Preparing to file your federal tax return? Review some common mistakes people make and how you can avoid them this tax season.
Making a mistake on your tax return can slow down its processing and even delay your refund. If the IRS spots any errors, they may reject your return, requiring you to correct the issue and resubmit it promptly. Many common tax return mistakes are simple human error, unrelated to the complex tax laws provided.
By paying a bit more attention and double checking your information, you can make tax season smoother and error free.
Let’s review some common mistakes and ways to resolve them.
Don’t miss out on tax deductions and credits…
There are various tax deductions and credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, that can help lower your tax liability and even increase your tax refund. However, if you overlook a specific tax break on your return, the IRS won’t notify you what may have been missed. Be diligent in reviewing all deductions and credits.
Hiring a tax preparer will further help in finding the best deductions and credits for you.
Providing incorrect Social Security information…
A recurring error is entering your Social Security Numbers (SSNs) incorrectly. If your SSNs on your tax return are wrong, the IRS will decline it. Many tax benefits available, like the Child Tax Credit, education credits, or Child and Dependent Care Credit, depend on accurate SSNs. Make sure when filing your return you double check all SSNs for typos or inconsistencies.
Names do not match up with Social Security cards…
Surprisingly, one of the main reasons the IRS will reject tax returns is due to a name mismatch. While misspellings can occur, the primary issue is when a dependent child’s name doesn’t match the name on their Social Security cards. The IRS database is synchronized with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Therefore, if the IRS system can’t find a specific name on your tax return in the SSA’s database, it will outright reject the return. Although this is an easy fix, your return will not be processed until the correction is made.
Not entering your income…
If you accidentally omit your exact income on your tax return, the IRS will notify you. They track income deposited into your bank and any investment accounts using your SSN and tax forms. If a mistake is found, you might owe penalties and interest on that unreported income. Therefore, it is wise to double check that all your income is reported properly before filing your return.
Choosing an incorrect filing status…
The IRS determines many tax deduction amounts, including the standard deduction, based on filing status. Therefore, it’s crucial to meet the strict criteria for each status. Your options include:
Single
Head of household
Married filing jointly
Married filing separately
Qualifying widow or widower
Choosing the wrong filing status will result in the IRS denying your return. Sometimes, you may qualify for more than one status. In such cases, select the one that offers a larger tax refund or a lower tax payment.
Work with your tax preparer to make sure you choose the correct status.
One of the most frequent mistakes on tax returns is incorrect calculations. Errors in your math or transferring numbers between forms can lead to an immediate correction notice from the IRS. These math mistakes might also reduce your tax refund or cause you to owe more than necessary.
Your tax preparer should be able to spot these errors for you, but make sure you are double checking your work for a better experience with your appointment.
Failing to meet the April tax return deadline…
The final tax return mistake is easy to avoid: ensure you file your tax return on time. If you need more time, submit Form 4868 by April 15 to get an automatic six month extension.
Keep in mind that you still need to pay any taxes owed by the Tax Day deadline (usually April 15) to avoid late filing penalties, interest, and fees. If you can’t afford to pay the full amount, the IRS offers payment plans.
Check with your preparer for more information.
Incorrect account numbers or routing information for direct deposits…
If you opt for a direct deposit of your refund into one or multiple banking accounts, make sure you double check the bank account numbers you enter. Even a single incorrect digit can lead to several extra weeks of waiting for your refund, someone else receiving your tax refund, or your refund being returned to the IRS.
The key to a quick and efficient tax year is to work with your tax preparer to help resolve any mistakes. Double check your information and verify all data to have a successful tax season.
This blog post serves as informational content and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
If you’ve been losing sleep over the possibility of a tax audit, put your mind at ease. Here are five reasons why you might want to stop worrying about it.
A Tax Audit is Not Always Trouble
An audit doesn’t automatically mean you’re in trouble. Sometimes, it’s just a random selection. Even if there’s a discrepancy in your return, like a math error or typo, the IRS may simply ask for additional documents or an amended return.
Most tax audits focus on returns filed within the last three years. Rarely do they go back more than six years, so you don’t need to worry about ancient tax seasons.
Reduce Your Risk
Certain items on your tax return can attract the IRS’s attention. Just be diligent and accurate in your data collection which can reduce your chances of an audit.
Stay Calm
If the IRS does audit you, don’t panic. It’s a specific process, and you can work through it with the right documentation. This is why it is important to work with a certified tax preparer or better yet, an Enrolled Agent. An Enrolled Agent (EA) is an individual who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
For taxpayers in the middle or lower income range and have relatively uncomplicated taxes, the likelihood of an IRS audit is quite minimal. For example: between the years of 2010 to 2019, the IRS audited approximately 0.25% of individual tax returns on record.
The IRS usually focuses their audits on high income earners. In 2019, a little more than 2% of Americans earning more than $5 million per year had their taxes audited. That’s down from 16% in 2010. “For taxpayers earning over $1 million, there has been substantial reduction in audit rates, but they are still audited more frequently than taxpayers earning below $200,000,” said Alex Muresianu, a policy analyst at the Tax Foundation.
Learn how to avoid the possibility of a tax audit…
Be thorough and accurate when reporting all of your expenses
Itemizing tax deductions with accuracy is essential
Provide appropriate details when required
File your taxes on time, as much as possible
Avoid amending returns. If you must, proceed with caution
Check your math. Now, check it again
Avoid using round numbers
Do not make too many deductions
Although there is no guarantee that the IRS won’t audit you, knowing some specific facts about tax audits during the filing process can help alleviate your concerns.
Now is the time to perform a mid-year review of your business activities. Staying on top of these five steps will benefit you throughout the year while saving time, money, and making tax time a breeze.
* Lower taxable income with these deductions
After assessing your cash flow, explore reinvesting within your business. Whether it’s buying new equipment or expanding your advertising efforts, these investments often come with tax advantages. As part of your business, you can typically deduct equipment and advertising costs on your tax returns.
Review this list of small business deductions you can take to help your business grow and lower taxable income:
* Managing personal and business finances separately
As your business income becomes consistent, consider opening a dedicated bank account or credit card for business use. This simplifies tracking income and expenses and provides a central reference point for tax filing.
Separating business and personal finances is a smart move. To get started:
Open Up Separate Accounts: Set up distinct bank accounts, with one for business transactions and the other for personal use. This will ensure a clear separation of these accounts.
Track Your Transactions: Record all your business related income and expenses separately. Use your favorite accounting software or a spreadsheet to stay organized.
Avoid Mixing Business and Personal Funds: Never use your business funds for personal expenses, and vice versa. Keep them separate for easier management.
Remember, this practice simplifies tax reporting during tax season and protects your financial well being!
* Organize receipts for expenses
As a business owner, working to maintain detailed records of your transactions is crucial to your tax time success. Here’s why keeping your business receipts organized matters:
Expense Management: Receipts will help you track your expenses effectively, ensuring you manage costs efficiently for all of your business needs.
Accounting and Budgeting: This data will provide a clear record of business expenses and all income, which can be used in financial statements and other accounting records.
Accurate Financial Records: Receipts serve as documented proof of financial transactions, essential for bookkeeping, accounting, and tax purposes.
Legal and Tax Compliance: Having receipts ensures compliance with tax laws and protects both buyers and sellers by injecting transparency into transactions.
So, snap those receipts and keep them organized during this mid year tax review — it’s more than just storage; it’s about financial health! If you haven’t done so yet, there’s still time to catch up!
What are the benefits of quarterly estimated tax payments and how should you prepare for them…
Avoid a Big Tax Bill: By paying quarterly, you are able to spread your tax liability throughout the year. This will prevent a hefty tax bill when it comes time to file your annual return. It’s like making payments in installments rather than all at once.
Penalty Prevention: You should stay current with your taxes. If you underpay or miss payments, the IRS may impose penalties. Quarterly payments will help you stay on track and avoid any surprises.
Estimation Process:
Gather Information: Estimate your taxable income, including any self-employment income, interest, dividends, and other earnings.
Deductions and Credits: Consider deductions (like business expenses) and tax credits (such as child tax credit or education credits).
Last Year’s Return: Use your previous year’s tax return as a guide.
Calculate Tax: Determine your income tax and self-employment tax (if applicable).
Remember, quarterly estimated tax payments keeps you in good standing with the IRS and ensures a smoother tax season.
As a business owner, maintaining meticulous records of your income and expenses is crucial. Here’s why:
Clear View of Cash Flow: Detailed records provide insight into your business’s financial health. You can track cash flow, identify patterns, and make informed decisions.
Maximizing Deductions: Good records help you identify eligible deductions. By keeping track of expenses, you can maximize deductions and reduce your taxable income.
Estimating Quarterly Tax Payments: Accurate records allow you to estimate quarterly tax payments effectively. Staying current with taxes ensures smooth financial management.
Whether you use software or spreadsheets, organized records empower your business!
Take the time to tackle these steps to minimize any tax liabilities and stay on top of your finances.
This blog post serves as informational content and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Arnold & Company, LLC