Modern Faqs

Preparing your own taxes can be difficult, and many Californians end up using a San Diego tax preparation service instead.  Though a great many Americans successfully do their own taxes at home, the IRS sees many of the same mistakes year after year and recommends avoiding these common errors when working on your taxes.

1. Don’t claim dependents who aren’t actually dependents. The IRS reports a huge drop in the number of people listed as dependents on other tax returns after they started requiring social security numbers for dependents to be listed.  Though sometimes the issue of whether someone is a dependent is clear-cut, it’s often not – such as if your child is away at school or if you have a non-traditional family.
2. Use the correct forms. If your tax situation is very complicated, it may require a large number of forms and schedules.  Be sure to use the right forms and include your 1040s and 1099 forms when filing your taxes.  For help with selecting the right forms for tax preparation Oceanside residents can consult a tax expert or visit their local library.
3. Sign your return! An amazing number of people still fail to sign and date their tax returns, and if your return is turned in unsigned it counts as unfiled.  Be sure to check that your return is signed and dated at all necessary spots.