Filing Taxes for the First-Timer – DOR Has Tips For You

(UNDATED) – Filing your individual income taxes for the first time can be frightening, but if you’re wondering where to start, DOR has some tips and tricks, just for you, to make filing your taxes easier!

  • Organize your paperwork – Your employer should be sending you documents you will need in order fill out your taxes. Keep an eye out for W-2s, 1099s, etc. If you pay student loans, you may receive a 1098-E. That form reports the interest paid on student loans throughout the taxable year. If you are self-employed, then you need to do some extra research to make sure you have all the documents you need to file correctly.
  • Don’t lose track of time – Tax season runs through April 15, 2020. Time flies, so try to avoid the mind set of “I’ll do it later.” There is a flip side to this tip: Don’t be in too much of a hurry. When you rush to get taxes done, your chances of making a mistake go up.
  • Decide how you want to file – You can fill out your tax return by yourself, work with a paid preparer or file electronically. Decide which option is best for you. Filling out the return by yourself on paper is free, but you may miss out on add-backs or deductions you’re not aware of. Paid preparers may be the way to go if you have a more complicated return. They may pick up on a deduction you were not aware you could take. Filing electronically can reduce the amount of mistakes and speed up the process to get a return filed.
  • You may be able to file for FREE – Nearly two million Hoosiers qualify to file their federal and state taxes online for free using Indiana free file (INfreefile). You can find out if you qualify and compare vendor offers at freefile.dor.in.gov.

If this is your first time filing, don’t let the stress take over. Plan ahead and know that help is out there.

If you have questions about your Indiana individual tax return, visit our website or call DOR Customer Service at (317) 232-2240, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., EST.