Yes, the time of the year when you have to file your taxes is here, again. Whether or not you’re looking forward to filing your taxes to get a refund back, here’s a guide dedicated to giving you a generalized idea about how to win this tax season. CNETWhile completing your taxes is no easy feat, especially since tax codes change yearly and vary from person to person, you don’t have to be completely in the dark with this cheat sheet. The resources below provide expert advice on tricky tax topics and can help you start your return.
This story is part of Taxes 2025, CNET’s coverage of the best tax software, tax tips and everything else you need to file your return and track your refund.
Read More: No, Trump’s IRS Hiring Freeze Won’t Delay Your Tax Refund — but Not Doing This CouldHow to get started with your taxesAs with most tasks, the hardest part of doing your taxes is starting. You have to gather all your necessary forms (and track down any that are missing), pick a service or software to use and then spend hours completing your return.No wonder almost a third of Americans wait until the last minute to file, according to a survey from financial services company IPX1031. Filing as early as possible has advantages worth considering.Here’s some info to help you jump-start your tax return:What to know about the child tax credit in 2025With the child tax credit tax break, you could be eligible for up to $2,000 per child. The rules around which kids qualify and how much money you could get refunded can be confusing, however. Here’s what to know about this benefit.Form, forms and more tax formsThere are a lot of tax documents: There’s the W-2 your company sends you, assorted 1099 forms for other income, a 1098 form for mortgage interest and many others.In all, the IRS provides 2,854 different tax forms on its website. Learn about the ones you need for the 2025 tax season and what to do if you’re missing any.What Is a W-2 Form and What to Do If You Haven’t Received YoursAll the Different 1099 Tax Forms ExplainedVenmo and Cash App Income: Will You Get a 1099-K?How to Scan Important Tax Documents With Your PhoneReview your tax credits and tax deductionsOnce you’ve started filing your tax return, make sure you get every penny owed to you. One way to maximize your tax refund is to check all of the potential tax credits and deductions that could lower your tax bill.Learn the basics of itemizing deductions (or taking the standard deduction), and review all the ways that you can pay less or get a bigger refund.How to Choose Between the Standard Deduction and Itemized DeductionsBiggest Tax Credits Boost Your Tax Refund Even if You Don’t ItemizeAll the Possible Tax Credits and Deductions for HomeownersAll about tax refundsAfter you’ve finished your tax return and sent it to the IRS, the waiting begins. Fortunately, the IRS makes it easy to track your return and refund. Learn more about how to track your tax refund, whether it’s directly deposit
