Consider filing electronically

If you still file your taxes the old-fashioned way, you may want to consider switching to e-filing this year. The IRS e-file is available to all taxpayers, and many can file electronically at no cost.

Re-check your Social Security numbers 

Make sure every Social Security number on your return, including your own, your partner’s and each of your dependent’s, is listed correctly. Check that the SSNs related to claims for Child and Dependent Care Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit are accurate as well.

Don’t forget any deductions

Be sure you’ve taken every tax deduction that’s available to you before completing your return. Here are some of the deductions that many people often forget to claim:

• Home office deduction. If you have a space in your home that’s primarily used for work and is the principal location of your business, you can deduct the cost of upkeep for that area from your taxable income. For example, if you have a 200-square-foot space for a home office in a 2000-square-foot home, you can take the annual costs of your home (excluding rent and mortgage payments) and divide it by 10 to get the sum of your home office deduction.

• Out-of-pocket charitable contributions. Most people remember to deduct the generous donations they’ve made to charity over the past year from their taxable income, but few remember to write off the expenses they’ve covered while doing the good deeds. For example, the cost of ingredients you purchase for a meal you regularly cook for a soup kitchen can be deducted from your taxable liability, as can the cost of gas for any miles you drove for charity.

• Student loan interest you’ve paid, or that someone has paid on your behalf. 

In the past, if anyone other than the student paid toward a student loan, there were no tax benefits. Now, however, any student who is not claimed as a dependent can qualify to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest, regardless of who has made the payment.

Make sure to claim the full Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

A tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar, so it’s important to claim every credit that is owed to you. There were big changes to the Child and Dependent Care Credit this year, and it’s best to take full advantage of those changes. The American Rescue Plan, signed into law on March 11, 2021, increases the credit and makes it fully refundable, so taxpayers can receive the credit even if they don’t owe taxes. The new law also expands the eligibility requirements for taxpayers who can benefit from the credit’s highest rate.

The changes to the Child and Dependent Care Credit that apply only for tax year 2021 include:

• The highest credit percentage increased from 35% to 50% of qualifying expenses.
• Qualifying child and dependent care expenses increased from $3,000 to $8,000 for one qualifying dependent, and from $6,000 to $16,000 for two or more qualifying individuals.
• The adjusted gross income (AGI) level at which the credit percentage starts being reduced went up from $15,000 to $125,000.

Double-check your figures

If you are filing a paper return, double-check that you have correctly calculated the refund or balance due. Run the numbers through a calculator again, and then again, to ensure you haven’t made any mistakes in your figures.

Get your return in on time

Tax day is usually on April 15. This year, the deadline has been postponed to April 18. If you know you won’t be ready to file on time, you’ll need to request an extension. It’s important to note, though, that an extension to file does not include an extension for payment. Be sure to pay up on time or you may face penalties.

Don’t forget to sign your form

Your tax return must be signed and dated in order to be filed. If you’re filing jointly, be sure to have your partner sign as well.  Also, if you’ve hired someone to prepare your return, have the preparer sign the form and enter their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).

It’s tax time! Use the tips outlined here to maximize your refund and ensure there are no mistakes on your tax return.

Your Turn: Share your last-minute tax tips with us in the comments.