Income tax filing season is around the corner. Take these steps so you’re prepared.
Review Changes
Did you recently get married or divorced, or experience the death of a spouse? These and other life events could affect your filing status, tax benefit eligibility, and tax return.
- See Filing Status for more information on your requirements.
- Visit How to Change Your Name, Address, or Social Security Number for instructions on changing your personal information.
- Review our Tax Tips for Newlyweds page if you recently got married.
- Visit our Deceased Individuals page if you’re a surviving spouse.
Gather and Organize Records
You should keep your tax records for at least 3 years Having a copy of last year’s tax return on hand may make filing this year’s return easier. For example, if you’re using a software product for the first time, you may need to provide information from the previous year.
- Visit Recordkeeping for Individual Income Tax Purposes for additional information about what records to hold onto.
- If you need a copy of a previous return, see Request a Copy of a Tax Return to learn how you can obtain one.
You should keep your business records for at least 3 years.
- Visit Recordkeeping for additional information about what records to hold onto.
- The IRS offers additional guidance about what business records you should keep.
Most business returns must be filed electronically. See the “How to File and Pay” sections of these pages for more information, including links to lists of approved software providers:
- Corporations
- Pass-through Entities (Partnerships, LLCs, S-Corporations, etc.)
Stay Alert
Scammers and fraudsters can pose as employees of Virginia Tax, the IRS, or other government agencies. Then they contact unsuspecting taxpayers and pressure them in the hopes of obtaining confidential personal information. Some may claim that you violated a tax law, cheated on tax credits, or failed to pay money to the commonwealth, or the federal government. As we head into tax season, review our Refund Fraud Prevention page for tips on how to protect yourself against fraud. The IRS also has detailed information to help you identify tax scams and fraud.