Common Errors When Filing Income Taxes
These days, with the help of tax preparation software, it is easier to file annual tax returns. However, with just a single slip in putting in your information on your computer could end up costing you, either in the form of a larger tax bill or a smaller refund. Additionally, even when a mistake, either on your PC or paper forms, doesn’t cost you any money, it could delay the receipt of any refund you’re expecting.
One thing you have to remember is that tax changes can also complicate the annual tax-filing exercise. For example, in the reporting and filing of requirements prompted by the Affordable Care Act have produced a numerous problems for taxpayers, tax professionals, as well as, the IRS. Whether are there are special taxes applied in the current year, there are still plenty of ways to mess up a 1040 form.
Incorrect Math Calculations
Every year during tax season, the top most common mistake that happens on tax returns are bad math. Even a single error in your arithmetic or in moving figures from one schedule to another will get you an instant correction warning. Be warned, even the most simple math mistakes also can lessen your tax refund or result in you owing more taxes than you thought. Your most important job is to get all the numbers correct since the IRS will be doing a double-check all of the numerical entries against its copies of your tax statements (W-2, 1099s and the like).
Another typical math error that can happen are computation errors, during this event taxpayers or their accountants make errors in figuring such tax-return entries as taxable income, withholding and estimated tax payments. Also, credits and special deductions also pose problems.
Incorrect Names
One thing you need to remember, the IRS is not just all about numbers, but words too, especially correct names. If case the names of a taxpayer, his or her spouse, or even their kids don’t match with the tax identification number that the Social Security Administration will provide it may start different problems with the processing. Typically, this issue is a normal one especially for women who are newly married. This is why women should announce to the Social Security Administration as soon as she can when she got married and will be changing surnames.
Additional Income Means Additional Filing Work
If ever you have additional jobs, for example, as a contractor you will most likely receive a Form 1099-MISC detailing the extra earnings. You must never miss out on stating these vital details or the IRS will count this against your owed taxes. There are numerous other tax problems that you will meet, it is vital that you know how to amend them to avoid problems.
Source: Tax Return
