Before filing your return, review it to make sure it is correct and complete.
The following checklist may help you avoid errors:
Did you use the peel-off label and enter any corrections? If you
used the label, did you enter your social security number in the space provided?
If you do not have a label, or there are too many corrections, did you
clearly print your name, social security number, and address, including zip
code directly on your return?
Did you enter the names and social security numbers for yourself, your
spouse, your dependents, and qualifying children for earned income credit
or tax child credit, exactly as they appear on the social
security cards? If there have been any name changes be
sure to contact the Social Security Administration
at 1-800-772-1213.
Did you check only one filing status?
Did you check the appropriate exemption boxes and
enter the names and social security numbers exactly as
they appear on the Social Security Card, for all of the dependents claimed?
Is the total number of exemptions entered?
Did you enter income, deductions, and credits on the correct lines and
are the totals correct?
If you show a negative amount on your return, did you put brackets around
it?
If you are taking the standard deduction and checked any box indicating
either you or your spouse were age 65 or older or blind, did you find the
correct standard deduction to enter on line 21 of Form 1040A (PDF) or line 36 of Form 1040 (PDF)?
Did you figure the tax correctly? If you used the tax
tables, did you use the correct column for your filing status?
Did you sign and date the return? If it is a joint return, did your spouse
also sign and date the return?
Do you have a Form W-2 (PDF) from all of your employers and did you attach Copy B of each to your return? File only
one return, even if you have more than one job. Combine the wages and withholding
from all Form W-2's, on one return.
Did you attach any Form 1099, that shows tax withheld?
Did you attach all other necessary schedules and forms in sequence number
order given in the upper right-hand corner?
If you owe tax, did you enclose a check or money order with the return
and write your social security number, tax form, and tax year on the payment?
refer to Tax Topic 158 for more information, and
Did you make a copy of the signed return and all schedules for your records?
Incorrect or missing social security numbers.
Incorrect tax entered from the tables.
Computation errors in figuring the child and dependent care credit or
the earned income credit. Also, missing or incorrect identification numbers
for child care providers.
Withholding and estimated tax payments entered on the wrong line, and
Math Errors. Both addition and subtraction.
It is important that you review your entire return because any errors
may delay the processing of your return.
