Your 2025 taxes

What landed in your accounts, after taxes and deductions came out. Your W-2 shows what you earned before them, and that's the figure your return needs.

Interest is taxable. Each bank that paid you $10 or more sends a 1099-INT by early February.

Money from clients, side work or selling things online can be taxable even when no form arrives. Nothing was taken out of it for taxes, so a large amount can mean a bill in April, or quarterly estimated payments.

Keep the charity's written receipt for any single gift of $250 or more. Gifts to campaigns, parties or people aren't deductible.

Doctors, dentists, eye care, prescriptions and hospitals. They lower your taxes only if you itemize, and only the part above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. A pharmacy's total is everything bought there, so count only the medicine.

Up to $2,500 of the interest can lower your taxable income even if you don't itemize, depending on what you earn. Your loan servicer's 1098-E shows it.