Yet another place to very carefully look over. If you choose to take the mailed check option rather than file for Direct Deposit, making sure that this address is accurate can prevent a lot of frustration.

If you are married, it is very worth it to think about the risks and benefits of filing jointly versus filing separately. Filing jointly greatly increases tax benefits (so you pay less), but makes both spouses liable for the accuracy of the form. There are also other considerations for status.

If you have not considered filing separately, it is more than likely that you should file jointly. Consult a tax professional to see whether your unique situation merits a different approach.

Just check “no.” There is simply no good reason to embrace the $3 fee anymore, especially considering changes in the law (Citizens United) that allow private corporations to donate indefinitely to political candidates.

In an ideal world, this $3 would go to a fund that paid for campaigns for public office contestants who would not seek private donations. The impact of the fund has now decreased, as more and more candidates use private funds to campaign.

You’re in the big leagues now! This time, grab a drink or two, grab every piece of financial paperwork since last April, and bear in – we still got this!

This does not mean that you collected income abroad. If that is the case, grab a 1040 form – the 1040EZ is not for you!

But really. If the number on your W-2, Social Security card, 1040EZ, and/or 1099 do not match, you’re gonna have a bad time…

Anything from a massively delayed refund/payment to the IRS straight up refusing your forms/refund can and will happen, since any discrepancy is a paperwork nightmare. The IRS takes returns from millions of people; do not expect them to take more than a second to fix your mistake. Check twice and save yourself a headache.

#DO NOT MAIL CASH. EVER!

Common sense, but think of how many people still do this…

Your best bet is to enclose a check or money order, making sure to follow IRS instructions carefully. Please, please do not staple the check to the page – that does not work.

If you plan on paying with the form, you’ll also need to grab and mail the 1040-V, a payment voucher.

Misnomer of a lifetime – the form is anything but for most people. Relax and grab a cup of coffee – we got this!

Basically, if you already, through the year, paid more taxes (or equivalent EIC) than you should be paying, based on your income, you get money back! Don’t spend it all in one place.

To figure this out, just compare what you wrote in line 9 to what you wrote in line 10. If line 9 is larger (you’ve paid more than you should have), subtract line 10 from line 9 – this is how much you get back.

If the opposite is true, do nothing – you owe money and should skip to line 12.