Here’s 8 Mistakes To Look Out For When Filing Your Taxes

While most mistakes made on tax returns can be revised later, they can result in a rejection or delay in processing.

The IRS is accepting tax filings until the April 15 deadline and most refunds are issued less than three weeks after a return is filed. However, recent IRS employee layoffs could extend tax return processing. In addition, tax experts said the IRS has long been unemployed, and moves from President Donald Trump could further reduce the tax agency’s workforce.

You can quicken the tax return process by avoiding common errors while filing.

“Get your ducks in a row. Try to electronically file and avoid the need for person-to-person contact with IRS personnel,” said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals. “Try to avoid the necessity to have to call the IRS because it’s going to be frustration for you as a taxpayer and frustration for the overworked workers.”

Taxpayers Should Avoid These Common Mistakes

According to the IRS, these are the most frequent errors taxpayers make in their filings:

1. Missing or inaccurate Social Security numbers
2. Listing names that do not match your Social Security card
3. Choosing the incorrect filing status
4. Math mistakes
5. Mistakes in figuring credits or deductions like Earned Income Credit or Child and Dependent Care Credit
6. Incorrect bank account number for direct deposits
7. Unsigned forms
8. Filing with an expired individual tax identification number (ITIN): If you only have an expired ITIN, you should still file with the expired number, and the return will be treated as on time. However, exemptions or credits on your tax return will not be processed until you renew your ITIN.