The April 15th Countdown: 5 Ways Bergen County Residents Can Maximize Their Return

As we hit the final two-week stretch before the April 15th deadline, many residents in Fair Lawn and across Bergen County are rushing to finalize their 1040s. ProAxis Tax & Accounting Services takes the stress out of this window. The firm makes sure you do not leave money on the table.

Key Areas to Check Before You File Your 2025 Return

The April 15, 2026 deadline applies to your 2025 federal Form 1040 and your NJ-1040. Before signing the return, work through these five focus areas. Most last-minute clients leave money on the table in at least one of them.

1. Remote Work and Multi-State Allocation

Bergen County and Fair Lawn residents who commute to NYC face the most common multi-state filing trap. New York taxes wages you earn while physically working in NY. New Jersey taxes all your income but gives a credit for tax paid to NY.

If you split your week between a New York office and your New Jersey home, the day-by-day allocation matters. Get it wrong and you can owe thousands more than you should. Or you can miss the credit and pay tax twice on the same income.

ProAxis handles the NY-IT-203 nonresident return alongside the NJ-1040 every year. The firm reconstructs the workday allocation from calendar entries when records are thin.

2. Last-Minute Retirement Contributions

You can still reduce your 2025 taxable income after January 1, 2026. The window closes on April 15, 2026 (or your filing date, whichever comes first). Eligible contributions include:

• Traditional IRA: Up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). Deductibility phases out at higher incomes if you have a workplace plan.
• Roth IRA: Same $7,000 / $8,000 limits. No current-year deduction, but tax-free growth and withdrawals.
• SEP-IRA (self-employed): Up to 25% of net self-employment earnings, capped at $69,000 for 2025.
• Solo 401(k) (self-employed): Employee contributions of $23,000 ($30,500 if age 50+) plus employer profit-sharing.
• HSA (high-deductible health plan): $4,150 single / $8,300 family for 2025 ($1,000 extra if age 55+).

Tell your CPA before you file. The deduction has to be claimed on the return. The contribution has to be made before the deadline or extension date.

3. Childcare and Dependent Care Credits

The Child and Dependent Care Credit covers up to $3,000 per child (or $6,000 for two or more) in qualifying expenses. Bergen County preschool and camp providers usually issue tax IDs upon request — but you have to ask. Gather these records before you file:

• Provider name and address
• Provider EIN or SSN (required on Form 2441)
• Total amount paid in 2025 per child
• Dates of care

If the provider refuses to give the EIN, the credit is still available. You need to document a good-faith request. File Form 2441 explaining the missing tax ID.

4. Streamlined Document Collection

Last-minute filers often delay because the document pile feels overwhelming. ProAxis only needs a category-level summary in most cases — not every receipt. What ProAxis typically needs:

• W-2s and any 1099s (1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV)
• Mortgage interest 1098 and property tax records
• Year-end brokerage statement (1099-B for capital gains)
• Total deductible categories summarized: medical, charitable, business mileage
• Prior-year return as a reference for carryforwards

The firm handles bracket calculations, schedule preparation, and NJ allocations. The client provides the data.

5. New 2026 Tax Law Changes That Affect 2025 Returns

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) restructured several 2025 tax rules. Last-minute filers often miss these changes:

• SALT deduction cap raised to $40,000 (from $10,000) for filers under specified income thresholds.
• Standard deduction increased to $15,750 (single), $31,500 (MFJ), $23,625 (head of household).
• Senior bonus deduction added for taxpayers age 65 and older.
• NJ BAIT election still available for pass-through owners — and now more valuable when paired with the higher SALT cap.

If your 2025 income is high enough that the higher SALT cap applies, itemizing may now beat the standard deduction. That holds even in households where it did not before. Run the numbers both ways before filing.

Common Last-Minute Filing Mistakes to Avoid

ProAxis sees the same five mistakes every year in the final two weeks:

1. Filing without W-2s in hand. Wait for all wage statements. A late-arriving W-2 forces a Form 1040-X amendment.
2. Forgetting NJ Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze). NJ residents age 65 and older should check eligibility before filing.
3. Missing the NJ BAIT election. Pass-through owners with NJ income can elect entity-level NJ tax for federal SALT relief.
4. Underpaying state estimated taxes. NJ underpayment penalties are separate from federal. File the NJ-1040-ES alongside the federal 1040-ES.
5. Choosing direct deposit incorrectly. A wrong account number delays refunds by 6 to 8 weeks while the IRS reissues a paper check.

If You Cannot File by April 15

A federal extension (Form 4868) gives you until October 15, 2026 to file. The extension must be requested before April 15. A NJ extension (Form NJ-630) must be filed separately. Two important rules apply:

• An extension to file is not an extension to pay. Estimate what you owe and pay it by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
• Extension does not extend IRA contribution deadlines for current-year deductions in some cases. Check with your CPA before assuming you have until October.

ProAxis files extensions for clients who need more time. The firm calculates a safe-harbor estimated payment. The firm files Form 4868 and NJ-630 before April 15. ProAxis then prepares the full return in May or June when documents are complete.

What to Do If You Owe Money

If your 2025 return shows a balance due, you have several payment options:

• Pay in full by April 15 — avoids all penalties and interest.
• Short-term payment plan — up to 180 days for balances under $100,000.
• Long-term IRS installment agreement — up to 72 months for balances under $50,000 with simple online setup.
• Offer in Compromise — for balances you cannot reasonably pay in full. Requires Form 656 and full financial disclosure.

ProAxis includes IRS resolution work as a core service. Last-minute filers who owe more than they can pay should call before April 15. Penalty abatement and installment options are easier to negotiate before liens are filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a 2025 federal tax return? The 2025 federal income tax return (Form 1040) is due April 15, 2026. The NJ-1040 has the same deadline. If you file Form 4868 federal extension and NJ-630 state extension by April 15, you have until October 15, 2026 to file the return. Any tax owed is still due April 15.

Can ProAxis file my return on April 14? Yes — but earlier is better. ProAxis prioritizes existing clients in the final 72 hours before the deadline. New-client onboarding in the last 48 hours is possible but limited. Schedule a free consultation as soon as possible if you have not started your return.

How much does it cost to have ProAxis prepare a last-minute return? ProAxis fees depend on return complexity, not urgency. A standard 1040 with W-2 income and standard deduction starts around $300. Returns with rental property, multi-state allocation, S-Corp K-1s, or self-employment income range higher. Last-minute filers do not pay a rush surcharge.

What if I miss the April 15 deadline entirely? You face two penalties. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% of unpaid tax per month (capped at 25%). The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% per month. Filing late with no balance due owes nothing — but a refund expires after three years. Always file even if you cannot pay. The failure-to-file penalty is ten times the failure-to-pay penalty.

ProAxis Tax & Accounting Services is a trade name of Dor Israel, CPA LLC.

Get Help Before the Deadline

ProAxis can get your return filed accurately and on time:

• Last-Minute Tax Filing — Full 16-Day Guide to the April 15, 2026 Deadline — In-depth strategy guide with OBBB updates, free extension options, and refund-saving moves
• Tax Preparation — Federal 1040, NJ-1040, and business returns prepared by licensed CPAs
• Tax Extension Filing — File a federal and NJ extension before April 15 to avoid late-filing penalties
• Tax Planning & Strategy — Capture last-minute deductions before you file
• Schedule a Free Consultation — Speak with a Bergen County CPA before the deadline