IRS Reveals Nine Common Tax Return Errors

As the April 15th income tax filing deadline approaches, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is providing taxpayers with advice on identifying and avoiding some of the most common tax return preparation mistakes -- the kind of errors that can delay the processing of your tax return and any refund check. Check out these highlights from the IRS Tax Tip: Nine Common Errors Made on Tax Returns:

Recovery Rebate Confusion - According to the IRS: "Many returns filed in 2009 have errors involving the Recovery Rebate Credit, a credit for people who did not receive a stimulus payment in 2008 or who did not receive the maximum amount." Learn more: IRS Offers Tips to Avoid Recovery Rebate Credit Confusion. 

Incorrect or missing Social Security numbers - The IRS says: "When entering SSNs for anyone listed on your tax return, be sure they are entered exactly as they appear on the social security cards. Incorrect or transposed numbers will cause delays in the processing of your return."

Computation errors - The IRS advises taxpayers to take their time: "Many taxpayers are making mistakes when figuring the taxable income, withholding and estimated tax payments, Earned Income Credit, Standard Deduction for age 65 or over or blind, the taxable amount of social security benefits, and child and dependent care credit."

Filing status errors - Be sure you've chosen the right tax filing status for your situation. Learn more: The Five Filing Status Possibilities.

Forgetting to sign and date the return - According to the IRS, "an unsigned tax return is like an unsigned check – it is invalid."

Get helpful tips and resources for filing your tax year 2008 federal and state income tax return, at FindLaw's 2009 Tax Center.

• Nine Common Errors Made on Tax Returns (IRS.gov)
• Daily Tax Tips for 2009 (IRS.gov)
• Top Tax Myths Debunked (FindLaw)
• April 15th is Coming: What If You Can't Pay Your Taxes? (FindLaw's Common Law Blog)
• 2009 Tax Center (FindLaw)