Filing your taxes for the first time
It's one form for most people, takes ~30 minutes, and IRS Free File is actually free.
What you'll need on hand
- •W-2 from every employer (mailed/emailed by Jan 31).
- •1099-NEC for any side-gig income $600+.
- •1099-INT from any bank where you earned $10+ in interest.
- •Last year's return (if you have one) — speeds verification.
- •Bank routing/account # for direct-deposit refund.
Common credits to check
- •EITC — Earned Income Tax Credit, refundable. Big for low-mid income earners.
- •Saver's Credit — up to 50% of your retirement contributions back.
- •American Opportunity / Lifetime Learning — education credits.
- •Premium Tax Credit — if you bought health insurance through HealthCare.gov.
If your AGI is under ~$79,000, you qualify for free guided software via IRS Free File. Don't pay TurboTax for what's free at irs.gov.
Most states require their own return. Skipping is expensive — penalties stack quickly.
Real life: meet 23-year-old: W-2 + $1,200 freelance
Aiden had a $52k W-2 plus $1,200 from a freelance design gig. He used IRS Free File, declared the 1099, took the Saver's Credit ($200), and filed in 38 minutes. Net refund: $410.
Refund: $410 · Time spent: 38 min
Takeaway
Filing is one evening once a year. Free File covers most early-career situations. Always file — even if you owe nothing.
Most early-career W-2 workers should file using…
Takeaway: Filing taxes is a 30-minute task once a year, made scary by paid software marketing.
Try together: Walk through IRS Free File together using sample (or real) numbers. Time it. Demystify it for life.