Filing and Paying Your Taxes

Tips on Tackling Back Taxes

Follow this handy guide for taking care of the common issues that crop up when filing prior-year taxes.

Important Tax Dates To Remember

How do I pay my taxes?

Direct debit, e-filing, pay by mail… All the words! Need someone to just break it down and tell you how to actually pay your taxes? No worries, we’ve got you covered.

What are IRS payment plans, and how much do they cost?

If you are not able to pay taxes immediately, you have options.

Do I need to make estimated tax payments?

You've probably heard it many times if you're a freelancer or earn other untaxed income: You should be paying taxes quarterly. But how do you know if that applies to you? We're here to help.

Paying Estimated Quarterly Taxes

Confused about how and when to pay estimated quarterly taxes? We've got you covered.

What's the deal with extensions?

An extension gives you more time to file your taxes, but it doesn't give you more time to pay.

What if the deadline passed, but I didn't file my tax return?

Filing late is much more common than people think. The primary thing to know is that you may have to pay some additional penalties and interest on any balances owed. Even if you're a couple years late, we can help you get your taxes filed!

How do I send a 1099?

In the past, if you hired other freelancers or contractors to help with your business, you had to fill out a 1099-MISC. Starting in 2021, you'll generally file a 1099-NEC instead.

How to Read Your Tax Return

Think of your federal tax return (which is called the 1040) like the trunk of a tree. All the other forms branch out from there.

What is the difference between “taking the standard deduction” and “itemizing”?

People throw words like deduction or itemizing around a lot, but they don't always use the terms correctly. We'll explain what's going on and how it impacts you.

I'm married. Should I file jointly or separately?

For married couples filing US taxes, there are advantages and disadvantages to filing jointly vs. separately. Can't figure out what filing status you should use with your partner? We can help.

How do I fill out my W-4?

Filling out your W-4 can be confusing. Here's some information that will help you figure it out.

How do I handle sales tax in New York?

Figuring out sales tax can feel daunting for freelancers. That’s why we’ve put together a few resources for dealing with sales tax for those of you in New York state.

State Extension Guide

Each state has its own rules about handling extensions. This guide is designed to help you understand the rules for your state and where to pay to get an extension (if Brass Taxes could not file or set up the payment for you!)