The Internal Revenue Service is alerting taxpayers about common mistakes made by individuals while preparing their federal income tax returns.
Among those mistakes are a number of perennial problem-areas, including a taxpayer failing to:
- Include, or using an incorrect, Social Security number for themselves or a dependent;
Use the correct forms and schedules; - Sign and date the return;
- File for the Earned Income Credit, or improperly claiming the credit;
- Report and pay domestic payroll taxes;
- Report income because it was not included on a Form W-2, Form 1099, or other information return;
- File a return when due a refund;
- Check liability for the alternative minimum tax;
- Request the federal telephone excise tax;
- Accurately use or compute the Schedule D Tax Worksheet or Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet; and,
- Enter the correct amount of taxable Social Security benefits.
Other common mistakes are taxpayers choosing the wrong filing status, claiming ineligible dependents, treating employees as independent contractors and mailing a return to the wrong address.Additional taxpayer resources, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found at
