Tax Season Mistakes to Avoid
Authored by: Diane Payne — Partner, EA | Date Published: November 24, 2025
It’s the night of April 14th. You thought filing taxes was straightforward, and now you’re stuck second-guessing every number and wondering if you should’ve kept that receipt from February. Sound familiar?
Just like other busy times of the year, tax season requires proper planning if you want to execute it the right way. There are a few things that you can still do before the April 15th tax deadline to determine your 2026 tax liability. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of four of the most common mistakes you want to avoid.
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1. Missing last-minute opportunities to save
While the IRS will likely catch your missing W-2 income or if you’ve double claimed someone as a dependent, they won’t fix your return if you forgot to claim deductions or credits you didn’t know you were eligible for.
The good news is MBE CPAs stay up to date on the latest tax regulations and incentives relevant to you or your business. Our custom strategies help maximize your savings, get the highest possible refund, or minimize the tax due.
Read more about recent tax updates that you could apply for this season.
2. Waiting to file
Tax filing can slowly become more complicated than you anticipated. You may realize you need additional paperwork or that it’s time to ditch cheap software, both of which prompt you to hire a professional. Filing on time allows the people who are busiest during tax season to be more available to help with your needs.
Here are reasons why filing early will benefit you:
- Protect against identity theft and refund fraud. Scammers who get hold of your Social Security number can prevent you from using it on this year’s taxes, causing major headaches. Lock down and protect your data by filing your tax return sooner rather than later.
- Have more time to save what you owe. When the payment deadline rolls around, there’s nothing worse than finding out days before that you owe a large amount of money to the IRS. By getting your taxes done early, you’ll have more time to save and avoid interest and penalties.
- Get a head start on applying for a mortgage or your child’s financial aid. If you receive a refund, you must file your tax return beforehand.
- You’ll get your money back sooner.
More than just avoiding stress, receiving an early tax return can help you reach your financial goals by funding your retirement account or your bills. Our financial advisors at MBE Wealth Management can help you formulate a plan to optimize your last-minute savings.
3. Forgetting important paperwork
Filing early means getting your refund early, and who doesn’t want that? However, rushing through the process can lead to mistakes that require you to amend your tax return later. Approach tax season proactively with a well-thought-out plan, not impulsively, to reap the benefits of your tax return.
Here are tips to keep in mind before you file:
- Carefully review all your past activities that might result in someone issuing you a tax document.
- Did you open a new investment account, make a charitable donation, pay for school tuition, or pay a student loan?
- Be certain you have all the documents you need.
Incorrect filing statuses and easily avoidable errors can cost you real dollars, rather than helping you uncover hidden ways to save.
4. Not having a professional file your taxes
It’s no secret that these are only a few of the tax filing mistakes you could avoid. This year, you can shred that long checklist of common filing mistakes if you just hire a professional.
Trading in proper tax filing for instant gratification could also mean that you’re missing out on some valuable deductions or credits that may be available to you. With the help of a tax professional, you’ll have your tax filed on time, with the right paperwork, and without unnecessary stress.
Take advantage of tax-saving opportunities and make it less taxing on yourself.