Four ways to maximize your tax refund in 2025 and the difference in state rules when checking your status
THE most rewarding part of the arduous tax filing process is receiving your refund, and there are four steps you can take to maximize the amount of money you get back.
When checking the status of your state tax refund, there are also a few key things to keep in mind.
ReutersThere are several steps that Americans can take to ensure they receive the most amount of money back from their tax refund[/caption]
GettyThere are a few key differences between states when it comes to checking your refund status[/caption]
Tax season is almost halfway over as millions of Americans scramble to submit their federal and state tax returns by the typical April 15 deadline.
There are a handful of ways you can ensure that you receive the highest tax refund possible for your individual circumstances.
1. Choose the Correct Filing Status
There are five tax filing statuses:
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Qualified Surviving Spouse
Your filing status greatly impacts your standard deduction amount, which is a flat amount that reduces the amount of your income subject to taxes.
For example, the Head of Household status typically provides a higher standard deduction and ensures that more of your taxable income falls into lower tax brackets.
On the other hand, the Married Filing Separately status often results in higher tax rates and fewer allowable credits and deductions.
It may also make more of your income taxable in certain circumstances and reduce your standard deduction to zero if your spouse itemized deductions.
Additionally, many tax credits vary depending on your filing status.
For instance, the amount eligible taxpayers can receive from the Earned Income Tax Credit differs depending on whether you are single or married.
Those who attempt to claim a credit or deduction under the wrong filing status may see a delay in the processing of their return and in receiving their refund.
2. Optimize Your Tax Deductions
Taxpayers who fully utilize the deductions they are entitled to ultimately pay less tax and may receive a larger refund.
The U.S. Sun previously spoke with CPA and tax expert Ahad Ali, who shared a handful of deductions to keep in mind that could lower the taxes your owe and boost your refund.
The expert explained that taxpayers may choose to claim itemized deductions rather than the standard deduction if they qualify and their itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction amount.
Common itemized deductions include:
Mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt
State and local taxes (SALT) up to $10,000
Medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, or AGI
Charitable contributions
One important deduction is for self-employed Americans, who can claim business-related expenses such as home office expenses, supplies, and travel.
Self-employed taxpayers can also deduct expenses for vehicles used for business purposes, including fuel, maintenance, repairs, and insurance.
Ali also pointed out that students with income below a certain threshold can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest.
3. Take Advantage of Tax Credits
Taxpayers can also maximize their refunds by taking advantage of the tax credits they are eligible for, tax expert Stephen Fishman previously shared with The U.S. Sun.
“Getting a tax credit is the next best thing to paying no taxes at all because it reduces your taxes dollar for dollar, something a deduction doesn’t do,” said the expert.
“Congress has taken a great liking to tax credits in recent years and is adding new credits all the time.”
There are several key tax credits to keep in mind when filing your taxes, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable credit for low to moderate-income working individuals and families, especially those with children.
Americans can also claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying dependent under age 17, worth up to $2,000 per child.
Other notable tax credits include:
American Opportunity Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Adoption Credit
Residential Clean Energy Credit
Education Tax Credit
Energy Efficient Tax Credits
4. Contribute to an IRA
Another way to maximize your tax refund is by contributing money into a traditional Individual Retirement Account, or IRA.
These tax-advantaged savings accounts help taxpayers save for retirement while also providing opportunities for significant tax savings.
Putting money into a traditional IRA reduces an individual’s taxable income for the year by reducing their AGI by a dollar-for-dollar amount.
Contributing to a traditional IRA may make you eligible for certain tax credits or deductions, further increasing your potential savings.
DIFFERENCES BY STATE
When checking your refund status, it is important to bear in mind a few differences between states.
For example, each state has a different website for checking your refund status as well as a different timeline for when taxpayers can expert to receive their refund.
Tax Refunds by State
Here are the refund status websites for each state as well as an estimate for when you can expect to receive your tax refund after filing:
Alabama – My Alabama Taxes – 8 to 10 weeks
Arizona – Where’s My Refund? – Up to 10 days
Arkansas – ATAP – Up to 21 business days
California – Where’s My Refund? – Up to 3 weeks for e-file, or 3 months for paper returns
Colorado – Revenue Online – State of Colorado – Not specified
Connecticut – My ConneCT Revenue Services – 10 to 12 weeks for paper returns
Delaware – Check Refund Status – 10 to 12 weeks
Georgia – Check my Refund Status – Within 6 weeks
Hawaii – Hawaii Tax Online – 9 to 10 weeks for paper returns
Idaho – Welcome to State Tax Commission – 7 to 8 weeks for e-file or 10 to 11 weeks for paper returns
Illinois – Illinois Department of Revenue – Not specified
Indiana – DOR: Check the Status of Your Refund – At least 3 weeks for e-file, 12 weeks for paper returns
Iowa – Refund Status – Where’s My Refund? – Not specified
Kansas – Kansas Department of Revenue – Not specified
Kentucky – Where’s My Refund? – 4 to 6 weeks for e-file, 10 to 14 weeks for paper returns
Louisiana – LaTAP – 4 to 8 weeks
Maine – MRS – Refund Status Look Up – Within 8 weeks
Maryland – Maryland Taxes – 30 days
Massachusetts – MassTaxConnect – Up to 11 weeks
Michigan – eServices Individual Income Tax – 3 to 4 weeks for e-file
Minnesota – Where’s My Refund? – Not specified
Mississippi – Individual Income Tax – 10 weeks
Missouri – Obtaining the status of your tax return – Not specified
Montana – Where’s My Refund? – 2 to 18 weeks
Nebraska – Income Tax Refund Status – A minimum of 30 days
New Jersey – Check the Status of Your New Jersey Income Tax Refund – A minimum of 4 weeks for e-file
New Mexico – Where Is My Refund? : Individuals – 6 to 8 weeks
New York – Check your refund status online 24/7! – Not specified
North Carolina – Refund Inquiry Selection – 3 to 6 weeks
North Dakota – North Dakota Taxpayer Access Point – Not specified
Ohio – Check My Refund Status – Not specified
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Tax Commission – 14 to 21 days
Oregon – Revenue Online – Not specified
Pennsylvania – Where’s My Refund? – 8 to 10 weeks
Rhode Island – Taxation Refund Status – 10 to 15 business days
South Carolina – Refunds – 6 to 8 weeks
Utah – Where’s My Refund? – 120 days
Vermont – Check Your Return or Refund Status – 6 to 8 weeks
Virginia – Individual Online Account – 4 to 8 weeks
Washington, D.C. – MyTax DC – Up to 8 weeks
West Virginia – MyTaxes – Within 21 days
Wisconsin – DOR Where’s My Refund – It’s Refund 123 – Less than 12 weeks
Source: News Nation Now
Taxpayers in different states may also need to provide different information to view their refund status.
For example, those in California need their Social Security number, ZIP code, exact amount of their refund, and their mailing address.
Residents of Missouri, on the other hand, only need their Social Security number, filing status, and anticipated refund or balance due.
Taxpayers should keep in mind that nine states do not have state income taxes:
Alaska
Florida
Nevada
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Washington
Wyoming
As Americans rush to submit their tax returns on time, the IRS has revealed that millions of tax refunds sent this year are 32% lower – but there are two credits that could boost your payment.
Plus, read about the seven changes that will impact your tax returns.
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