Tax season is an annual headache for many of us. While filing taxes can be a chore, it’s important to get it right the first time. Making mistakes while filing your taxes can cause a delay in getting your refund, or worse, they may prompt an IRS audit. Here are some common tax filing mistakes that you should avoid when filing your taxes this year.
Missing Forms
Missing forms from employers and financial institutions can throw a wrench in your tax filing plans. When completing your taxes, make sure all the forms required by the IRS are present.
If any forms are missing or incorrect, contact the issuer as soon as possible to receive an accurate and updated form before submitting your return.
Identity Thieves
When filing taxes, it’s important to watch out for identity thieves who may try to use your information for their gain. To protect yourself from identity theft, take extra precautions such as avoiding public Wi-Fi hotspots and using strong passwords when accessing online accounts related to tax filing.
Some identity thieves may even try to file taxes in your name and pocket the refund. Be sure to double-check that you have received all refunds due to you before signing off on your returns!
Math Errors
Taxes require some complex calculations so it’s easy to make a mistake if you don’t pay attention. Double-check every calculation and ensure that all numbers entered into each form are correct; this includes double-checking Social Security numbers and other sensitive information like bank account numbers which could lead to serious issues if they’re wrong. It’s best practice to save all of your documents from past years so that you can reference them anytime there is something unclear or too complicated for you to do yourself.
Filing taxes can be stressful, but with a little planning and foresight, it doesn't have to be painful! By being aware of the common pitfalls associated with filing taxes – such as missing forms, identity thieves, and math errors – you can help ensure that everything goes smoothly when submitting your return this year. Remember – accuracy is key! Take extra care when filling out all forms related to tax filings and double-check all information before submitting anything officially; this will help ensure that you get back any refunds due without any major delays or problems down the line!
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