When doing your own
taxes, don’t over look an entry because you don’t understand it, or worst,
because you think you understand it and you just move passed it. Each question has an ending result.
One of the real
reasons the IRS doesn’t complain about all the incorrect taxes which are filed
by taxpayers preparing their own taxes, is because the software companies have
made it easy for you to make mistakes in the IRS favor.
Always remember this
when doing your taxes. It may take just
one click to increase your refund by hundreds of dollars. For the most part, the consumer software does
an excellent job on non-technical tax returns, meaning, if you only have one W2 and
little else to report, the major consumer software does a great job.
If you have a
Schedule A, look at the bottom of the Schedule A 1040 Tax Form. You will find Line 21 – Job Expenses. If you understand which items you can write
off, then go for it. If this puzzles you
in any way, you need a tax professional.
This one line
includes over 18 different expenses for your work which you were not reimbursed
for. Everything from Union Dues to your cell phone because you were on call or
was expected to use your cell phone to complete your work, to the cost of your uniforms and or the maintenance of your uniforms. It includes your still toe boots, if you are required to wear on your job, as well as your helmet and some tools which are used for your work. If you are an entertainer who needs that special makeup, which holds up under the heavy lighting, then you need a tax professional. This is not a line that you just want to fluff.
Every year Congress
votes in 90 to 150 new tax laws, and the consumer software companies usually
always get it right, but they don’t always have the time to program the
software to ensure that “you” get it right.
If you have a simple,
easy to do, tax return, then by all means, save yourself some money and do your
own tax return. Of course you do know
about the tax credits you may qualify for if you earn under a certain amount
each year? Read every question, answer
each question, take your time.
