How to file for a tax extension?
Running out of time to do your taxes? Filing for a six-month extension is simple.
Josmar Taveras, USA TODAY
Few people enjoy filing their tax returns but for younger generations, the season can be particularly taxing.
In fact, more than half of Gen Z members reported they feel anxiety about doing their taxes this year, according to a recent CNET survey. Of the Gen Zers surveyed, 33% said they feared making a mistake, 18% said they worried their information could be at risk to scammers, and 15% said they were concerned they would owe more to the IRS than they could afford.
“It’s really intimidating, and every season I’m forever feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing,” Alyssa Melani, 23, told USA TODAY.
But no matter how anxiety-inducing the process may be, the April 15 deadline for filing federal tax returns is approaching. If you miss it, you could face late payment penalties and interest, unless you request an extension.
CPA and TurboTax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis said it’s not something you should wait to do until the last minute.
“The earlier the better,” Greene-Lewis said.
Here are 5 things to know before the 2025 tax season comes to an end:
You may want to file even if you don’t need to
Even if the IRS does not require you to file a return, you may still want to. If your employer withheld any portion of your pay for taxes, you may qualify for a refund.
The IRS has said it has more than $1 billion in unclaimed returns. A Talker Research survey on behalf of TurboTax found that 20% of Gen Z believe they don’t need to file tax returns.
“They make under the IRS income threshold, but they are leaving money on the table,” Greene-Lewis told USA TODAY.
Make sure you input your social security number correctly
If you’re part of the one-third of Gen Zers worried about making a mistake while filing your return, you may want to pay extra attention when inputting your social security number.
Greene-Lewis said inputting it wrong is one of the simplest yet most common mistakes that can get you into trouble when doing your taxes.
Don’t miss out on credits or deductions
Tax deductions can lower your amount of taxable income, while tax credits can reduce the amount of tax you owe. If you take some time to research them, you could save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
If you’re not sure which ones you may qualify for, USA TODAY has you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some common deductions and credits new tax return filers can take
Check if you are a dependent
If you are living with a parent or guardian, or receiving their help for tuition or living expenses, they will probably claim you as a dependent on their tax returns You’ll need to note your status as one on yours as well.
Dependents are qualifying children younger than 19, or 24 if a full-time student, according to the IRS. To qualify, dependents cannot provide more than half of their own annual financial support.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you find tax season confusing, you’re not alone. Around half of taxpayers enlist a tax professional to help them file but Gen Z is the least likely to seek professional assistance, a 2021 IRS survey found.
If you decide to file by yourself, IRS Direct File may be able to help. The program simplifies the returns process and allows taxpayers in 25 participating states to file directly online.
Several taxpayers, like Melani, also turn to family members for guidance. Others turn to social media and even AI chatbots for advice, according to the CNET survey, but experts including Greene-Lewise warn filers not to believe everything they hear online.
Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_
