Navigating the 2025 Tax Season: Key Steps and Common Pitfalls for Filers

BECKLEY, W.Va. – With the April 2025 tax filing deadline on the horizon, millions of Americans are gathering documents and preparing their returns. For first-time filers and seasoned taxpayers alike, this period can bring confusion and last-minute stress. To clarify the process, 59News spoke with Tony Martin, a seasoned tax specialist based in Beckley, for his annual guidance.

Martin's primary advice is foundational: ensure you have received all necessary income documentation before you begin. "The most critical step is confirming you have all your wage and tax statements," Martin emphasized. "If you're working with a professional, provide every document from every income source you had throughout the year." Employers are required to mail W-2 forms by January 31, but filers should also account for income from freelance work, side gigs, or investment platforms, which may arrive on different 1099 forms.

Failing to report all income, even from informal side jobs, can trigger IRS penalties and interest charges later. This is especially pertinent in today's gig economy, where multiple income streams are common. Martin notes that the IRS receives copies of most tax documents, making discrepancies easy for them to spot.

The current filing deadline is April 15, 2025. Taxpayers can request an extension until October 15, but any owed payments are still due in April to avoid penalties.

Voices from the Community

We asked local residents for their thoughts on the approaching tax season:

• David Chen, Small Business Owner: "As someone who manages both business and personal taxes, Martin's point about side income is crucial. Many new entrepreneurs don't realize that platform earnings are taxable. Staying organized year-round is the only way to avoid April chaos."
• Rebecca Miller, Recent Graduate: "This is my first time filing without being a dependent. The process feels overwhelming, but knowing the key dates and required documents upfront is a huge help. I'll definitely double-check for any freelance forms."
• Marcus Johnson, Retail Manager: "It's the same song and dance every year—complicated forms designed to confuse the average person. The system feels punitive, especially for those working multiple jobs just to get by. They make it easy to make a costly 'mistake.'"
• Priya Sharma, Accountant: "Starting early is the best advice I can give. The last-minute rush leads to errors. Martin is right: gather everything, then file. Consider using free IRS filing tools if your income is below a certain threshold."

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