When it comes to filing taxes, every little detail counts, and while the chances of receiving a wrong assessment are slim, it can happen. According to IRS, some of the most common errors made when filing taxes resulting in tax assessment include the following:
Filing an incorrect tax return
If the tax form is filed incorrectly, the IRS may indicate the wrong amount of tax owed. Examples of errors made on tax filings include:
• Failing to report all income sources
• Reporting the wrong type of income
• Entering incorrect dates
• Entering incorrect Social Security Numbers
• Accidental typos (e.g., entering $5,000 instead of $500)
• Incorrect filing status and marital status
Before filing your taxes, it is crucial to ensure that all the above details are correct and accurate.
Filing taxes late
Filing your taxes on time means avoiding applicable interest payments and penalties, but beyond the financial benefit, filing late can lead to a tax assessment by the IRS. You may receive a notice that more information is needed before processing your taxes, and in some cases, you may even receive an incorrect tax assessment. Filing on time ensures that you only pay what you rightfully owe.
Attaching the wrong tax form
All required forms must be attached when submitting a tax return. When the wrong form is attached, it causes a delay in processing your tax refund or could result in an incorrect IRS tax assessment. Common mistakes include attaching a 1099-MISC form instead of 1040, for example.
Double-checking all your forms and attachments before filing a tax return can help avoid this mistake. If you’ve already filed your taxes, it may be possible to make an amendment with the correct form by contacting the IRS directly.
Incomplete data
Incomplete tax data occurs when omitting vital information on W-2, failing to report all sources of income, or misrepresenting marital status or the correct tax bracket. The IRS also warns taxpayers that an incorrect assessment can occur if mistakes or omissions are made on self-employment income. If the IRS finds blank spaces in a form, they may make assumptions, leading to inaccurate assessments.
Avoid these mistakes by reviewing all of the details on your forms before filing a return. If your details are correct, errors can still happen on an IRS assessment. In these cases, taxpayers can submit an appeal to rectify the mistake.