How to shrink a tax bill or boost a refund

Tax Day is approaching fast. Here are some last-minute things to check for a larger refund or smaller bill. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 

Read in browser eNewspaper   |    Crosswords   |    Horoscopes The Daily Money ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW Sun Mar 29 2026 Medora Lee |  Money and Personal Finance reporter Tax Day is fast approaching, with April 15 around the corner. Hopefully, you're finished with your taxes and maybe even enjoying your larger-than-usual refund already. If not, you still have time. Below are some tips to remember to either pay the least amount of tax if you owe or to get the largest refund possible. An illustration for possible use with tax stories. Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images • Don't pay twice: For workers who cross state lines to earn a living, make sure you know the tax rules for both the state you call home and the state where you work. If you're not clear on what you need to do, you may end up paying taxes twice -- once to each state! • Act like an uber-wealthy person: Yes, you too, can do your taxes like a rich person and save money. Here are some tax maneuvers they, and you, can use to avoid taxes. Just be careful of donor advised funds. • Check if you're owed old refunds: Millions of Americans may be owed a refund from Covid. Here's what to know. • All income - including prizes - are taxable: Survivor winner Richard Hatch has been locked in a battle with the IRS over taxes for the past quarter century, but you don't have to be. Just make sure you understand what prizes, gifts and bonuses are taxed and how. • Don't be afraid to ask for help: Taxes are more complicated this year due to all the new tax laws. Don't be afraid to call in a pro. Or if you're determined to DIY, here's how to file free. 📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰 • Alerts about tariff refund checks aren't the real deal • Where's my tax refund? More Americans are counting on them in 2026 • Your state tax refund may be delayed if you're in one of these places Each weekday, The Daily Money  delivers the best consumer news from USA TODAY. We break down financial news and provide the TLDR version: how decisions by the Federal Reserve, government and companies impact you.  Expecting a paper IRS refund? Many are getting delay notices instead Millions of taxpayers expecting a federal income tax refund are getting an IRS notice instead of cash due to new rules. READ MORE 5 states still penalize you for not having health insurance Even though the federal penalty for not having health insurance ended, five places still charge residents a fee. READ MORE New IRS form unlocks 4 major tax deductions for 2025 Millions of taxpayers are using a new IRS form to claim deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors. What is Schedule 1-A? READ MORE IRS tax forgiveness requirements explained: Eligibility and options Wondering if you qualify for IRS tax forgiveness? Learn OIC, penalty relief and hardship rules, plus what the IRS looks for. READ MORE Where's my refund? More Americans are relying on tax windfalls Nearly half of American taxpayers are counting on an IRS refund to help with bills and debts in 2026. Here's how to get yours. READ MORE 'Survivor' winner accused of not paying taxes now owes triple the prize The first 'Survivor' winner Richard Hatch is battling the federal government over taxes the government says he failed to pay on his prize winnings. READ MORE IRS may owe you a refund from COVID but you'll have to act quickly Millions of taxpayers may be owed an IRS refund for penalties or interest charged during COVID. You'll have to act quickly if you're one of them. READ MORE Love work from anywhere? You may not when you're filing state taxes Hate paying taxes? If you live and work in different places, you could potentially be at risk of paying twice. What to know to avoid that. READ MORE America's wealth gap is exploding. Should the rich pay more? | The Excerpt Income inequality is soaring in the U.S., sparking a national debate: Should the super‑rich face a wealth tax? READ MORE Don't fall for these common tax scams in 2026, IRS warns Know how to spot the IRS "Dirty Dozen" tax scams and the warning signs that could help protect your refund. READ MORE Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ Newsletters   |    eNewspaper   |    Crosswords Follow Us Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe  •   Manage Newsletters  •   Terms of Service  •   Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  •  Privacy Notice  •   Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy  •   Feedback