Tax season can be stressful, but understanding how your income and tax choices affect your return may help you avoid surprises. Small steps, like adjusting how much tax is withheld from your paycheck or choosing the right deductions, can have a big impact.
Knowing how adjusted gross income (AGI), deductions, and credits work can help you plan better and stay on top of your tax situation. It also helps to know what it means when your return is marked as “accepted” and how to track your refund once it’s filed. The information below is geared toward the 2025 tax year, which you’ll file in 2026.
What Is Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)?
Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, is your total income for the year minus certain eligible deductions. These can include things like retirement contributions, student loan interest, or self-employment expenses.
Your AGI matters because it’s used to figure out how much of your income is taxable. It also affects whether you qualify for tax credits and deductions. A lower AGI can sometimes mean a lower tax bill.
Ways to Potentially Lower Your AGI
Contribute to a retirement account: Putting money into a 401(k) or traditional IRA may reduce your AGI.
Use a Health Savings Account (HSA): If you have a high-deductible health plan, HSA contributions are deductible and may lower your AGI.
Claim above-the-line deductions: These include student loan interest, tuition, or certain business expenses if you’re self-employed.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions
When filing your taxes, you can choose between taking the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. Both options reduce your taxable income, but the best choice depends on your financial situation.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction is a fixed amount that reduces your taxable income. For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction amounts are:
$15,000 for single filers and married individuals filing separately
$30,000 for married couples filing jointly
$22,500 for heads of household
Most taxpayers opt for the standard deduction because it’s straightforward and doesn’t require detailed record-keeping.
Itemized Deductions
Itemizing allows you to deduct specific expenses, which can be beneficial if your total deductions exceed the standard deduction. Common itemized deductions include:
Mortgage interest on your home loan
Charitable contributions to qualified organizations
State and local taxes (SALT), capped at $10,000
Medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI
Itemizing requires thorough documentation, but it can lead to greater tax savings if your deductible expenses are substantial.
Bunching Deductions
If your itemized deductions are close to the standard deduction amount, consider “bunching” deductions. This strategy involves timing certain expenses, like medical procedures or charitable donations, so they fall within the same tax year, allowing you to itemize one year and take the standard deduction the next.
Tax Credits That Could Help Lower Your Tax Bill
Tax credits are one of the most effective ways to reduce your tax bill. Unlike deductions, which lower your taxable income, credits reduce the amount of tax you owe directly—dollar for dollar.
Common Tax Credits for 2025
Here are a few credits that may be available to taxpayers in 2025, depending on their income, family size, and other factors:
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): This credit is intended for low- to moderate-income workers. The amount varies based on your income and the number of qualifying children in your household. Even individuals without children may qualify for a smaller amount. For 2025, the EITC can range from about $632 to $7,830.
Child Tax Credit (CTC): If you have a qualifying child under age 17, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $2,000. Up to $1,700 of that amount may be refundable, depending on your income level.
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC): This credit is available for undergraduate students in their first four years of college. It offers up to $2,500 per eligible student for qualified education expenses, such as tuition and course materials. If the credit brings your tax bill to zero, you may receive up to $1,000 as a refund.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC): This credit provides up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified education expenses. It can be used for any level of postsecondary education and is available to part-time students or those taking courses to improve job skills. Unlike the AOTC, this credit is not refundable.
Who Qualifies?
Each credit has specific eligibility criteria, and it’s important to check those carefully. Here are the general rules for each one:
Earned Income Tax Credit: You may qualify if you have earned income from a job or self-employment and your income falls below the IRS limit for your filing status and number of children. If you don’t have children, you must be at least 25 but under 65 and meet other eligibility rules.
Child Tax Credit: You can claim this credit if you have a qualifying child under age 17 who lives with you for more than half the year and has a valid Social Security number. Your income must also fall below the phaseout thresholds to claim the full amount.
American Opportunity Tax Credit: You may qualify if you’re pursuing a degree or recognized credential and are enrolled at least half-time for at least one academic term. You can’t have completed four years of college or have a felony drug conviction.
Lifetime Learning Credit: You may be eligible if you’re enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution and paying qualified education expenses. This credit is available for part-time students and those taking courses to improve job skills. There’s no limit on the number of years you can claim it, but income limits apply.
For all credits, you must provide proper documentation and meet filing requirements. Using IRS resources or reputable tax software can help ensure you don’t miss out on credits you may qualify for.
Checking the Status of Your Tax Return
After filing your tax return, it’s natural to want to know where things stand. The terms “accepted” and “approved” often come up, and it’s helpful to know what they mean and what to expect next.
What Does “Accepted” Mean?
When the IRS “accepts” your return, it means they’ve received it and completed a basic review for errors, such as incorrect Social Security numbers or missing forms. This is the first step, and it usually happens within 24 to 48 hours of e-filing. Acceptance does not mean your return has been fully processed or that your refund is approved.
What Does “Approved” Mean?
Once your return is reviewed and processed, the IRS may approve your refund. Approval means the IRS is ready to send your money, either by direct deposit or mail. This step can take days or weeks, depending on your situation.
How to Track Your Refund
You can check the status of your refund using the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. To use it, you’ll need:
Your Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Your filing status
The exact amount of your expected refund
The tool updates once a day, usually overnight. It will show you when your return is received, approved, and when the refund has been sent.
Helpful Tips for Organizing Your Tax Year
Planning ahead can make a big difference at tax time. These simple steps may help you avoid surprises and stay on top of your finances throughout the year.
Adjust Your Withholding
If you consistently owe money or get large refunds, it might be time to check your tax withholding. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you figure out if you’re having the right amount taken out of your paycheck. A large refund may sound good, but it often means you’ve been giving the government an interest-free loan.
Keep Good Records
Save documents like W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductions, and records of tax-deductible contributions. Organizing your paperwork now makes filing easier later—and it reduces the chances of missing a credit or deduction.
Make Use of Tax-Advantaged Accounts
If you’re eligible, contributing to accounts like a 401(k), traditional IRA, or Health Savings Account (HSA) can help reduce your taxable income. These contributions may also support long-term savings goals like retirement or medical expenses.
Wrapping Up
Getting your taxes in order doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding how adjusted gross income, deductions, and credits affect your tax return, you can make smarter decisions throughout the year. Keeping good records, using helpful tools, and planning ahead can make filing easier—and might even reduce your tax bill.
Even small steps can add up over time. The more informed you are, the better prepared you’ll be each tax season.
