It is unfortunate to see that a vast majority of taxpayers has to go through unnecessary hassles every year just because of some very easily preventable mistakes that they make while filing income tax returns. The nature of mistakes these days though have changed because a large number of people now use the electronic filing system or computer-generated returns.

For example, mathematical errors are now less common. But, even if you are filing your tax returns electronically or are using some software programs, you need to be vigilant enough because even a computer cannot see many errors. Always remember, even if the mistakes are unintentional, it can cause you to pay heavily for it.

For example, it can cause delay in getting your tax refund. Worse, if the luck is not on your side, it can also result in tax audit, which will eventually cause unnecessary mental stress and hefty penalty charges. Following is a brief rundown on how to make sure that the returns you are filing are error-free.

Double Check The SSN You Have Entered

Transposing numbers is one of those mistakes that can easily be made and overlooked. Therefore, when you file income tax returns, you must always take a moment or two to double check the social security number and to make sure that you have entered it correctly.

Always Check The Math

Though mathematical errors are now less frequent because of the surge in e-filing, they still persist as one of the most common tax filing mistakes. If you are using a tax preparation software program, the calculations will always be correct, but mistakes can still occur, such as when you input incorrect numbers at the first place.

In e-filing, many taxpayers calculate the numbers on paper and then enter only the total in computer, which can again be a source for errors. Therefore, you must be very careful while you are doing your calculations. You should always check your math properly before you file income tax returns.

Make Sure You Claim All The Deductions That You Qualify For

If you have a professional accountant or a computer software program to help you with tax preparation, you will probably not miss any valuable deduction. But, you are still recommended to be well aware of the laws regarding tax deductions and which ones you qualify for. There are many tax deductions that are often overlooked even when you are filing your returns with the help of an accountant or a software program.

Make Sure You Report All Your Income

Failure to report all your income often creates the quickest path to audit-land. Even if it is not intentional and happens by mistake, IRS is not going to entertain your excuses; you will have to go through the stressful process of audit and will have to pay hefty penalty charges as well. Therefore, when you file income tax returns, you should always look at the last year’s return and do a thorough review if you are forgetting to report certain income sources.

Do Not Forget To Include Taxpayer Identification Numbers

Forgetting to include tax identification numbers and social security numbers altogether is just as common a mistake as is inputting wrong numbers. Many times, taxpayers fail to mention the SSN for their dependants, which can result in losses in terms of credits and deductions.

Choose Correct Filing Status

There are so many options in the list that it is easy to make mistakes and choose the wrong status. In order to make sure that you have selected the correct tax filing status, you must have a thorough understanding of the options regarding the same. For example, if you get married even on the last day of the year or if you do not marry after your spouse dies during the current tax year.

You will have to choose the status as ‘married filing separately’. Likewise, you can choose the tax filing status as ‘single’ only if you meet certain criteria, such as when you are legally divorced or separated or when you have never been legally married under the laws of the United States of America.

Names And SSN Must Match

When you file income tax returns, it is very important for you to keep in mind that IRS matches SSN’s and names together. If the names you have entered in your returns do not match with the SSN records, IRS will consider it as an error. Therefore, if your or your dependents’ names have changed because of any reason, such as because of divorce or marriage, you must immediately contact the Social Security Administration to make the changes in their records as well.

Do Not Forget To Sign Your Check And The Tax Forms

If you have attached a check with the tax returns, make sure you have signed the check properly. Likewise, you are also required to put your signature on the tax forms. Forgetting to sign and date the return will again cause unnecessary troubles; your file may even not be processed. In most cases, IRS simply returns such forms.

Enter Correct Bank Account Numbers

When you file income tax returns, you also get an option to get your refund faster by providing your bank account number for direct deposit. But, if you have provided wrong bank account number, your refund may end up in the wrong place. In order to make sure that there is no unnecessary delay in getting your refund and that it gets deposited in your bank account properly, you must always double check the routing and account numbers you are inputting.

Send The Forms At The Correct Address

Last, but not the least, it is also very important for you to keep in mind that several changes have been made in the address of IRS service centers of late. Therefore, you are advised not to use a pre-addressed envelope, which you had bought the last year during tax preparation. You should at least double check the address to make sure it is correct. As you can see, even very small mistakes can prove to be very costly for you when it comes to tax filing income tax returns. But, with a little care, you can easily avoid those mistakes.