Tax season doesn’t have to feel like walking through a minefield. While the IRS processes more than 140 million individual tax returns each year, many of those returns contain simple mistakes that could have been easily avoided. These errors can delay your refund, trigger penalties, or even lead to unwanted scrutiny from the IRS.

Here’s the encouraging news: most tax filing errors are surprisingly simple to prevent. You don’t need to be a tax expert to get your return right the first time. With a little preparation and attention to detail, you can file confidently and get your refund faster.

The Most Common Mistakes That Trip People Up

Missing or Incorrect Social Security Numbers

This might sound basic, but it’s one of the most frequent errors the IRS sees. Every Social Security number on your tax return must appear exactly as it’s printed on the Social Security card. The same goes for names – they must match exactly what’s on each person’s Social Security card. That means if the card shows “Mary Elizabeth Smith” but you write “Mary E. Smith” on the return, it could cause processing delays.

If your spouse recently changed their name after marriage but hasn’t updated their Social Security card yet, use the name that matches their current card, not their new name.

Filing Before You Have All Your Documents

Don’t rush to file just because you’re eager for your refund. Filing before you receive all your tax documents is like trying to balance your checkbook with half your receipts missing. You might think you have everything, but then that late-arriving 1099 from a forgotten investment account shows up in March.

Make a checklist of all the forms you expect: W-2s from every employer you worked for in 2025, 1099s for gig work or unemployment benefits, investment income statements, and less common forms like health savings account contributions. The IRS gets copies of these forms too, so any discrepancies will be caught.

Math Errors and Calculation Mistakes

Math mistakes range from simple addition errors to complex miscalculations when figuring credits and deductions. These errors are so common that the IRS has developed systems specifically to catch them. If the agency finds a math error, you could end up owing additional money plus interest that’s been accumulating since your return was due.

The easiest way to avoid this? Use tax software that does the calculations automatically or double-check your work multiple times if you’re filing by hand.

Choosing the Wrong Filing Status

Your filing status affects your standard deduction, tax rates, and eligibility for certain credits. The five options are single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying surviving spouse. If you’re not sure which applies to your situation, the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool can walk you through the decision.

Head of household is often misunderstood. You can’t just claim this status because you’re the primary breadwinner in your household. You must be unmarried (or considered unmarried under specific IRS criteria), pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying person, and meet other requirements. Even some married people can qualify as “considered unmarried” if they lived apart from their spouse for the last six months of the year and meet additional criteria.

Incorrect Bank Account Information

If you want your refund deposited directly into your account (and you should, since it’s faster and more secure), make sure those routing and account numbers are exactly right. Paper refund checks are 16 times more likely to have issues like being lost, misdirected, stolen, or uncashed.

Call your bank to verify the numbers rather than guessing. An incorrect digit can send your refund to someone else’s account, creating a headache that takes months to resolve.

Smart Strategies to Avoid These Pitfalls

Get Organized Early

Start collecting your tax documents as soon as they arrive, typically beginning in late January. Keep them all in one place, like a large envelope or folder. This prevents the last-minute scramble to find that one missing form.

The IRS recommends waiting to file until you’ve received all necessary tax documents to avoid mistakes and potential processing delays. Most employers and financial institutions must send forms by January 31, but some investment statements can arrive later.

Consider Electronic Filing

Electronic filing reduces errors because tax software does the math, flags common errors, and prompts you for missing information. The software also guides you through each section and helps ensure you don’t miss valuable credits or deductions.

If your adjusted gross income was $84,000 or less in 2025, you can use IRS Free File with brand-name tax software at no cost. For higher incomes, Free File Fillable Forms provides electronic versions of IRS paper forms.

Double-Check Everything Before Submitting

Before you hit “send” or drop that envelope in the mail, review your return one more time. Look for obvious errors like unsigned forms (an unsigned return isn’t valid), incorrect dates, or numbers that seem unusually high or low.

Make sure all required signatures are there. For joint returns, both spouses must sign. If you’re filing electronically, you’ll need to digitally sign using your prior year’s adjusted gross income.

Know When to Get Help

You don’t have to go it alone. Free tax preparation help is available through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA serves people who generally make $67,000 or less, while TCE focuses on taxpayers aged 60 and older. You can find locations using the VITA Locator Tool or by calling 800-906-9887.

If your tax situation is more complex, consider hiring a qualified tax professional. Look for certified public accountants, enrolled agents, or other credentialed preparers. The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers can help you find qualified professionals in your area.

If You Do Make a Mistake

Don’t panic if you discover an error after filing. If you catch the mistake before the April 15 deadline, you can file a corrected return. After the deadline, you’ll need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.

You generally have three years from the date you filed your original return to amend it and claim a refund. The IRS now allows electronic filing of amended returns for recent tax years, which speeds up processing.

Remember, you’re ultimately responsible for the accuracy of your return, even if you use tax software or hire a professional. Take the time to review everything carefully, ask questions if something doesn’t look right, and don’t be afraid to double-check the details.

Filing your taxes correctly the first time saves you time, stress, and potentially money. With these strategies, you can approach tax season with confidence, knowing you’re taking the right steps to avoid common pitfalls and get your refund as quickly as possible.