Resources for Filing Your Annual Tax Return

Resources for Filing Your Annual Tax Return


This article includes information that we hope is helpful for you as you file your annual tax return. Interstaff is not a tax company, nor are we tax experts. Below is a resource meant to help you as you complete your tax return. Please consider this article as a resource only, not as professional tax advice. You may consult a tax professional for additional guidance.

The Basics of Taxes in the US

The United States taxes citizens and permanent residents on their income, so you will pay taxes each year. Every American and permanent resident is taxed based on their income. Income tax is withdrawn from each of our paychecks and is paid to the government through our employer.

At the beginning of each calendar year, you will file an income tax return. A tax return is a form that reports income, expenses, and other tax information. The deadline for filing an individual tax return is April 15 of each year. If you complete your return late, you may be subject to penalties.

When you file your tax return, you will either receive a refund or receive a tax bill that you owe.
  1. Receiving a refund means you overpaid taxes throughout the year and are getting money back.
  2. If you owe, it means you underpaid taxes and need to pay a remaining balance. If you owe, you will want to log into ADP and update your W-4 form, which tells your employer how much taxes they should deduct from your paycheck. You’ll want to confirm your dependent information is correct and then increase your “Extra Withholding” amount.

Information You Need to File Your Taxes

You will need several pieces of information to successfully file your tax returns. For instance, Interstaff will send you what’s called Form W-2. This is a document that you will need to complete your tax return. It includes a summary of all of the money you have earned the previous year as an Interstaff nurse, as well as the amount of taxes deducted from your paycheck in the previous year. You will need this information to file your taxes, along with any W-2s that your spouse may have for their income.


Additional Documents to Have on Hand

  1. Receipts for Charitable Donations - whether you donated cash to a house of worship or items to a charitable organization, you can provide this information on your tax return. Find our more here
  2. Form 1098-T, which reports any interest paid on a mortgage for a home you own
  3. Proof of money paid to a licensed Day Care Center for care of an infant or preschooler
  4. Form 1098-E, which outlines any interest you may have paid on a student loan for your child to attend university
  5. Form 1095-C, contains important information about the healthcare coverage offered or provided to you by your employer. 
The particular documentation you will need varies depending on your specific situation.

3 Ways to File Your Taxes

1. Online Tax Preparation Providers

There are several online tax preparation providers that will allow you to file your tax return exclusively online, guiding you through a series of questions that will ensure you include all necessary information on your tax return. It’s a simple, step-by-step process. Below are a list of these services:

  • TurboTax 

    • Note: several of Interstaff’s team members use this simple software and would recommend it, even if it’s your first time filing a tax return.

  • E-File.com

  • H&R Block


2. In-Person Tax Services

The first time you file your taxes, you may find it helpful to sit down with a tax expert and complete your return in person. There are many tax preparers available, both local organizations and companies that serve nationwide. For instance, H&R Block has in-person locations across the U.S. and may be a good option.

When you consider hiring someone to prepare your taxes alongside you, be sure the expert will be able to e-file the return for you. Learn about important points to consider when looking for a tax preparer.


3. The IRS Free Tax Return Preparation Program (for Qualifying Taxpayers)

You may be eligible to receive support while filing your taxes through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. It provides free tax help to individuals who may need assistance with preparing their returns.

Learn more about the free IRS program.


Additional Tax Resources

To learn more, continue reading about filing taxes in the US as an immigrant and check out this tax guide for immigrants.

Filing your taxes will become easier as the years go by as you'll get familiar with the process and systems in place. With the knowledge you've learned from this article, you can go into the tax season confident!

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