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Taxation

Avoid These Common Tax Return Mistakes

By March 28, 2016No Comments

Tax filing day is Monday, April 18. Use the extra weekend to check your returns and prevent these common mistakes:

  1. Failing to sign and date your returns. You’d be surprised how often this happens. Remember–both spouses must sign when filing jointly.
  2. Checking the wrong filing status. Choose the right box: Single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, qualifying widower and head of household. Many wrongly claim head of household.
  3. Failing to report income. W-2 and 1099 income is not the only income you may have. Rental, self–employment and other forms of income must also be reported.
  4. Failing to pay and report payroll taxes. If you hire and pay a threshold sum to a house cleaner, nanny or home care giver, you may have to pay and report payroll taxes.
  5. Ignoring the Affordable Care Act. Tax returns now contain a box to confirm that you have minimum essential health coverage. If not, you must obtain an exemption (Form 8965) or pay a penalty.

Contact your FOS attorney for help with these or other tax issues.