10 Common Tax Filing Mistakes
As this year’s tax deadline approaches, we though it would be a good idea to share 10 common filing mistakes. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) reminds taxpayers of 10 of the most common mistakes made each year by individual taxpayers on their federal tax returns. These avoidable errors can affect your tax bill, delay the processing of your return and draw the attention of the Internal Revenue Service.
Mistake #6: Failing to Document Charitable Donations
For charitable donations of $250 or more, written acknowledgment from the charity is required. A canceled check is not sufficient. If your gift was one of property rather than cash, the acknowledgment must describe the property. When your noncash contribution exceeds $500, you also are required to file IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, giving details of the donation.
Mistake #7: Omitting Social Security Numbers of Dependents
You MUST include on your return the Social Security number for all dependents. Also, to claim a child or dependent care credit, you must complete Form 2441 and indicate the care giver’s name, address and taxpayer identification or Social Security number.
Mistake #8: Making Math Miscalculations When Filing
Review your return to make sure that your math is correct. If you find a mistake, remember to recalculate other figures that are affected by the error.
Mistake #9: Failing to Calculate the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
With every passing year more and more taxpayers discover, often to their great surprise, that they are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT). But many of the 16 million taxpayers who are predicted to become subject to the AMT for the first time over the next two years will not fill out the AMT form 6251 because they think it is only applicable to the very wealthiest individuals and couldn’t possibly apply to them. The result can be a nasty note from the IRS informing them they owe more money and, of course, interest on the underpayment.
Mistake #10: Assuming Itemizing Deductions Will Reduce Tax Bite the Most
Many taxpayers assume that itemizing deductions is going to result in the lowest federal obligation. However, that may not be true. For example, if you’ve paid down most of the interest on your home mortgage, which is the largest deduction most filers have, you may be better off taking the standard deduction. The standard deduction increases each year because it’s indexed for inflation. For 2006 returns, the standard deduction for married taxpayers filing jointly is $10,300, and for single it is $5,150.
We hope you found this article about “10 Common Tax Filing Mistakes” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Considerately yours,
GROCO, GROCO Tax, GROCO Technology, GROCO Advisory Services, GROCO Consulting Services, GROCO Relationship Services, GROCO Consulting/Advisory Services, GROCO Family Office Wealth, and GROCO Family Office Services.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
Proud sponsor of the AD Show.
Financing A More Exclusive Lifestyle
It’s surprising that the emerging market is now the biggest consumer of luxury goods, as reported by Deloitte, where a more mature audience once held the title. This will require luxury brands to reinvent their marketing approach in order to accommodate their new clientele. With an increase in income and more access to loan products, the new luxury consumer is fully equipped to have all they desire. But what is it that this elite group of consumers really want?Fast Cars Are No Longer EnoughWhile
How Do Biotech and Pharma Companies Feel About New Tax Law?
How Do Biotech and Pharma Companies Feel About New Tax Law? The back and forth regarding the new tax reform bill has been endless since even before it became law. Obviously, there are pros and cons and both sides hold tight to their arguments. Additionally, some taxpayers and industries oppose the reform, while others are…
Five Easy Steps To Help You Retire Wealthy
What hard-working individual doesn’t dream about retiring rich and living the good life throughout his or her golden years? After all, what’s the point of working your life away if you never get to enjoy the fruits of all your labors? The problem is, for many, retiring wealthy and living the good life is just that: a dream. In fact, for many, retirement is a daily battle just to have enough to get by after paying for all their necessary food and medical care. That’s not how retirement should be,
Five Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make at Work
Have you ever made a bad mistake at work that you just couldn’t live down? No one is perfect and everybody makes mistakes. In most cases, people can overcome mistakes they make at work, but there are a few missteps that could really end up costing you. So, even though you’re not perfect make sure you do everything in your power to avoid these five critical mistakes at work.Promising too much – we all want to accomplish as much as we can and impress our bosses and coworkers. However, it’s a bad