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5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Tax
5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Avoiding common tax filing mistakes can save you stress and money. The article explains five easy-to-make errors: filing too early, math miscalculations, choosing the wrong filing status, deductions or credits errors, and failing to report additional income. To prevent these, make sure you have all your tax documents before beginning, double-check all calculations, understand your taxpayer status, keep up-to-date records of expenses and incomes, and report all sources of income. If mistakes have been made, you can use Form 1040-X to file an amended return. Embrace these tips to ensure a smoother, penalty-free tax filing.
Introduction
If you have successfully paid your taxes this year, congratulations! As expected, you must not have made any mistake. If you have any, don't wait for the last-minute rush or extension. Get it rectified before the deadline.
If you are an individual who has no idea of tax filing or filing your return for the very first time, this blog is for you. But if you are a tax professional, this guide is actually for you.
Filing and meeting all the compliance requirements requires a precise understanding of fundamentals. Do not underestimate the simple things. Follow the simple checklist to avoid common tax filing mistakes.
To make your tax filing stress-free, here we have pointed out five tax filing mistakes to avoid.
Top 5 Tax Filing Mistakes
Filing Too Early
Miscalculations in Math
Choosing the right Filing Status
Errors in Deductions or Credits
Failing to Report Additional Income
1. Filing too early
While this doesn't seem to be a major mistake! But trust me, it is. Even the IRS strictly guides you over that.
I understand you don't want to be late or suffer the rush hour of filing. But you also should not file prematurely.
Impact: This may lead to an Error of Omission. You may fail to submit some of the tax reporting documents or completely forget to mention them. Early filing may lead you to incomplete information reporting. This will be an unnecessary burden of delay in the process.
How to Avoid: Wait until you are assured that all your tax reporting documents for the financial year are collected. Then, only start your filing process.
2. Miscalculations in Math
One of the most common errors in tax filing mistakes is the Error of Commission. In FY2016- 17, the IRS sent notices to 2.0 million taxpayers, identifying 2.5 million math errors.
Impact: This simple error can reduce your tax refund or pay a high tax bill. You might face an IRS agent at your home, business, or accountant’s office for an IRS audit. Relax, as it’s a rare case for individuals but not for businesses.
How to Avoid: Always double-check, whether it be simple addition and subtraction or complex calculations. Tax Software can be a great solution for error-free, free, accurate return filing with confidence.
3. Choosing the right Filing Status
The very first thing you must be clear about is your status as a taxpayer. If you are a tax professional filing on behalf of your client, please inquire about the possibilities. Some common things like Marital Status, Dependents, Head of Household, or Married Filing Jointly must be taken into account.
Impact: It affects their eligibility for key credit, tax rates, and standard deductions. Choosing the wrong filing status can be costly not only in the payment of penalties and interest but also in failing to utilize better tax brackets and a higher standard deduction.
For example,
Married filing separately is disqualified from Tax credits and deductions like Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), AOC, Student Loan Interest Deduction, Tuition and Fees Deduction, etc.
Filing under the status Head of Household offers a better tax bracket and higher SD than Filing Single.
How to Avoid: Do not rush. Wait for the right filing time until all the necessary tax documents are collected. Ask your client's right question. Understand their marital status, household dynamics, dependents, custody, etc. Your small little efforts can make a big difference - because due diligence here goes a long way.
But if you are an individual assessing for yourself, the Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov will be your guide.
4. Errors in Deductions or Credits
Where a seasoned professional tends to trip up, no comments for individuals. Common mistakes when filing taxes are either you miss the credit or deduction you are eligible for or end up claiming the one that you are not qualified for.
Impact: A simple wrong choice can lead to a Correction Notice from the IRS or a lesser refund. What could be worse than owning more tax than expected? These errors in deduction and credits can lead you through this.
How to Avoid: The solution is simple,
Keep records of receipts, donations, and expense documents if planning a claim.
Laws change frequently, so be sure to use the most recent IRS tables and tax forms.
Cross-check the commonly misunderstood credits like Education and Child Tax.
If nothing works for you, use tax software or consult a tax professional or IRS Interactive Tax Assistant.
Identify different types of IRS tax credits available to individuals and businesses. Review the specific requirements for each tax credit, income limits, filing status, qualifying factors, and necessary documentation for credit claims.
Seems to be mostly harmless. It is an unnoticed mistake when failing to Report Additional Income. Sometimes, it's a deliberate choice when you don't realize you are supposed to report all your sources of income, not just W-2.
Whether it be a side hustle, investment income, or even your bank interest, you need to report all because the IRS already knows it.
Some common income types go unreported:
Freelance works (Form 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC)
Savings Account Interest (Form 1099-INT)
Dividends or investment earnings (Form 1099-DIV)
Crypto or stock sales (1099-B or 1099-K)
Unemployment compensation, jury duty pays, or prizes.
Impact: Reporting a lower income, it looks like you are due a high refund, or you owe less. When the IRS matches the return with the issued forms, like we mentioned above, the real image will be cleared. You will likely receive a correction notice with a penalty for underreporting. Lucky you if you only receive a correction notice.
How to Avoid:
Keep a record of all your income sources and organize the relevant Forms 1099 received. If you can plan, use reliable tax software to automate the process and double-check before submitting.
Still, there are so many more things that you may go oversight. Well, here is a checklist of some common mistakes when filing taxes and end up breaking your head.
Bonus Tips as a Checklist
✅ Incorrect Name
✅ Account and Routing Numbers
✅ Incorrect or Missing Social Security Number
✅ Missing Required Signature (Unsigned Tax Form)
✅ Fixing Past Mistakes
What if you have already made a Tax filing mistake
Events for the most careful drafting – Mistakes happen. Important is the soon you realize the IRS gives you the chance to correct the error.
The solution is – Form 1040-X File an Amended Return.
Act immediately, and you won't be out of time. IRS allows you to file a 1040-X amended return within three years of the original filing date or two years from the date you paid the tax owed – whichever is later.
Ensure you don't miss the refund window after an amended return.
Conclusion
Tax season should not be stressful. Especially when you have the filing clarity, approach with care and have our checklist. Just follow these and you can avoid IRS notice and heavy penalties. Not only this but you also maximize your refund.
If there is a mistake, you still have the option to amend it. Stay updated with laws and file with confidence. Even if you have tax software or consulted with tax professionals, hold the command and cross-check everything by yourself.
FAQs
You still can file the return – but with added penalties and interest. The penalty is generally 5% of unpaid tax each month up to 25%.
Most errors in the wrong filing can be rectified by Form 1040-X. This contains updating W-2 Wage and Tax Statement, other earning and interest statements, Tax deductable expenses, charitable donations, etc.
The Form 1040-X includes updating in
1. Tax Liabilities and Nonrefundable Credits.
2. Income and deductions
Adjust gross income
Itemized deductions or standard deductions
Qualified business income deduction
Taxable incomes
Absolutely, the software is specially designed to identify common errors, suggest deductions and credits, and eliminate filing mistakes. They also automate the process to save time and repetitive effort. But keep note, they are only accurate to the information you enter.
Some of the tax benefits often get avoided due to lack of information include:
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Education Credits like AOTC and Lifetime Learning Credit
Jason Dinesen (LPA, EA) is an entrepreneur, tax expert, and CPE Presenter. Dinesen brings over 15 years of experience helping individuals and businesses with accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and business advisory in various industries. Dinesen is a regular CPE Presenter at MYCPE ONE. He has coached more than 200k+ accounting, taxes, and HR professionals on various topics of accounting, individual taxation, corporate taxation, and professional ethics. Jason has developed a strong following within the professional community for tax-related subjects. Dinesen is known for sharp tax interpretations, and he quickly brings his analysis of the latest tax updates and IRS guidance to the professional community.
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