This is the archive of CPA Now blogs posted on the PICPA website through April 30, 2025. Want more recent blogs?
CPAs Reveal the Most Popular Tax Questions
The arrival of W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and other income notices are the harbingers that tax season is upon us. Whether you go to a preparer or prepare yourself, here are some tips to help you get this task complete so you can move on to more exciting things.
By Maureen Renzi, PICPA Vice President of Communications
The arrival of W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and other income notices are the harbingers that tax season is upon us. Though CPAs have been gearing up for months, taxpayers are just now turning their attention to the task of preparing their income tax returns. Whether you go to a preparer or prepare yourself, here are some tips to help you get this task complete so you can move on to more exciting things. Why Is Filing Taxes so Complicated?
The tax code is definitely complicated, but filing your taxes doesn’t have to be. Getting your documentation together is a critical first step in simplifying the process. If you can successfully get all your documentation together, it makes it easier for you or your tax preparer to complete your tax forms efficiently and correctly. New this year, you will need documentation for your health insurance. CPAs prepared this handy checklist to help you get organized.
When Is the Best Time to File?
Fraudulent tax filing to claim bogus refunds is a growing problem. File your return early so that you can beat potential thieves. The IRS is working hard to control fraudulent tax filings, but you don’t want to be left holding the bag, especially if you are counting on a refund. Our guest blogger Paul Pocalyko explained the scope of the frauds in “The Persistence of IRS Fraudulent Refund Scams.” If you owe money, it’s still a good idea to get the return done early, but just don’t file until the deadline. This helps you prepare for that tax bill in April.
Should I File an Extension to Postpone Paying My Taxes?
Filing an extension will not delay your tax payment, but it could affect your penalties and interest. Here’s some guidance on The Ins and Outs of Filing an Extension.
If I live in one state and work in another, where do I file my state tax return?
Pennsylvania CPAs field lots of questions from clients who may live in Pennsylvania and work in a neighboring state. To help resolve state income tax issues, check out our “Ask a CPA” resources.
Ten More Tips
The tax experts at the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs compiled the Top 10 Tax Filing Tips CPAs Want You to Know to help taxpayers prepare their 2015 tax return and avoid costly mistakes and processing delays.
For more information from CPAs, check out our Tax Help Center. If you are looking for a CPA to prepare your taxes, check with family and friends for recommendations or use PICPA’s CPA Locator for a Pennsylvania CPA.
