Step 1: Gather your documents first
Pull together your:
- W-2s
- Any 1099s
- Last year’s return
- Social Security numbers for dependents
- Receipts for deductions you plan to claim.
Step 2: Choose how you’ll file
| Method | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| E-file with guided tax software | Free federal return; $15 per state return (Credit Karma Tax) | Filers with any tax situation who want personalized guidance as they e-file |
| Paper return | Free | Filers without reliable internet access |
Step 3: Pick the right filing status
Choosing the right filing status for your situation is important since it affects your:
Review the five filing statuses before making your selection:
- Single: Unmarried, divorced, or separated filers.
- Married filing jointly: Married couples filing one return together.
- Married filing separately: Married but filing independent returns.
- Head of household: Unmarried (or considered unmarried) and paid more than ½ the household costs for a qualifying person.
- Qualifying surviving spouse: Filers whose spouse passed away within the two prior tax years, have not remarried, and have a qualifying child.
Step 4: Enter your information and review
Follow along with the prompts from the guided tax software or use the instructions on your paper form. A single error can delay a refund by weeks, so you’ll want to make sure you double-check essential information like:
- Social Security numbers
- Math on any manual entries
- Your bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
- Your mailing address
Step 5: E-file and track your refund
E-filing with direct deposit is the fastest combination—most refunds arrive within 21 days. E-filing your own taxes also helps catch simple math errors before submission, something a paper return can’t do.
You can check the status of your return with Where’s My Refund after it’s been accepted by the IRS.
What happens if you make a mistake
Small errors, like a typo or minor math mistake, are often corrected by the IRS automatically or flagged with a simple notice rather than a penalty. Bigger corrections, like unreported income, can usually be fixed by filing an amended return once you catch the issue. Filing by yourself doesn’t mean you’re on your own if something needs fixing later; you can amend your return with Credit Karma Tax.
