Before You File Your Taxes!

Most problems with tax returns are very simple mistakes. Don't file your tax return as soon as you think you are done. Give yourself a night's sleep then look-over your return.

Online tax preparation companies allow you to save your tax return or print it off so you can have a good look at it before you file. This may actually be a hidden benefit of online tax preparation, as a hard copy often looks or seems different from the same figures and other content onscreen.

Here are some things to check over or think about before you file:

Do you have the correct social security number? At this point you have been thinking about numbers, looking at numbers, checking the accuracy of numbers and you probably feel kind of spaced out. Don't forget the accuracy of this most important number! This is the most common error on tax returns.

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Do you have the correct IRS pin number? This has also been a big problem with the IRS and it will likely be a big problem this year as more people file online. You need to have two pieces of information - your date of birth (just as it is on your Social Security records) and your Prior Year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from last year's Form 1040 (Line 35); or Form 1040A (Line 21); or Form 1040EZ (Line 4).

Does the secondary taxpayer's name and/or Social Security Number (SSN) match the IRS master record? If it does not the form will be rejected.

Does the date of birth of Primary Taxpayer match the IRS master record?

Does the date of birth of Secondary Taxpayer/Spouse match the IRS master record? This has to be entered twice in the software: once at the beginning in the "Personal Information" section and again in the electronic filing section.

Are you sure the dependent child's name, date of birth and/or social security number matches the IRS records?

Are you absolutely sure you have the correct banking information? We know, we know: more numbers that you have to look at closely. But, you need to especially check the bank routing number. This should come from a check and not from your deposit slip.

Are you sure that you have receipts or proofs of purchase for all claims?

Be sure that you are choosing the correct filing status that is best for your tax return.

Of course, there are many other things that can go wrong with a tax return, but these are the most common. Good luck!