Tax Season Isn’t Over: Smart Financial Moves Post-April 15

16 Apr 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:20

In this single‑speaker financial‑advice video, Louis Barajas reminds viewers that filing taxes on April 15 is not the end of the tax season but the beginning of a series of strategic financial actions. He walks through a step‑by‑step post‑filing checklist: first, review the completed tax return and the W‑2 (especially line 12) to see whether retirement contributions were maximized and, if not, increase payroll deferrals for the next year. Next, examine whether a refund was received or a balance was owed and adjust the W‑4 accordingly to avoid over‑ or under‑withholding. He then explains how adjusted gross income (AGI) determines eligibility for IRA, Roth IRA, education credits, and other tax benefits, and suggests lowering AGI through additional retirement or health‑savings contributions. Barajas highlights common missed deductions and credits—child‑care, education, charitable donations—and urges viewers to capture them for future returns. For side‑hustlers and small‑business owners, he stresses tracking business income, making estimated tax payments, and considering retirement vehicles such as SEP IRAs, solo 401(k)s, or even changing the business entity. He also notes that major life events (marriage, divorce, home purchase, new baby, retirement, job change) should trigger a tax‑strategy refresh. The video concludes with a call to join his “Finanzas con Corazón” community to support a Latino economic movement.

Chapters

Well, I made it through my 46th tax season, and after April 15th, most people think that tax season is over. But let me tell you something, April 15th is not the finish line, it's just a starting point for making smarter financial decisions. Now, once your tax return is filed, you actually should go back and review it. You know, we're at past April 15th, this is the time to do it. So, and also one of the things that you also want to do is you want to go back and review your W-2. Now, on the W-2, on line 12, it's going to tell you how much you contributed to your retirement plan and you gotta see if you max it out. If not, this is the time to increase your payroll contributions so that next year you build more retirement wealth automatically. Also, next, check whether you got a refund or owed money. If you owe too much money, you need to go back and adjust the Form W-4 with the benefits person. Now, withholding a little more out of each paycheck is better than getting hit with a painful bill next year. Also, if you got a big refund, you wanna change that as well. You don't wanna get big refunds and lend the government money with no interest. Now you also got to take a look at your adjusted gross income. Now that number affects whether you qualify for IRA contributions, Roth IRAs, education credits, and other tax benefits. And if your income is kind of high, then there may be smart ways to reduce it through retirement contributions, health savings accounts. Also ask yourself, did I miss any deductions or other tax credits like child care credits, education credits, uh, charitable donations? A missed deduction this year teaches you how to organize better next year. If you own a business or a side hustle income, you have side hustle income, review that carefully as well. Did you set enough for taxes? Remember, they're not withholding your taxes, so you got to do it yourself. And also, you're paying your Social Security taxes through your tax return. Also, are you tracking your expenses correctly? Should you be using a SEP IRA, a solo 401k, or even changing your business entity structure? And finally, If your life changed this year, your tax strategy may need to change as well. Are you getting married? Are you divorcing? Are you buying a home? Are you having a baby? Are you going through retirement? Starting a new job? All those affect your taxes as well. Your tax return is just not paperwork, it's your financial report card. Study it, learn it, and use it to make better financial decisions next year. Help our Finanzas con Corazón community grow by following my page, liking and engaging, and also be part of creating a Latino economic revolution with us.