{"id":5229,"date":"2021-10-15T22:15:54","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T05:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/?page_id=5229"},"modified":"2023-02-27T19:57:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T03:57:53","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When can you start filing taxes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually around the 15<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;of January. Every year, the IRS issues a statement about when you can <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/do-i-have-to-file-taxes\/\">start filing taxes<\/a>. Usually early to mid January is when you can file and the IRS will start processing claims a month later; around mid-February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the penalty for filing taxes late?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a fee that increases based on how many months late you file. Usually the fee is 5% on top of whatever amount you owe. For example, if you owe $2,000 in taxes and pay 4 months late, then you\u2019d owe $400 on top of the $2,000; (taxes owed x 0.05) x number of months late or in this case (2,000 x 0.05) x 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the deadline for filing taxes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>April 15<sup>th<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the pandemic, the <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/tax-deadline-pushed-due-to-coronavirus\/\">deadline fluctuated<\/a> between July 15 (in 2020) and May 17 (2021), but in general, April 15<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0is the deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the penalty for filing taxes late if you\u2019re owed a refund?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing on the federal level. If the IRS owes you money, then there\u2019s no late fee; of course, you won\u2019t collect what you\u2019re owed until you file. However, on the state level, if you file late despite being owed a refund, you could wind up paying exorbitant penalties, face liens on your property, or even be prosecuted and face jail time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s dependent on the state, but bottom line is it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/reasons-to-file-your-taxes-early\/\">better to file sooner<\/a> rather than later regardless of whether you owe taxes or are owed a refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How long after filing taxes do you get a refund?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, most refunds will be issued after 21 days (or 3 weeks). However, this is dependent on whether you mail your taxes in, e-file, or elect for direct deposit. Fortunately, you can check the status of your return relatively quickly. If you\u2019ve e-filed, you can find out within 24 hours and if you\u2019ve mailed them in, call the IRS TeleTax System at 1-800-829-4477.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How much money can you make without filing taxes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It alters depending on <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/how-to-decide-if-you-and-your-spouse-should-file-separately-or-jointly\/\">your age and filing status<\/a>. In 2021, an individual tax filer making less than $12,550 does not need to file taxes; for married couples filing jointly, it\u2019s $25,100. This alters almost every year, so double check with an accountant to make sure you\u2019re not in violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What do you send in when filing taxes by mail?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a complicated question depending on your filing status, your state, what \u2013 if any \u2013 properties you own and if you\u2019re self-employed. Some of the items you\u2019ll need are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a signed copy of your return<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>schedules and forms (1040\/1040A) attached in sequential order, notated on the top, right-hand side<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>copies of W-2, W-2G, 2439, 1040 and 1099-R (if tax is withheld)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>if you owe tax, include check or money order payable to the \u201cUnited States Treasury\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to bring to your accountant for tax preparation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/contact-us\/\">meeting your accountant in person<\/a>, to maximize your time with them bring your identification information (this includes your dependents\u2019 and partner\u2019s social security numbers to ensure you can claim or list them accordingly).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bring a copy of your most recent tax return and\u2014if you\u2019re meeting your accountant for the first time \u2013 it\u2019s beneficial to bring the several of the most recent tax returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bring your wage and income statements (specifically the most recent pay stubs).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, bring any real estate documents and proof of expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a capital gains tax?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/a-note-on-the-capital-gains-tax\/\">capital gains tax<\/a> is a fee you pay from selling specific types of assets (such as real estate or stock investments). A capital gain is the difference in value from the sale price and the original cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a payroll tax?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/process-payroll-quickly-and-efficiently\/\">payroll tax<\/a> is a percentage of an employee\u2019s pay withheld and paid directly to the government by the employer on the employee\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to file a tax extension?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply submit <a href=\"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/file-an-extension\/\">Form 4868 by the filing deadline<\/a>. It\u2019s worth noting that an extension gives you extra time to file your taxes, but not extra time to pay. Usually people opt for an extension when they\u2019re missing paperwork or traveling or otherwise unable to file by the tax deadline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When can you start filing taxes? Usually around the 15th&nbsp;of January. Every year, the IRS issues a statement about when you can start filing taxes. Usually early to mid January is when you can file and the IRS will start processing claims a month later; around mid-February. What is the penalty for filing taxes late? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-5229","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5229"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6290,"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5229\/revisions\/6290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}