Technological advantages have helped to reduce the number of mistakes that can be made when filing a tax return. However, taxpayers continue to make some mistakes and are forced to file an amended tax return. They either are notified by the IRS of the error or they identify the mistake after receiving a 1099 form that they forgot to incorporate on their original return. What can you do to avoid these mistakes?

Gather all of your paperwork to support your return
It’s very common for an employee or investor to forget to include income from a 1099 or k-1 form since it was sent after they filed their return. Make sure you at least wait or obtain the income amount from the payer by contacting them directly. It’s best to review your prior year tax return to make sure there isn’t any form you’re forgetting to incorporate on your tax return. In addition, you should always save a copy of your files.

Make sure the amounts of the supporting schedules match your main tax form
If you’re tax return has multiple schedules, make sure the amounts agree to the main tax form. For instance, if you have a capital gain that you reported on Schedule D, that amount should agree to line 13 of the income section of your form 1040. This also applies to your state tax return.

Your name and social security number should be correct
Most taxpayers spell their names correctly. However, many don’t include the proper format of their middle name and even transpose their social security numbers by mistake. You should carefully review your tax return several times and ensure that the name and number match your social security card. A mistake can hold up your tax return and possibly your tax refund. Also, if you plan to have your tax refund processed through direct deposit, double check to make sure the account number is the correct one.

Provide the correct filing status
Nearly 70,000 taxpayers filed returns as recently as 2009 with incorrect filing statuses. It’s most common to incorrectly file as head of household when you don’t qualify or are currently married and your spouse files jointly. Remember, you need to be unmarried or “considered” unmarried as of the last day of the year and meet other requirements to file as head of household.

Make sure you sign the actual return
Many taxpayers make the wise choice of hiring a CPA or Enrolled Agent to file their tax return and then forget to actually sign it when their accountant has sent them the final forms to sign and transmit to the IRS. E-filing certainly helps reduce this problem, but not all returns can be processed electronically.

Pay on time even if you’re filing an extension
Many taxpayers that file an extension via form 4868 mistakenly think they aren’t obligated to pay taxes for another six months. If you file an extension, that just means you have more time to get your paperwork in order. Your estimated payment is still due on April 15th. If you fail to make payment, you will be subject to penalties and interest charges.

More tax questions? Browse answers or ask 2013 tax questions online. You can also find accountants online here.

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