5 Ways to Handle an Unexpected Tax Bill

Have you just completed your taxes and discovered that you owe more than expected? Don't panic. There are several ways to reduce that hefty tax bill.

Step 1: Check for Errors

First, go through your return and ensure you haven't made a mistake. If you used tax software, note that it checks the math based on what you entered, but it doesn't know if you entered the right numbers. Common errors include entering a wrong number, adding an extra zero, or entering the same income in two different places.

When looking for errors, the best place to start is a line-by-line check, comparing this year's return to last year's return. Of course, some numbers will be slightly different, but the differences should match your raise, reduction in hours, or other life changes. If anything doesn't match up, take a closer look.

Step 2: Max Out Your Retirement Accounts

If you have money in the bank and don't want to give it to the IRS, upping your retirement savings could be a solution. Don't forget that you can still open and contribute to an IRA account until your filing deadline. The deduction you receive will reduce what you owe. If you have already filed your tax return without maxing out your retirement accounts, don't worry; you can still amend your return if you make your contributions in time.

Step 3: Check for Other Deductions and Credits

Go back and look for any deductions and credits you might have missed. These could include business expenses, energy efficiency upgrades, child credits, and more.

If you used tax software, you might have found that some questions were confusing or buried, causing you to accidentally skip over a credit. The best thing to do is to research whether there are credits for any large expenses you had throughout the year that might come with tax incentives.

Step 4: File Your Tax Return Anyway

Don't neglect to file your tax return because you can't pay. There are separate and larger penalties for failing to file a return. These include automatic monetary penalties for late filing and the possibility that the IRS thinks you are trying to evade your taxes because you can't pay what you owe.

Step 5: Request a Payment Plan

If you can't pay your tax bill in full, pay what you can. Late payment penalties are based on your outstanding balance, not your original tax bill. Like paying off a loan, the more and earlier you pay, the less you pay in interest and penalties. 

If all else fails, you can request an installment agreement from the IRS. This is a payment plan whereby you make monthly payments and incur slightly lower penalties than those incurred if you don't pay. The other advantage is that if you make your payments on time, the IRS won't keep sending you threatening letters or file a tax lien.