Common Tax-Filing Mistakes and How to Reduce the Chance of Making One

Filing your taxes may seem complicated, but it's easier if you do some research first. With some knowledge of common tax-filing mistakes, you can get your paperwork right the first time—and avoid errors that could lead to audits. Getting it right upfront could help you avoid needing tax debt relief down the road.

IRS data reveals that around 63% of taxpayers get refunds. Refunds can be worth a lot, and you could use any windfall to help pay off debts faster.  

So, how can you avoid tax-filing errors and get your return through without a hitch? Here's what to know.

Most Common Tax-Filing Mistakes That Could Cost You Money

Even careful filers sometimes make mistakes. Here are some of the most common errors that could cost you. 

Math errors

Math errors are so common the IRS has special processes for automatically correcting them and notifying taxpayers of the fix. Some of the most common math errors identified by the IRS include:

• Addition, subtraction, or division errors when calculating income, deductions, or other key numbers

• Copying numbers over incorrectly onto tax forms, such as writing the wrong numbers from your W-2 on your tax return

• Putting numbers into the wrong boxes on your IRS return

Double-checking numbers and doing the math twice helps. So could using an automated program that does the calculations for you.

Filing status confusion

The filing statuses you can choose from include:

• Single

• Head of household

• Married filing separately

• Married filing jointly 

You must meet requirements for your filing status—for example, a legally married person can't file their taxes as single. The filing status determines eligibility for certain credits and deductions. It also affects your tax rates. The IRS interactive assistant can help you figure out which filing status applies to you.

Missing income reporting 

Forgetting income on your tax return is a big red flag for the IRS. You may forget income because you forgot a 1099. Or you may not realize income from a side hustle or freelance gig must be reported.  

You might also not be aware of the rules. For example, if you have debt forgiven—say, because you pursue credit card debt relief—you could receive a 1099-C for the canceled amount. You might have to report that amount as income (it depends on the debt, the circumstances of the cancellation, and your financial situation at the time the debt was forgiven). 

If you have debts that are forgiven, get familiar with the tax rules for debt settlement. It’s a very good idea to ask a qualified tax professional for help.

Bank account number or routing mistakes

You might provide the IRS with your bank information if you are getting a refund. This includes your routing and account numbers. If you make a mistake with this info, it could delay your refund. It could also create administrative complications.

Personal Information Errors That Could Delay Your Refund

The majority of people who submit tax returns get a tax refund (a return of your own money that you’ve paid to the IRS over the previous year). If you are on track for a refund, even a minor error could cause a delay. These are common ones.

Social Security number errors

The IRS verification process for tax returns involves confirming that your Social Security number and name on your tax form match information in the Social Security database. If you write down the wrong Social Security number, the IRS will flag it. This could delay the processing of your return and refund.

Social Security number errors are a top reason for delays. 

Name mismatches 

Since the IRS checks whether your name and Social Security number match, make sure you use your exact legal name and avoid any typos. If you have recently changed your name—say, due to marriage or divorce—then your name may not match in the database even without error. This could lead to a processing delay.

Incorrect or outdated addresses

The IRS sends notices and other mail to your address of record. If you get a paper refund check, that’s sent to the address the IRS has. If you don't update your address after a move or if the info you provide is incomplete, this could lead to longer processing time and refund delays.

Incorrect birth dates

Check all birth dates—your own and dependents’. If you put down the wrong date, it could lead to problems with claiming tax deductions or credits. 

The good news is that all of these errors are easy to catch. Just confirm personal details. And make sure you use the legal names the IRS has on file (don’t use Johnny if your legal name is Jonathan) and double-check your Social Security number.

Deduction and Credit Mistakes to Avoid

Deductions and credits both help you save on taxes. They can often be confusing. To navigate them successfully, watch out for these common errors.

Standardized vs. itemized deduction confusion

You can claim a standard deduction or itemize. The standard deduction is the same for everyone. It's a flat amount you can deduct from your taxable income, to reduce the tax you owe. Itemized deductions, on the other hand, are separate deductions for specific things—examples of itemized deductions include mortgage interest deduction, or a deduction for medical expenses.

You can't claim both the standard deduction and itemized deductions. You have to figure out which saves you the most money. For most people, the standard deduction provides the greatest savings. It's also simpler. However, some people with a lot of deductible expenses, like high mortgage costs, medical bills, or charitable contributions, may be better off itemizing.

A tax professional or automated software could help you decide whether to itemize or claim the standard deduction.

Missed education credits

The American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are tax credits to cover tuition costs or educational expenses. Unfortunately, not everyone knows about them. If you are paying for schooling for yourself or a dependent, check whether you are eligible.

Credits are more valuable than deductions. Deductions reduce taxable income, such as bringing down a $50,000 income to $49,000. If you fall into the 12% tax bracket, you’ll save $120, which is 12% of the $1,000 difference. 

Credits reduce your taxes directly. If you owed $4,000 in taxes and have a $1,000 credit, you save $1,000, because you’ll only owe $3,000 once you subtract the credit. So education credits are valuable to those who qualify.

Child tax credit errors

The Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit provide valuable tax savings to parents. A portion of these credits is even refundable—that means it’s possible to get more back in taxes than you paid in. 

Qualifying requirements include income limits and having a child who’s a qualifying dependent. Include the correct legal name and Social Security number. Otherwise, the IRS could flag your return.

EITC calculation mistakes

The Earned Income Tax Credit is another valuable credit, this one for lower-income households. The IRS says common mistakes surrounding the EITC include:

• Claiming a non-qualifying child

• More than one person claims the same child

• Wrong Social Security numbers on tax forms

• Wrong filing status choice

• Over- or under-reporting income

If you make an error, your tax return could take longer to process. Your credit could be denied, or your EITC claim could be audited. 

Filing Deadline and Extension Errors

The tax-filing deadline is in mid-April of the year after you earn the income you're being taxed on—April 15, unless that is a weekend or holiday.

For example, the IRS requires that you file taxes on April 15, 2026, for income you earned in 2025. If you cannot file your tax returns by the deadline, you can request an extension until October. However, you are still required to pay your taxes by the April deadline. Your taxes are always due by the April deadline to avoid interest and penalties.

If you expect to be late getting your forms ready or if you can't pay by the April deadline, apply for an extension as soon as possible. If you apply for an extension by the deadline, you should avoid failure-to-file penalties. Those penalties are much higher than the penalties for failure to pay. 

It's also worth checking your state for the tax-filing deadline if you live in a state with a personal income tax. Some states have filing dates other than April 15. And some taxpayers, including those who are self-employed, may have more filing requirements throughout the year. This could include paying quarterly estimated taxes, because the U.S. system is pay-as-you-earn.

Reviewing the deadlines and putting them on your calendar could help you avoid being late submitting your forms. This also keeps tax costs as low as possible by avoiding expensive late fees.

How to Double-Check Your Tax Return Before Filing

Taking a few extra minutes to double-check your tax return before you submit could avoid processing delays and other issues. Review your returns even if you are using automated software, because you may have made errors in entering data.

Reviewing your tax documents takes only a few minutes, and the return on this time investment can be great if you catch something and head off audits or penalties. 

Manual review checklist

Not sure what to review when you double-check your tax return? Here's a quick checklist:

• Review all of the math calculations. Do this even if you used tax software. Make sure you didn't enter any data incorrectly or make mistakes in rounding numbers. 

• Confirm you've included all income from W-2s and 1099s. Keep these documents together as they come in. That way, you can access them quickly. 

• Double-check that you've chosen the right filing status. Make use of the IRS guide to confirm that you are eligible for the filing status you chose.

• Make sure you have listed all of your dependents. Confirm they are eligible to be claimed as dependents, and include the name and Social Security number that matches up with the Social Security Administration's information.

• Confirm that you've correctly entered your direct deposit information. This ensures your refund is not delayed or sent to the wrong account. Confirm your routing and account numbers.

• Double-check your address to make sure the IRS sends mail to the right place. This is especially important if you have requested your refund be sent via mail. 

Using tax software error checks

If you used a tax software program to complete your tax forms, chances are good that it includes built-in error checking. Pretty much all modern software does. This built-in system should check for inconsistencies and missing data. It will flag some problems and give you a chance to fix them, but can’t catch accidental entering of wrong numbers.

Many programs pull in data from W-2s or 1099s from banks or employers. This can reduce the risk of a manual entry mistake. It's still worth checking to confirm all of this information is included, though. 

When using your software's error-checking tools, review the information carefully. Read the full summary of errors to look for common problems like mistakes with your bank details. And confirm that the information on your federal and state returns matches—mismatched filing data could delay your refund.

What to Do If You Already Made a Filing Error

If you have made a filing error, the good news is that you can fix it, or the IRS may fix it for you. The IRS has automated processes to catch and correct simple mistakes. If you made a minor math error, for example, the IRS might correct the issue. 

If you do need to amend your return, you can use Form 1040-X. You should do this for larger errors or omissions, such as forgetting to include certain income or not claiming a deduction you are eligible for. Just be aware that if you submit an amended return, it could take up to 20 weeks to process. You should be able to track its progress using the "Where's my Amended Return" tool from the IRS. 

And remember: Don't panic. Honest mistakes are very common on tax returns, and usually do not result in penalties, especially if you make prompt corrections. Most things can be fixed with a simple form or even automatically, so just go through the process to make sure you get things right in the end.

Tax-Filing Tips for People Managing Debt

Tax time can be stressful for people already struggling with debt. There are many reasons why that's the case:

• Those participating in debt relief programs who took advantage of debt settlement options may find themselves owing taxes on forgiven debt. This could mean they don’t get a refund or even owe money. 

• If you owe taxes and can't pay, you may be stressed about IRS obligations adding to your unpaid debt balance. 

• If you have certain kinds of outstanding debt—such as unpaid back taxes, child support, or defaulted student loans—the Treasury's refund offset program may take refund money to repay debts.

The good news is that there are often solutions for these issues. For example, the IRS offers payment plans for people who can't pay their taxes in full. Options include installment programs that allow you to spread out payments over time. You may also find ways to deal with your defaulted debt, such as rehabilitating your student loans or signing up for an income driven plan.

Working with a debt relief company like Freedom Debt Relief could help you take control of your finances so you don't have to worry as much about what you owe during tax season. Learn how Freedom Debt Relief works to see if their potential solutions could help you.