Tax filing mistakes to avoid before you submit your return

Reviewed and updated October 16, 2026

Reconcile your documents

Wait for the documents that apply to your situation, including corrected forms. A prior-year return is a useful checklist, but this year may include a new job, freelance income, investments, retirement distributions or a home sale. Reconcile amounts to your own records and investigate missing or incorrect forms.

Do not report the same payment twice because it appears on both a platform statement and a bank deposit. Equally, do not omit income simply because it was paid in cash or no tax form arrived. Information-return thresholds are not general income-tax exemptions.

Review the choices that affect tax

Check filing status, dependent eligibility, education expenses, health-insurance marketplace reporting and retirement contributions. A child’s residence, support and custody facts matter; having paid some expenses does not automatically establish the right to every dependent benefit.

Business deductions need a business purpose and supporting records. Separate loan proceeds, owner transfers and customer payments in the books. Use the forms and limits for the tax year being filed, especially when preparing a late return or amendment.

Check the final return and follow through

Confirm names and identification numbers, payment allocations and refund banking instructions. Review the complete return before signing the e-file authorization. Keep an accepted filing acknowledgment; pressing submit is not proof the IRS accepted the return.

An extension generally extends filing time, not payment time. If you owe, arrange payment or discuss available options and continue to meet current obligations. Preserve your signed return and source documents securely. When a notice arrives, respond by its deadline using verified contact information and share the complete notice with your tax professional.

Official sources

• IRS: tax preparation
• IRS: extension of time

This guide provides general information. The rules depend on the tax year, jurisdiction and your circumstances. Ask our team which filing or planning steps apply to you.