IRS Issues Guidance & Warnings for 2025 Tax Season

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently published several News Releases that offer guidance and tips for U.S. taxpayers during the 2025 tax season. It has published some important warnings as well. These resources are well worth reading, and taxpayers in Massachusetts should consult with a Boston IRS tax lawyer if they have any questions or concerns.

IRS Resources for the 2025 Tax Season: Highlights for Taxpayers in Massachusetts

Here are three resources the IRS has published for U.S. taxpayers over the past month:

1. The IRS’ “Top Tips” for Tax Season

In a News Release titled, IRS Offers Top Tips to Make Tax Time Easier, the IRS offers several pieces of practical advice for ensuring that taxpayers are prepared to accurately prepare their annual returns and submit them on time. Most importantly, the IRS advises that taxpayers should “[r]eport all types of income . . . to avoid receiving a notice or a bill from the IRS.” This includes (but is not limited to) types of income such as:

• Investment income (including cryptocurrency income)
• Income from part-time or seasonal work
• Self-employment income
• Income for services provided through mobile apps (i.e., driving for Uber or Lyft)
• Income for goods sold through online platforms

Under the Internal Revenue Code, U.S. taxpayers must report their worldwide income from all sources to the IRS. Failing to report income is among the most common triggers for IRS audits, and it can expose taxpayers to liability for interest and penalties.

2. “Essentials” for Filing a Tax Return in 2025

In another News Release titled, Tax Time Guide 2025: Essentials Needed for Filing a 2024 Tax Return, the IRS provides some additional tips for filing an accurate return in 2025. It also makes note of some (but not all) of the changes that will impact many U.S. taxpayers’ returns this year. These include changes to the standard deduction, child tax credit, earned income tax credit, adoption credit, clean vehicle credit, and IRS contribution limit, among others. This News Release also discusses the recent changes to the 1099-K reporting requirements that apply to payment apps, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs).

3. IRS “Urges” Taxpayers to Be Careful When Choosing Tax Preparers

In a third News Release titled, IRS Urges Taxpayers to Choose Tax Preparers Carefully to Protect Their Personal Information, the IRS provides tips for choosing a tax preparer and identifies some potential red flags. It also provides an important reminder: “Taxpayers are legally responsible for the accuracy of their income tax return, even if someone else prepares it.”

Questions or Concerns? Request a Confidential Consultation with Boston IRS Tax Lawyer Kevin E. Thorn

Do you have questions or concerns about federal tax compliance during the 2025 tax season? If so, we invite you to get in touch. To request a confidential consultation with Boston IRS tax lawyer Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, please call 617-692-2989 or tell us how we can reach you online today.