Tax Update Alert: 7 Mistakes You're Making with Your 2026 Return (And How Your Tax Preparer Near Me Fixes Them)

Tax season is here, and if you're thinking about tackling your 2026 return solo, you might want to hit pause. The IRS is already processing millions of returns, and guess what? They're finding the same mistakes over and over again, mistakes that delay refunds, trigger audits, and cost taxpayers serious money.

Here's the reality: the average taxpayer misses something. Whether it's a forgotten 1099, incorrect banking info, or filing before all your documents arrive, these errors pile up fast. And the worst part? Most of them are completely preventable when you've got a tax pro in your corner.

Let's break down the seven biggest mistakes taxpayers are making right now, and exactly how working with a tax preparer near you fixes them before they become expensive problems.

Mistake #1: Missing Your Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Information)

If you bought health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you need Form 1095-A to reconcile your advance premium tax credits. Skip it or enter it wrong, and the IRS won't process your return. Period.

This mistake causes delayed refunds and follow-up notices that can stretch for weeks. Tax preparers know to request this form upfront and verify every line before filing. They cross-check the premium amounts, months of coverage, and credit calculations to ensure accuracy.

How your tax preparer fixes it: They request all health insurance documentation before starting your return and enter Form 1095-A data directly from official statements, not from memory or estimates.

Mistake #2: Underreporting (or Overreporting) Estimated Tax Payments

Self-employed folks and business owners, this one's for you. Quarterly estimated tax payments get messy fast, especially if you made payments under your spouse's name or Social Security number, forgot a quarter, or accidentally reported the same payment twice.

These errors lead to IRS adjustments, surprise tax bills, or refunds that never arrive. Professional preparers maintain detailed records of every payment you've made throughout the year and verify totals against IRS records before filing.

How your tax preparer fixes it: They request copies of all quarterly payment confirmations and double-check amounts match IRS transcripts. If there's a discrepancy, they catch it before submission.

Mistake #3: Incomplete Income Reporting

Here's what trips people up: the IRS receives copies of every 1099 form, W-2, investment statement, and gig income report you get. If you don't report something, they know about it, and they'll send you a notice demanding an explanation.

Commonly missed income includes:

• 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms from side hustles
• Investment income from brokerage accounts
• Interest and dividend statements
• Cryptocurrency transactions
• Rental property income

Tax preparers systematically review every income source and cross-reference them against IRS databases to catch discrepancies before filing.

How your tax preparer fixes it: They use a comprehensive intake checklist and access to IRS transcripts to verify all income sources are accounted for. Nothing slips through.

Mistake #4: Filing Too Early Before Receiving All Documents

Filing early sounds smart, until you realize you're missing a W-2 from that job you left in March or a 1099 from a freelance client. Then you're stuck filing an amended return that delays your refund for weeks or even months.

The IRS requires actual year-end income statements, not pay stubs or estimates. Employers have until January 31 to send W-2s, and financial institutions have similar deadlines for 1099 forms.

How your tax preparer fixes it: Professional preparers won't file your return until they've confirmed all documentation is complete. They track expected forms based on your previous year's return and current year activity, then wait for everything to arrive before hitting submit.

Mistake #5: Incorrect Bank Account Information

Type one wrong digit in your routing or account number, and your direct deposit fails. The IRS then issues a paper check instead, adding weeks to your refund timeline. Worse yet, if the account number belongs to someone else, they might receive your money.

This mistake seems minor but creates major headaches. Once the IRS sends a refund to the wrong account, recovery takes months and requires extensive documentation.

How your tax preparer fixes it: They verify bank account information by requesting a voided check or bank letter showing both routing and account numbers. Then they double-check entries before electronic submission.

Mistake #6: Math Errors (Yes, Really)

The IRS found nearly 2.5 million math errors on returns filed for the 2017 tax year alone. These range from simple arithmetic mistakes to selecting wrong numbers from tax tables to miscalculating credits and deductions.

Every math error triggers an IRS adjustment or notice. Even small miscalculations can delay your refund while the IRS recalculates your return: and sometimes they adjust it in ways that reduce your refund or increase what you owe.

How your tax preparer fixes it: Professional tax software automatically performs calculations and cross-checks totals. Tax preparers then manually review computations to catch any software glitches or data entry errors before filing.

Mistake #7: Filing Status and Dependent Errors

Your filing status determines your tax bracket, eligible credits and deductions, and overall tax liability. Get it wrong: or claim an ineligible dependent: and the IRS flags your return for review.

Common errors include:

• Claiming a child who lived with you less than six months
• Both parents claiming the same dependent after divorce
• Incorrect spelling of dependent names or Social Security numbers
• Using an expired or incorrect Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Wrong date of birth for dependents

These mistakes often relate to custody arrangements, recent divorces, or misunderstanding dependent eligibility rules that changed in recent years.

How your tax preparer fixes it: They verify personal information for accuracy, confirm dependent eligibility with documentation, and review custody arrangements to determine who legally claims each dependent. They also update ITINs before filing if necessary.

Why Professional Tax Preparation Makes Financial Sense

Here's the bottom line: fixing these mistakes after you've filed costs more than preventing them in the first place. Between amended return fees, delayed refunds, potential penalties, and lost opportunities for credits and deductions, DIY tax filing often costs taxpayers hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Professional tax preparers in New Haven and surrounding areas address these issues by:

• Requesting complete documentation before starting your return
• Using current-year tax software with built-in error checking
• Reviewing all eligible credits and deductions you qualify for
• Verifying personal information matches Social Security Administration records
• Filing electronically with direct deposit for fastest processing
• Staying current on 2026 tax law changes, including new provisions affecting tip income and overtime deductions

Take Action Before April 15

Tax planning doesn't end with filing your return. Smart taxpayers work with their tax preparer throughout the year to maximize refunds and minimize surprises.

If you're still deciding whether to DIY your 2026 return or work with a tax professional, consider this: the average cost of professional tax preparation is far less than the cost of fixing mistakes, dealing with IRS notices, or missing out on credits and deductions you didn't know existed.

Ready to file your 2026 return without the stress and errors? Contact Jose's Tax Service for accurate, professional tax preparation that catches mistakes before they become problems. We're here to maximize your refund and keep you compliant: no math errors, no missing forms, no delays.

Don't wait until the deadline. Schedule your appointment today and file your 2026 return the right way: the first time.