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This newsletter is brought to you by Life Kit intern Mika Ellison

Happy tax season! Or, if you’re like most people, stressful tax season!

When you’re going through the business of filing your tax return, it can be tempting to spice it up a little by trying out a tax hack — maybe a loophole or a refund that you’ve heard about through social media. It can’t hurt, and the IRS won’t actually audit you, right?

Wrong! Tax scams and faulty tax advice have real consequences, says Mark Gallegos, a certified public accountant and a partner at accounting firm Porte Brown. So take the time to vet any tax advice you’re considering.

He shares three questions to ask yourself before you follow tax advice from social media.

Beware of tax scams

Chloe Sun/NPR

Does it seem like everyone qualifies for this tax hack?

If someone is telling you that everyone qualifies for this “little-known tax loophole” … you probably don’t, Gallegos says. “Tax law is highly fact-specific. Credits and deductions have eligibility tests, income limits, documentation requirements and even industry-specific criteria.”

Even if you do seem to qualify, it’s best to consult a primary source — IRS.gov — or ask a qualified professional before taking any action.

Is the person giving me this advice qualified?

There are professionals qualified to give you tax advice; those can include certified public accountants, tax attorneys and enrolled agents. Some financial advisors, like certified financial planners, are qualified to tell you how taxes impact your financial plan, but they won’t necessarily be technical experts on the tax code.

If the person you’re getting a tax tip from is not one of the above, and they aren’t citing their sources, take their advice with a hefty grain of salt.

Does the tax hack make me play “IRS roulette?”

If the tax tip you’re considering relies on the idea that the IRS might just skip over your tax return, or that IRS agents or tax examiners might overlook it, it’s not legit.

Hoping or thinking that the IRS will just “miss” a discrepancy is like playing “IRS roulette,” Gallegos says. It’s not worth the gamble, and you could end up paying penalties and interest in addition to what you owe. In extreme cases, you could also be prosecuted.

Avoid these common tax scams

Keep your finances organized with Life Kit

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🗓️ If doing your taxes always feels like a slog, this story has great tips on how to reframe your relationship with "life admin" — tedious tasks like paying bills and signing forms.

🩺 If tax season caught you by surprise, give yourself a financial checkup, like checking your investments and making sure your savings are growing.

🧹If you're not sure how to store your receipts and tax documents, this guide has good advice on how to organize paperwork.

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Staff recommendations: How we get into the spirit of spring

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Photo Illustration by Beck Harlan/NPR

I look ahead

I like to plan my goals for the warmer months! From this Life Kit episode, I learned you can kickstart a new habit anytime, as long as there's symbolic meaning behind it, a phenomenon called the "fresh start effect." I hope to recommit to my twice-weekly practice of weight training, which I started in January, and start planting my garden a lot earlier this year. — Malaka Gharib, digital editor, Life Kit

I pay attention

I really try to use my power of attention as the seasons turn. This episode of Life Kit reminds me to appreciate and be on the lookout for all the tiny signs of spring — the new crocus sprouting on my favorite nature walk, the way the light looks on the sidewalk now that the days are longer. I know from another episode that savoring even the small things helps amplify your reserve of positive feelings. — Meghan Keane, supervising editor, Life Kit

I clean!

The scariest part of the season for me is spring cleaning — I always tell myself that this year is the one where I deep clean my whole apartment, organize everything and keep it nice and tidy for the rest of time. And then I contemplate the whole project and feel very defeated. Luckily we have an episode for that! I love this guide to cleaning house for the overwhelmed and use it as a starting point all the time. — Mika Ellison, Life Kit intern

Try a free month of Life Kit+

Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening and even some specially curated playlists of episodes by theme (Master your budget, Organize your life, Move your body, and more).

Check out all the NPR+ benefits available at plus.npr.org and use the code "freemonth" for a 30 day trial of Life Kit+!

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Send us your questions!

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We're considering a segment where we give you advice directly, based on the reporting we've done over the years.

Do you want to hear our host Marielle Segarra answer your questions about money or health care? Or to hear our reporter Andee Tagle answer your questions on home and family life? Do you have questions for the rest of our team, or questions on something else entirely? Let us know! Send us an email at lifekit@npr.org.

Don't miss these must-read stories

Photo illustration by Beck Harlan/NPR

Too hyped up to sleep? Rituals to calm your body and mind before bed. The chaos of the day can make it hard to shut off your brain and fall asleep. Here's how to create a relaxing environment before bedtime to help you quiet the chatter and feel ready for sleep.

5 ways to resist the urge to keep looking at your phone. So you want to spend less time on your phone. How do you do that when it's designed to suck you in? Life Kit spoke to experts in behavioral science, psychology and technology for real-world advice.

6 design tricks to transform your home, according to a feng shui expert. Fall in love with your home again with these feng shui-inspired decorating tips from architect Cliff Tan. They focus on creating an environment that feels happy, harmonious and full of good energy.

Look out 👀 for these upcoming topics

We’re working hard on new episodes. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from Life Kit in the coming weeks.

🦷 Dealing with the dentist

🏢 Returning to work after kids

📚 How to get your book published

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