You filed your tax return back in February. But you’re still sitting around waiting for your refund to arrive. What’s the hold up?
The IRS usually turns your refund around fairly quickly—particularly when you file early. There are some common mistakes, however, that can result in delays. In today’s article, we examine of few of the most frequent tax return blunders that can postpone your much-anticipated refund check.
Clerical errors
A simple number or letter inversion can set the IRS back in processing your return. Perhaps you mis-entered your Social Security Number. Or maybe you signed up to receive your refund through direct deposit—which usually expedites the refund process. But if you mis-entered your bank account details, your refund will bounce back to the IRS.
Incorrect status selection
Some people are eligible for more than one filing status. For instance, if you’re divorced and support a dependent child, you may be eligible for Head of Household status—in addition to Single status. Some tax payers mistakenly claim both statuses on their return—when in fact you should only claim whichever status gives you the greatest tax benefits. In addition, other tax payers overlook the “filing status” section of their tax return altogether and neglect to check any box. Both of these scenarios will result in delays.
Mistakes on hard copy returns
Tax payers who submit their returns by mail often accidentally skip or mishandle other steps in the filing process which are avoidable by e-filing. For instance, tax payers often forget to sign their tax return (most e-filing services have a safeguard to prevent this from happening). Mailing in tax returns with insufficient postage is also a common error.
Filing your tax return can be a huge headache. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Hiring an experienced tax attorney to prepare your return for you can save you a lot of time and aggravation.