With a month left before the tax deadline, there are still 3 simple ways to cut your bill by around $4k

The tax deadline is now less than a month away for the majority of Americans. 

As of latest data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), around 63 million returns have been filed so far this season, with the average refund up 5.8 percent on last year.

This is less than half of the 146 million returns that the agency expects to receive this year, which means that the majority of taxpayers are still due to file in the coming weeks.

While experts warn that the 'toolbox' of options is much smaller now for lowering your tax bill with deductions and credits, there are still moves you can make to make filing easier - and cheaper.

Here are three things to consider before the filing deadline.

The April 15 tax deadline is now only a month away for the majority of Americans

1. Free filing options - save $160

This season, Americans have the choice of a variety of free filing options. 

Last week, the US Department of the Treasury announced Direct File - the free tax filing program from the IRS - is now fully open in 12 states. 

The service is open to taxpayers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Americans who live in these states, have simple filing needs and who report certain tax credits and deductions on their tax return, can create an account and file their taxes any time, the IRS said. 

According to a report from the Economic Security Project, within five years the program could save the average filer $160 per year - and hours of their time. 

It projects it could collectively save $11 billion annually between filing fees and time costs. 

'By breaking down barriers to filing, Direct File would also deliver up to $12 billion each year in additional tax credits to low-income families currently missing out,' it reads. 

Taxpayers in any state with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less can also file a return for free using Free File.

The service is allows eligible taxpayers to use guided software to prepare a return with one of eight tax preparation partners. 

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said many Americans do not realize they are overlooking the earned income tax credit

2. Claim a lesser-known credit - average $2,541

The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for low to middle-income workers.

To claim the EITC, you have to meet income qualifications and cannot make over a certain amount of investment income. 

You do not have to have a child to claim the credit, but generally, the more children you have, the higher the credit amount will be.

For this tax season, the credit amounts are $600, $3,995, $6,604 and $7,430, depending on your filing status and how many children you have.

Nearly one in five eligible filers miss the credit, which was an average of $2,541 last season, according to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. 

'This is a lot of money' and millions of Americans 'simply overlook it,' he said earlier this year.

Some taxpayers may also be eligible for tax credits for buying an electric vehicle, or making home energy improvements in 2023, according to the agency.

There are still some moves that it is not yet too late to make, according to certified public accountant Tom Wheelwright

3. Lower your tax bill - $1,560 in some cases

After the end of the calendar year, 'the toolbox of options is much smaller' for lowering your tax bill, John Loyd, owner of The Wealth Planner, told CNBC. 

For example, for a charitable donation to be considered tax deductible it must have been made by December 31 to be claimed on a return filed the next April. 

But there are still some moves that it is not yet too late to make, experts say.

There is still time to make contributions to a pretax individual retirement account (IRA), which may offer a deduction, depending on your income and workplace plan participation. 

For the 2023 tax year, the contribution limit is $6,500 - or $7,500 if you are 50 or over.

This can be done up until the April tax deadline. 

For example, a worker who pays a 24 percent tax rate and contributes $6,500 to an IRA would pay $1,560 less in federal income tax. Of course, they need to have the $6,500 spare - but it is money they are paying to themselves to use in the future so it is going to a good cause. 

And many people do not know that they can contribute earned income to a low-earning or non-working spouse's IRA account if they file a joint tax return as a married couple, said certified public accountant Tom Wheelwright. 

You can also still contribute to a health savings account (HSA), if you have an eligible insurance plan.

HSAs offer tax-free contributions, growth and withdrawals for eligible expenses such as doctor visits, dental and vision care and medication.