money, representative money, fiat money, and bank money. Also learn why intrinsic value is important.

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What is Money? Functions

Learn what is money and what are its functions.

Money is a commodity that has been accepted by all as an economic medium. It is used to express prices and values. As a currency, it circulates anonymously between people and countries, facilitating trade and is the main measure of wealth.

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Money is a store of value.

Money can be thought of as a unit of account.

Money can be used as a medium of exchange.

Money may serve as a standard for deferred payments.

 

 

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Emergency Savings Fund. How much Emergency Money should I Save?

Learn how much to save for your emergency fund. Emergency savings are designed to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies. You can use emergency savings to pay unexpected bills, small or large, that are not included in your monthly spending and expenses.

 

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What is an emergency fund? An emergency fund is a cash reserve designed to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies. Examples of common emergency situations include home repairs, car repairs, medical bills, and income loss. You can use emergency savings to pay unexpected bills, small or large, that are not included in your monthly spending and expenses. It is important to understand why you need it.

The first thing you should do with your savings is set up an emergency savings fund.  In case you lose your job, try to save six months of your income to ensure you have enough money to pay for essential expenses. Even if you have only three months of income to save, it’s a good start.  Twelve months of savings is even better if you can do it.  If you don’t find yourself in a dire situation, having an emergency fund can be a great way to help cover unexpected expenses.

Companies are always looking for ways to reduce costs which can lead to furloughs or layoffs. In the worst case scenario, it’s essential to have a cushion to supplement or replace your income. It is important to remember that emergency funds must be readily available.   So consider a bank savings account for your emergency funds.

 

 

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Why is Everything so Expensive? Inflation

Learn the basics of why everything is so expensive in 2022. Prices going up for food, gas, rent, housing, and other things.  A video short lesson.

 

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The Simple way to Build Wealth

A simple strategy to build wealth, by understanding earning, spending, saving, and investing money. A basic techniques for beginners. Spend less, avoid debt, and achieve your financial goals.

 

 

 

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Earning, Spending, Saving (and Investing)

Learn about earning, spending, saving, and investing money.  Learn how they are related and how you can build wealth.

 

Earning

Do you have an allowance? Have you done chores and got paid? Do you have a job?  If you have, then you have earned money. Earnings refer to the money you earn from a job. People earn money by having some sort of job. You can work providing a good or service.

Spending

Spending is the act of giving money to purchase goods or services. Everybody has to decide what they’ll do with the money that they earn. They will spend it on the things they need or want.  You can’t have everything you want, so you have to make important decisions about the things you spend your money on.

Saving

Instead of spending, will you save it? It’s the process of putting aside money for future uses, and not spending it immediately. You can save money to achieve short-term goals, such as saving to buy new clothes, or a gift, or long-term goals such as buying a car, or house. Also, saving money can help you cover unexpected expenses such as medical expenses, or pay for repairs for your car.

Investing

Investing is something you can do with the money you save. Its related to saving, but with investing you take bigger risks with your money with the hope that they will increase in value. Investing is the process of buying assets, also called investments, with the hope that they will increase in value over time or provide income payments.  It’s a way to hopefully increase the amount of money you have.

Wealth

So how is earning, spending, saving, and investing related?    Its all related  to wealth. Saving and investing is about building wealth. We can summarize it all as

WEALTH = what you EARN (work, investments) – what you SPEND.

If you spend more than what you earn, you are in danger of losing wealth and going into debt. If you already have debt, it will grow bigger. By spending less than what you earn, and saving your money, you will create wealth.

Understanding earning, spending, saving, and investing is the foundation of smart personal finance. Mastering these skills is key to mastering money, and achieving your financial goals.

 

 

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Tax Deductions for Teachers 2022 | Expenses 2021


Update on the teacher tax deduction for 2022 for 2021 tax year. A teacher’s guide to the educator expense deduction.

Overview of the Educator Expense Deduction

If you are a teacher, generally, you can claim the educator expense deduction if you have paid for classroom supplies and other materials from your own pocket during the tax year. It is an important tax break for teachers. Here is an general overview of the deduction.

 

Qualifying Criteria

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Educator Expense Deduction:
• You were a teacher, counselor, principal, or aide to students from kindergarten through 12th grades.
• You worked at least 900 hours in a school that is state-certified to offer elementary or secondary education. This is applicable to all public and private schools, as well as religious schools.
• You spent money on qualified educator expenses.

 

Qualifying Educator Expenses

Here are just a few examples of items that can be deducted for the Educator Expense Deduction
• school supplies
• books
• Computer equipment (webcams and headsets) and software
• Athletic equipment for physical education teachers
• Generally, any item purchased that is suitable for the classroom and useful to students.

Only if you don’t receive reimbursement for classroom expenses, can you deduct them. You cannot deduct classroom expenses if you have received reimbursement from a school, teacher union, parent-teacher association, or another entity for the cost of materials.

 

COVID-19-related Expenses

The Educator Expense Deduction allows for deductions of

  • personal protective equipment or PPE
  • sanitizers
  • disinfectants
  • other supplies used for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus

 

Claiming Tax Deductions

Teachers may claim the Educator Expense Deduction, regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction.
* Teachers can deduct up to $250.
* A joint return filed by two married teachers can be deducted up to $250 each, with a maximum amount of $500.

Note: In 2022, the amount will increase from $250 to $300 for single taxpayers.  In 2022, qualifying teachers can claim $300 for expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies, computer equipment (including software and services) and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom.

 


Reducing your Educator Expense Deduction

In certain situations, your Educator Expense deduction may need to be reduced. The IRS requires that you subtract the following from the deduction:
• Interest on U.S. savings bond interest that you were eligible to receive tax-free as you used the money for higher education expenses.
• Distributions from 529 Plans that you did not have to declare as taxable income.
• Withdraw tax-free from Coverdell education savings account
• reimbursements you receive for expenses that aren’t reported to you in box 1 of your Form W-2


Keep Track of your Expenses

Keep good records of all classroom expenses to claim your tax-deductible expenses as an educator.
• Keep your receipts separate from your other receipts.
• Record all eligible purchases in an appointment planner or book.


This has been a general overview of the deduction. Be sure to consult your own tax advisor regarding your own situation.

Here is the page in the 1040 instructions.

Adjustments to Income Line 11 Educator Expenses
Adjustments to Income Line 11 Educator Expenses

 

 

This material has been prepared for educational and general informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding your own situation.

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I was playing Wordle and this happens…

Do you play Wordle, the viral online word game? Here is a fun class or lesson starter for the TikTok or YouTube generation of students on the topics of money and saving. Discuss with your students the importance of saving money and the problem of having too much debt, especially credit card debt.

 

@moneymittens I was playing Wordle and this happens… #moneytok ♬ original sound – money mittens

 

 
 
 
 
 
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What is Wordle, and why is it so popular?

Wordle is a web-based puzzle where players must guess a valid five letter word in six attempts or less. The tiles’ colors will change after each guess to indicate how close you were to the word. Everybody is given the same word every day, but after 24 hours the word changes. Millennials are the ones who are most interested in the game.

The game was created in collaboration with Josh Wardle (Wordle refers to his last name). Wardle, a Brooklyn-based software engineer, created the guessing game.  It’s just a fun game.

Where can you play Wordle?

The web-based game Wordle can be played on a desktop browser or mobile device at www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/. The website is simple and does not require complicated sign-ups. Simply go to the website and start playing.

Wordle might seem to be the most popular mobile game at the moment, but it still has some way to go before it can compete with other games, like Candy Crush and Words with Friends. Wordle is still popular and people are talking about it.

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