Tax filing season brings a lot of room for avoidable slip-ups that can turn routine returns into delays, penalties, or lost refunds. This piece walks through the common errors people make, the simple checks to prevent them, and the exact steps to take if something goes wrong.
Picking the right filing status matters more than most taxpayers realize because it affects tax rates, standard deductions and eligibility for credits. Choosing the wrong status can shrink your refund or create extra scrutiny if the IRS flags the return. Life changes during the year often make that choice less obvious, so it pays to check the rules before you click submit.
Big events like marriage, divorce, a new child, moving in with a partner or changing custody can all change your filing category. IRS rules are not always intuitive, especially around distinctions like head of household or qualifying surviving spouse. If you’re unsure, use the IRS guidance or reputable tax software to walk through the questions that determine the correct status.
Head of household is a particularly common trap because it usually brings a larger standard deduction and better tax brackets, but it has strict requirements tied to paying more than half the cost of keeping up a home and having a qualifying dependent. Claiming it without meeting those rules can mean paying back benefits plus penalties and interest later. When in doubt, document expenses and dependency status before claiming the break.
One of the costliest mistakes is overlooking credits and deductions you actually qualify for, which can leave money on the table or increase what you owe. “I think the top mistake people make is not fully understanding or taking the time to really research what are all the different deductions and the ways that you can put a little bit of extra money in your pocket that are available to you,” said Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs at AARP. Take a fresh look at potential deductions this year instead of assuming last year’s return covers everything.
Recent shifts in the tax code mean previous returns are not always a reliable blueprint for the current year, so revisit your position with fresh eyes. “This would be a good year given that there are these changes to the tax code, to make sure not to assume that what you did last year will convey over to this year. Really take a fresh look at your tax situation and see if there’s money that you’re leaving on the table,” he said. A little extra attention now can pay off quickly when the refund or bill arrives.
An extension gives time to file paperwork but it does not delay the deadline for paying what you owe, so don’t treat it like a free pass. “Remember that even if you claim an extension, the money is owed on April 15,” said Mike Faulkender, co-chair of American Prosperity at the America First Policy Institute. “You have to actually send in a check or have the payment deducted from your account by the filing deadline,” he said. If you can’t pay in full, send whatever you can to limit penalties and interest.
Simple clerical errors with bank routing or account numbers can cause direct deposit delays or rejected payments that lead to fees or added interest. Double-check account digits whether you’re receiving a refund or authorizing a debit to pay taxes owed. Timing matters too: don’t file before you have all the necessary documents, because missing W-2s or 1099s may force an amended return later.
There’s an easy way to confirm what’s been filed under your Social Security number before you submit your return. “One of the things that I learned last year when I was IRS commissioner, was that if you create an account on irs.gov, you can see everything that’s been filed under your tax ID,” he said. “We’re supposed to receive all of our W-2s and our 1099 forms in the mail in January and February. But if you’re missing one, or you misplaced it rather than requesting it again, you can actually go and see what was filed under your taxpayer identification number if you create an account on IRS.gov.” Use that check to avoid surprises and to confirm whether a missing form was issued but not received.
Filing late when you owe can be expensive, so the best practice is to wait until you have what you need and then file promptly. If you need more time to prepare, estimate your liability and pay by the deadline to reduce additional costs. The effort to verify filing status, claim eligible breaks and confirm reported income can keep tax season from turning into a costly headache.
Graduate Student, wife, engaged political and legal writer.