Photo of Dr. Nikia Owens, Ph.D, Photo credit: Laura Elam
Q1. What is the deadline to file my 2025 federal tax return?
The federal deadline to file a 2025 tax return is April 15, 2026. Taxpayers who need more time may request an extension, which usually moves the filing deadline to October 15, 2026. However, any taxes owed are still due by April 15, even if an extension is granted, to avoid penalties and interest.
Q2. What is the standard deduction this year?
For tax year 2025, the standard deduction is $15,750 for single filers and married individuals filing separately, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouses, and $23,625 for head of household filers. This amount reduces taxable income before the Internal Revenue Service calculates how much tax is owed.
Q3. Do gig workers have to file taxes even if they only did side work?
Yes. Gig income is taxable even when it comes from part-time work, temporary jobs, or informal side work, including payments made in cash, goods, or other nontraditional forms. Even if no tax form is received, taxpayers are still required to report all income earned during the year.
Q4. I received a 1099-NEC. What does it mean?
A Form 1099-NEC generally means that the payer has classified the worker as an independent contractor rather than an employee. In most cases, independent contractors are considered self-employed and report their income and expenses using Schedule C. If net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, Schedule SE is typically used to calculate self-employment tax.
Q5. I received a 1099-K from a payment app or marketplace. Do I still need to report all my income?
Yes. The Internal Revenue Service requires taxpayers to report all taxable income, including amounts shown on Forms 1099-K, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC, as well as income that may not appear on any tax form. This includes cash payments and other earnings from self-employment activities.
Q6. What if my 1099-K is wrong or includes personal payments?
If a Form 1099-K contains errors or includes personal transactions, taxpayers should contact the issuer as soon as possible to request a correction. It is still important to file taxes on time even if a corrected form has not been received. The Internal Revenue Service notes that personal payments, gifts, reimbursements, and duplicate transactions should not be treated as taxable business income, so keeping accurate records is important.
Q7. Do 1099 workers have taxes withheld automatically?
In most cases, taxes are not automatically withheld from 1099 income. Because of this, many self-employed individuals are responsible for making quarterly estimated tax payments if they expect to owe taxes. These payments help reduce the risk of penalties at the end of the tax year.
Q8. What forms do self-employed people usually use?
Self-employed taxpayers generally use Schedule C to report business income and expenses and Schedule SE to calculate self-employment tax. These forms are commonly used by sole proprietors and independent contractors.
Q9. Can families qualify for tax credits even if money is tight?
Yes. Many families may qualify for tax credits depending on income and household size. These credits can reduce the amount of tax owed or increase a refund. Common credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, Saver’s Credit, and Premium Tax Credit.
Q10. How can I check my tax refund?
Taxpayers can check refund status using the Internal Revenue Service online tracking tool. In most cases, updates are available within 24 hours after electronic filing. Refunds for electronically filed returns are typically processed within about three weeks, while paper returns may take six weeks or longer.