Avoid Tax Season Stress with These Tips and Tricks

The 2025 tax season is well underway, and for many Houstonians, it can feel like an overwhelming, complex process filled with visions of impending deadlines, rejection stamps, and the horrifying possibility of an audit. While some of us have inflated tax season to mythological proportions, it is not nearly as complicated or treacherous as we make it out to be.

To help peel back some of the mystery and questions associated with filing your tax return, one of our Financial Coaches, Maria, has provided some simple tips and tricks, as well as mistakes to avoid, to make the filing process easier and more efficient for you!

1 – File early and keep records.

One of the worst characteristics of tax season is the seemingly inherent stress of filing, but an easy remedy is to file early! Doing so will allow you to know sooner if there is a potential refund or taxes owed and provide you with more time to address any issues or discrepancies.

Keeping accurate, organized records and planning ahead reduces the risk of error and will save you all the last-minute stress and anxiety we most associate with tax season.

2 – Know your filing status.

When filing your tax return, it is crucial to select the correct category that accurately reflects your situation so you can properly maximize your tax benefits, as this will impact tax rates, eligibility for credits, and deductions.

Filing options:

• Single: For individuals who are not married and have no dependents.
• Married Filing Jointly: For married couples filing together.
• Married Filing Separately: For married couples filing separately.
• Head of Household: For single individuals supporting dependents.
• Qualifying Widow(er): For individuals with dependent children.

3 – Claim your tax credits.

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): For low- to moderate-income earners, especially those with children.
• Child Tax Credit: For parents with children under 17.
• Child and Dependent Care Credit: For those paying for childcare or care for a dependent adult.

4 – Avoid these common filing mistakes.

• Incorrect filing status: The wrong status can impact your tax rate and benefits.
• Failing to report all income: When filing your taxes, you can incur penalties if you fail to report all sources of income, such as freelance earnings or side jobs.
• Missing deadlines: While it may seem obvious, filing late is a very common mistake that can result in easily avoidable penalties and interest.

Tax season need not be stressful! Simple habits like double-checking your tax return before submitting, keeping accurate records, and filing early or on time will ensure a streamlined, (mostly) painless tax return process.

If you are struggling with your tax returns this season, we have once again partnered with BakerRipley as a Neighborhood Tax Center Mobile Site, which offers individuals and families free tax return preparation and ITIN application and renewal assistance. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or (713) 667-4493.

• March 19th | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• April 2nd | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For other BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Center locations, click here.