| Always File | | | | advantage of available deductions then you should |
| A lot of college students do not work full time, or at all, | | | | prepare your return early. This way you will have |
| while in school and therefore are not technically | | | | ample time to sort out any problems or incorrect data. |
| required to file a tax return. However, it is smart to | | | | The IRS has representatives available to help you, but |
| always file a return, regardless of your income, as it is | | | | they can be a little bit harder to get a hold of towards |
| better to be safe then sorry and you might even | | | | the end of tax season. |
| qualify for a refund. | | | | Beware of the EZ Route |
| | | | Filing a 1040EZ may be “easy”, but it can also |
| Getting help on your taxes is nothing to be ashamed | | | | get you into trouble if it is not the right form for you. |
| of. The IRS website has answers to hundreds of | | | | Before filing a 1040EZ you should check to see if your |
| questions, and has special sections to help taxpayers | | | | parent claims you as a dependent, as you cannot use |
| filing a return for the first time. Also, you may want to | | | | this form if another taxpayer claims you as a |
| hire a tax professional or accountant if you do not | | | | dependent. |
| think you can prepare your return on your own. | | | | Loan Deductions |
| Tax Credits | | | | If you received any student loans in the past year then |
| The government has dozens of tax credits designed | | | | make sure to look into student loan interest deductions. |
| to help college students; you just have to find them. By | | | | Instructions on how to deduct these expenses as well |
| going to the IRS website, you can easily find a list of | | | | as whether you qualify can be found on IRS Form |
| credits available to students as wells as the information | | | | 1040 as well as IRS.gov. |
| that you will need to find out if you are eligible or not. | | | | Make a Copy |
| Check the Numbers | | | | After all is said and done, checked and |
| No matter what strategy you use to file your taxes, | | | | double-checked, make a copy of all your documents |
| be sure to check all the numbers before you send it in. | | | | and forms before sending them in. Although highly |
| You would be surprised at how many people send in | | | | unlikely, if the government does not receive all of your |
| tax returns with an incorrect social security number or | | | | information or claims you did not send it then you will |
| address. | | | | be glad you kept an extra copy. Additionally, you can |
| Start Early | | | | also use your completed return as a guide for next |
| Waiting until the last minute to file is not always the | | | | year! |
| best idea for a student. If you want to take full | | | | |