1) Filing status
Rethink your filing status
Your status changes your standard deduction and access to several credits. If you qualify for Head of Household, for example, you could see a better outcome than Single.
2) Deductions
Embrace deductions — itemize when it beats the standard
Add up mortgage interest, SALT, charitable gifts, and medical expenses. If they exceed your standard deduction, itemize on Schedule A. If not, keep great records anyway — some deductions (like student loan interest or HSA) don’t require itemizing.
3) Savings that lower taxes
Max out IRA & HSA contributions when eligible
Traditional IRA contributions may reduce taxable income, and HSA contributions are triple-tax-advantaged if you have a high-deductible health plan. Many filers also qualify for the Saver’s Credit on top of those contributions.
4) Timing moves
Use timing to your advantage
Some actions are deadline-sensitive. You can make IRA contributions up to the filing deadline for the prior tax year. Charitable “bunching” — grouping multiple years of donations into one year — can help you cross the itemizing threshold.
5) Credits
Become credit-savvy (refund boosters)
Credits reduce tax dollar-for-dollar and can increase refunds. Review eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and education credits each year.
Source inspiration: TurboTax’s “5 Hidden Ways to Boost Your Tax Refund.” We rewrote it for Meta Tax and linked to non-IRS primers for quick reading. General education only; confirm current limits and thresholds before acting.