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The April 15 tax deadline is rapidly approaching. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers they should promptly file their tax return. The best practice is to file a return electronically and request any refund directly to your bank account. Electronic filing reduces taxpayer errors and will speed up receipt of your tax refund.

Electronic Filing Options— Taxpayers with incomes of $84,000 or less in 2024 may use the IRS Free File software. In addition, Free File Fillable forms are available to all taxpayers, regardless of their income level. Taxpayers in 25 states may use the IRS Direct File program if they have a simple return. The IRS also supports the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. For members of the military, the Department of Defense offers the MilTax program for members at no cost.
Where's My Refund?— The “Where's My Refund?” tool is typically updated within 24 hours after an electronically filed tax return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount to check your refund status.
Payment Options for Taxes— There are multiple payment options for those that owe taxes. You can use Direct Pay to make a transfer from a checking or savings account, or make a payment through an IRS Individual Online Account. Taxpayers may also pay using a debit card, credit card or digital wallet. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is another option to accept payments. Additionally, you can also pay by check, money order or make a cash payment through a retail partner.
Unable To Pay Taxes— If you experience financial problems and owe less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest, you may create a payment plan which provides you with 180 days to pay in full. If you owe less than $50,000, you can create a long-term payment plan. Under this plan, your monthly payments may be stretched out for up to 10 years.
Extension to October 15— Taxpayers who cannot complete their filing by April 15 may receive a six-month extension until October 15. All taxpayers, regardless of income, may use the IRS Free File program to file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If you make an electronic payment using Direct Pay or a debit or credit card, you qualify for an extension. The tax payment is due on April 15 even if your filing date is extended to October 15.

There are exceptions to the filing and, in some cases, to the payment deadlines. These may apply to taxpayers who serve in an active combat zone, live outside the United States or live in certain disaster areas. Contact your tax professional or go to IRS.gov if you think you may qualify for one of these exceptions.

Published April 11, 2025

I have been giving more thought to how to plan for the years ahead. As someone who may not have immediate family to rely on, what resources are available to me, for help with important matters such as an emergency contact, healthcare decisions, financial matters and living arrangements as I age?

This is a very common concern for the 22 million solo agers across the United States who do not have adult children or other family members they can depend on to watch out for their wellbeing. Here are some tips and resources that can help.

Choosing Helpers & Decision Makers

While older adults usually name children or spouses to make decisions on their behalf, solo agers will most often choose a sibling, niece or nephew, or a trusted friend or neighbor. Whoever you choose, be sure to talk to them first to make sure they are willing to assume the responsibility.

If, however, you do not have anyone you feel comfortable asking, or who is willing to take on that responsibility, you can hire a professional. One of the best resources is an aging life care manager. These are trained professionals in the area of geriatric care who often have backgrounds in nursing or social work and can serve as your emergency contact, oversee your care and even act as your executor. They can also connect you with legal and financial professionals in your area to help manage your affairs.

Aging life care managers typically charge anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour, depending on their location and experience. You can search online for an expert near you or visit your local council on aging.

If hiring a life care manager is not financially feasible, there are other steps to take to prepare for future needs. Start by creating a basic estate plan including a power of attorney, advance directive and a will. Having these estate planning documents prepared ahead of time helps ensure your wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated and when you pass away.

To help you prepare these documents, your best option is to hire an experienced estate planning attorney, which can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars depending on location, needs and experience. In some cases, the attorney may also be able to act as your power of attorney or executor, or help you locate a professional in your area.

There are also services available to help with organizing and preparing bill payments with your approval. Alternatively, you can work with a daily money manager who, in addition to paying bills, can handle tasks like balancing your checkbook and organizing tax information.

It is also a good idea to meet with a financial advisor to help figure out what services and living arrangements you can afford and what steps you can take to ensure that your financial resources last your lifetime. If you do not have an advisor, you can find a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner through searching online.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

On April 16, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explained the penalty relief options for taxpayers who missed the filing deadline. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file and pay taxes if they are able to do so. Taxpayers who make partial payments toward their tax debt can reduce the accrued interest and penalties.

Some taxpayers may also qualify for penalty relief. There is a First Time Abate administrative waiver for taxpayers who are in good standing with the IRS.

History of Tax Filing — The first requirement is that you have filed for the past three years and there were no penalties assessed. If you filed for years 2021, 2022 and 2023 and did not have any penalties, you may qualify for First Time Abate relief.
Additional Requirements — Taxpayers also may have to pass additional tests. Taxpayers cannot have four or more Failure to Deposit penalty waiver codes. They may not have a Daily Delinquency Penalty or an event-based filing requirement.
First Time Abate Example — Assume that Taxpayer did not fully pay taxes for year 2024. Taxpayer called the IRS and requested penalty relief. The IRS gave Taxpayer a First Time Abate relief up to the date of the request. Six months later, Taxpayer made full payment on the taxes and called again. The IRS then granted another First Time Abate relief for the additional accrued penalty due from April 15 until that full payment.

The IRS emphasizes that if you do not qualify for the First Time Abate relief, there is also a possibility for relief based on your facts and circumstances. If the IRS believes that you are acting in good faith and have financial challenges, it may grant Reasonable Cause relief.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that it is still possible to file after the April deadline and receive a refund. For the 2021 tax year, an estimated one million taxpayers did not file, but they would have qualified for a refundable tax credit, most commonly the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Taxpayers with lower incomes should check with an advisor about potentially filing to receive a refundable tax credit. It is important to note that refunds may be delayed if more recent returns have not been filed, and any refund could be used to cover unpaid taxes, past-due child support or federal debts.

If you file for this credit, you can use the "Where’s My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov to check on the status of your refund. You will need your Social Security Number, your filing status and the exact dollar amount of your anticipated refund to use this tool.

Published April 18, 2025

How do I replace important documents that were lost when our home burned down? We lost everything including our house deed, car titles, tax returns, Social Security and Medicare cards, birth certificates, marriage license and passports.

Losing your home in a fire is a devasting event, made even more difficult by the loss of your personal belongings and important documents. Replacing essential documents destroyed in a fire, however, can be a straightforward process once you know where to turn. Here are some resources to help you get started.

Birth certificates: If you were born in the United States, you can replace your birth certificate by contacting the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can visit CDC.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm for contact information. The state office will give you specific instructions on how to order a certified copy. The cost will vary from state to state but often ranges between $10 to $30.

Car titles: Most states offer replacements through the agency that handles vehicle titles in your state, which could be the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Revenue, Secretary of State or another agency. You will need to complete a Replacement Title application and pay the application fee, which varies by state. You may also need to show identification and proof that you own the car, such as your vehicle registration or provide your license plate number and vehicle identification number.

Property deed: To obtain a copy of the deed to your house, contact the county recorder’s office. Some counties provide an online self-service option where you can search for your property, locate the deed and download a copy of your deed. If you are not able to obtain a copy of your deed online, then visit the office in person or call for assistance to request help in obtaining a copy.

Marriage certificate: To obtain a replacement for your marriage certificate, contact the vital records office of the state you married in to order a copy. For contact information on each state, visit CDC.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm. You will need to provide the full names of both you and your spouse, the date of your wedding and the city or town where the wedding was held. The fee for a replacement typically ranges between $10 to $30.

Social Security cards: In most states, you can request a replacement Social Security card online for free at SSA.gov/myaccount. Once there, click on “Request a replacement Social Security card” and answer a few questions to verify your identity and that you are eligible for a replacement.

Medicare cards: If you are enrolled in original Medicare, you can replace a lost or damaged Medicare card by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227 or by logging into your MyMedicare.gov account. There can print your own card or request a new card to be mailed to you at no cost. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will need to call your plan to get your card replaced. If you get Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you can get a replacement card by calling 877-772-5772.

Tax returns: If you used a tax preparer, contact them to request copies of past tax returns. You can also get copies of federal returns directly from the Internal Revenue Service by filling out and mailing Form 4506. To download this form, visit IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf or call 800-829-3676 and request it be mailed to you directly. The cost is $30 for each return requested. To get copies of your state tax returns, contact your state’s tax agency. Some states will offer an online service while others may require that you mail or fax a request form.

Passports: If your U.S. passports were not expired, you should report them as lost. You can do this online at PPTform.state.gov or in person when you apply for a new passport at a Passport Acceptance Facility, many of which are located in U.S. post offices. Visit iafdb.travel.state.gov to locate a facility near you. You will also need to complete and submit Form DS-64 and Form DS-11. The replacement fee is $130 per passport.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published March 14, 2025