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When it comes to taxes, those "D'oh's!" can cost some dough. Sometimes an
error means we pay more in taxes. Other times it
delays refunds. To help make sure your return is perfect, here
are some common tax filing errors to avoid.
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Most importantly, check your math.
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Double-check that your social security number has been correctly written on the
return.
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Include your social security number on each page of the return so that, if a
page is misplaced by the IRS, it can be reattached.
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Check that you have claimed all of your dependents, such as elderly parents who
may not live with you.
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Include on the return the social security numbers for all dependents.
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If you are single and have a dependent who lives with you, check to see if you
qualify for the lower tax rates available to a head of household or surviving
spouse with a dependent child.
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If you do NOT file as married filing separately, check to see if you qualify
for the earned income credit.
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If you are married, check to see if filing separate returns rather than a joint
return is more beneficial.
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If you submit your tax return the old fashion way, attach all Copy Bs of your
W-2 forms to your return in order to avoid correspondence with the IRS.
If you received a Form 1099-R showing Federal income tax withheld, attach
copy B of that form as well.
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You may be able to claim the additional standard deductions if you are blind or
65 years of age or older.
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If you submit an amount due the old fashion way, be sure to sign your check and
write your social security number, the form number, and the tax year on the
face of any checks made out to the IRS.
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Be sure that your Form W-2 and all 1099s are correct. If they are wrong,
have them corrected as soon as possible so that the IRS's records agree with
the amounts you show on your return.
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If you worked for more than one employer, be sure to claim a credit for any
overpaid social security taxes withheld from your wags.
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If you received a state tax refund, make sure you have not included too much of
your refund in your income. State tax refunds may not be taxable if you
did not get a tax benefit from deducting them. If, for example, you used
the standard deduction in the year in which the taxes were paid, you do not
have to include the refund in income this year.
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Deductible real property taxes should be distinguished from assessments paid
for local benefits, such as repair of streets, sidewalks, sewers, curbs,
gutters, and other improvements that tend to improve properties.
Assessments of this type generally are not deductible.
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Make sure to sign and date your return and enter your occupation. If you
are filing a joint return, be sure that your spouse also signs as required.
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Only a portion of your social security benefits may be taxable. If your
income does not exceed a certain amount, none of it may be taxable.
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Check last year's tax return to see if there are any items that carry over to
this year, such as charitable contributions or capital losses that exceeded the
amount you were previously able to deduct.
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If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, do not claim a
personal exemption on your return. Your standard deduction may be limited
as well.
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Fill out Form 8606, Nondeductible IRA Contributions, for your contributions to
an IRA account, even if you don't claim any deduction for the
contribution.
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Recheck your basis in the shares you sold this year, particularly shares of a
mutual fund. Income and capital gains dividends that were automatically
reinvested in the fund over the years increase your basis in the mutual fund
and thus reduce a gain or increase a loss that you have to report. Also,
any "front end" or purchase fees are still considered part of your cost basis
for tax purposes, even though they reduce your investment in a mutual
fund.
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Recheck that you have used the correct column in the Tax Rate Table or the
right Tax Rate Schedule for your filing status.
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Don't miss deadlines: December 31--set up a Keogh plan; April 15--make your IRA
contribution; April 15--file your return or request an extension.
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If you regularly get large refunds, you're having too much withheld and, in
effect, giving an interest-free loan to the IRS. Changing the number of
allowances you claim on a W-4 form will increase your take-home pay.
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Keep copies of all documents you send to the IRS. Using certified
mail or qualified private delivery service for all important correspondence to
the IRS. Don't forget to keep your records in good shape so that you can
find answers to any IRS questions about your return.
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