Tax returns ­– both federal and state — are due to be filed and postmarked by the end of day Tuesday. If you’re a late filer, make sure you’re doing everything you can to maximize your return.

First, if you live in West Virginia, new for the 2024 tax year is the MV-1 form. If you qualified for this credit by paying your personal property taxes on time in 2023-24, then you should have received a letter from the West Virginia Tax Department that you’ll need to help file your state taxes. Depending on how you paid and the number of vehicles, etc. you own, the credit can up to a few thousand dollars or more in a direct credit against what you might have owed. Don’t leave this one on the table.

As we do ponder the upcoming Tax Day, it’s good to realize just how our tax dollars are being spent.

Currently, about 50% of the federal budget comes directly from personal income taxes. Another 36% comes from other payroll taxes such as social security, according to the Tax Policy Center.

And the federal budget is huge — and growing. The fiscal 2025 budget is $7.26 trillion. The budget planned for fiscal year 2026 is projected at $7.41 trillion. Of course, these projections do not include any federal government cuts being implemented by the Trump Administration. The budget will have to be revised to factor in those changes.

For this fiscal year, our nation’s budget deficit — the total spent versus what’s brought in — is nearly $1.8 trillion. That’s one of the reasons changes are taking place within the federal system.

Tax time is always a good time to think about how we can work with our federal lawmakers to get government spending under control.

And while you’re pondering how to do that, don’t forget to file your taxes.