Prevent Tax Mistakes By Knowing What To Avoid

By Kate Bryan


Were you ever charged before for committing tax mistakes because of poor tax planning? If yes, you probably know that its correction is a painstaking process to go through. In truth, it is an expensive process too. The good news is that errors like can be avoided. As a duty payer, determination to gain knowledge and do careful planning is what can save you from them.

Not all taxpayers know that there are expenditures which they can utilize for them to incur savings. By keeping appropriate records and being mindful of your computations, there is no way you cannot reduce that legal responsibilities you shoulder. Take note of the following avoidable blunders.

Non-inclusion of charity donations. Any tax planning strategy can incorporate the money you spend in helping the less fortunate. These charity expenses may come in the form of donations or fund-raising costs. Foods, meds and other stuffs purchased with your income can be included.

Absence of retirement plan. No one or nothing can stop you from preparing for your retirement in advance. If you are paying regularly for your retirement plan premiums, talk to your employer on how these contributions may be directly deducted from your taxable income. Never forget to state your retirement beneficiaries too.

Not maximizing your contributions for health needs. This one of the tax mistakes which most workers commit. In their desire to have a bigger take home pay, they keep their health contribution at a minimum. Bigger contributions would not only reduce your taxable income. In the future, it will provide for you bigger health allowance.

Not making necessary adjustments upon change of jobs. Most employees fail to pay attention to their overall withholding. A change of jobs would be a perfect timing to do that. Perhaps, you have a higher position this time. Your salary would increase too and so do the modifications right away to avoid getting surprised in the future.

Not checking on the carry-over items. These are payments which you have made the previous year. Capital losses experienced in the previous year may also be included. Do you have contributions to charitable organizations which you failed to deduct last year because of the annual limit? You can include them in your list of deductions this year.

These are just common tax mistakes which can be avoided if you take the time to review your calculations and deductions. Even though you could be soliciting professional help, the recording of all the expenses and the income and their receipts are still in your hands. Moreover, there are some actions by which you can be charged of evasion or other violations. They may seem simple but they could come with huge consequences. An example of this is failure to declare all your income sources. Abusing or overstating allowable deductions, especially when you are self-employed, could be another offense to. Miscomputation is another thing to be careful about.




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