Simple Tax Return Mistakes to Avoid

If you are filing your tax return last minute, there are several common errors of which you should be extra cognizant, while filling out your paperwork. These are some of the most common reasons for tax forms being returned and are also some of the most common tax audit flags.

• Triple check your math if you are doing your return by hand. Mathematical errors are extremely common, and can throw off your entire return, resulting in a line-item audit. The IRS doesn’t know whether you’ve made a simple error in addition, or you’ve lied about your income, so make sure you are triple checking your math as you go, so that your return is accurate.
• Make sure to check that you’ve signed and dated your tax return. It may seem silly, but this is one of the most common omissions on tax returns. People are often so relieved to be finished with their return that they completely forget to sign it, resulting in their return being mailed back to them, their refund being held temporarily, and a potential audit being issued.
• Make sure you don’t accidentally transpose the social security numbers of your family members if you are filling out a tax return that includes several children or a spouse. Mixing up even one number in a SSN will trigger an audit letter based on potential identity theft.
• Finally, if you are completing your return by hand, make sure your return is legible. If your return is too sloppy to be read by a computer, you are likely to be issued an audit to double check the details and numbers you’ve put down.

If you are still concerned about last minute mistakes on your return, you should contact a tax preparer or a tax attorney for assistance in completing and filing your 2013 tax return.