Tax Season Resources and Tools

Let’s be honest. Tax season can be stressful. Gathering all the necessary documents—W-2s, 1099s, 1098s for mortgage interest, investment and retirement statements, and a list of valid deductions—can feel overwhelming. But as long as you have a checklist, tracking down these documents shouldn’t be too difficult.

Whether it's your first time filing taxes or you're just looking to be better prepared, Banzai has resources to help. And yes, that includes helping you create a checklist of everything you need before heading to your accountant (or accounting software).

Understanding Federal Income Taxes

If you're new to federal income taxes, you might need a refresher on how they work and why we pay them. The resource linked above provides a simple overview so you understand where your money goes when you pay or collect taxes each year. Next, “A Guide To Understanding and Paying Taxes” breaks down why taxes exist, who’s required to file a return, and when and how to do it. From there, “Completing a Tax Return” walks you through filing methods, selecting a filing status, calculating deductions and credits, and understanding what happens after you file.

Your Tax Return Pregame

In this Coach session, users learn the basics of filing taxes and how key factors—filing status, deductions, and credits—affect what they owe or get refunded. It also helps them build a detailed tax portfolio, ensuring they have the right documents, information, and statuses ready to hand over to their accountant—hassle-free.

Federal Income Tax Withholdings Calculator

Ever wonder how much of your paycheck goes toward federal income taxes? Banzai’s Federal Income Tax Withholdings Calculator helps you determine both the percentage of your income being withheld and the exact dollar amount deducted each month.

By entering details like your income, filing status, and withholdings, you’ll get a clear picture of how much is set aside for taxes—so you can adjust accordingly and avoid surprises come tax season. Whether you want to fine-tune your withholdings for a bigger paycheck now or ensure you’re covering your tax liability, this tool makes it easy to plan ahead.

Want to help students learn more about taxes, check out this Wellness Center article: “How to Teach Income Tax: Lessons & Resources”