Start a folder in January, not April
Every form that arrives marked "important tax document" goes in it. The single biggest cause of a delayed return is a missing 1099 that turned up in February and went in a drawer.
Taxpayer education
Understand your taxes, without the jargon.
Short, plain-English guidance. Every guide shows when it was last checked, because tax rules change.
Quick tips
A refund is not a bonus
It is your own money coming back after an interest-free loan to the government. If yours is large every year, adjusting your withholding puts that money in your pocket during the year instead.
Self-employed? Pay quarterly
Estimated payments through the year help avoid an underpayment penalty and stop the April bill from being a shock. We can work out the amounts with you.
Keep mileage as you go
A log written at the time is worth far more than a reconstruction in March. A note on your phone is fine.
An extension extends filing, not paying
An extension gives you more time to file the return, not more time to pay what you owe. Estimate and pay by the deadline, then file when ready.
A letter from the IRS is usually routine
Most notices are a mismatch between what was reported and what was filed, and most are resolved with one response. Do not ignore it, and do not panic. Bring it to us.
In-depth guides
Each guide is reviewed by a CRJ preparer before publication. These are on the way.
01
Before you file
- What documents should I gather?Coming soon
- What does my preparer need from me?Coming soon
- What happens during tax preparation?Coming soon
02
Understanding your return
- Deductions vs. creditsComing soon
- Adjusted gross income and taxable incomeComing soon
- Withholding, and why you might oweComing soon
03
Self-employed
- Which records should I keep?Coming soon
- Business vs. personal expensesComing soon
- Estimated quarterly paymentsComing soon
04
After filing
- What happens after I e-file?Coming soon
- What does a rejection mean?Coming soon
- How long should I keep my tax records?Coming soon
General information, not tax advice. This guidance explains common situations. Your circumstances may differ, so talk to us before acting on anything here.