5 Common Tax Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Filing your taxes isn’t always easy—and a simple mistake can cost you. Whether it’s missing a deduction or choosing the wrong filing status, small errors can lead to big problems like IRS penalties or even an audit.

At Walker Tax Relief, we help people fix tax mistakes every day—and we want to help you avoid them before they happen. Here are five of the most common issues we see, and how to steer clear of them:

1. Not Reporting All Your Income
If you earned money from a side gig, freelance job, or online platform (like Etsy or Uber), the IRS expects you to report it—even if you didn’t get a 1099. Forgetting or skipping income reporting is one of the fastest ways to raise red flags with the IRS.


Keep track of every source of income, even cash. We’ll help you sort through your records and make sure everything is included on your return.

2. Missing Deductions & Credits
There are a lot of deductions and credits available—but many people don’t take full advantage of them. Whether it’s student loan interest, charitable donations, or home office expenses, these can significantly reduce your tax bill.


We make sure you don’t leave money on the table. Our team reviews your situation to uncover every credit and deduction you’re entitled to.

3. Math Errors
Even small math mistakes can throw off your return and result in penalties, delays, or an audit. With so many numbers to crunch, it’s easy to accidentally make a miscalculation.


Let us handle the numbers. We use professional software and trained eyes to make sure everything adds up correctly—saving you time and headaches.

4. Filing Late—or Not at All
Missing the April deadline (or October if you file an extension) can lead to interest and late-filing penalties. Not filing at all? That opens the door for much larger problems, including enforced collections.


If you’re running behind, we can help you file quickly and correctly—and if you haven’t filed in years, we’ll walk you through getting caught up without panic.

5. Using the Wrong Filing Status
Your filing status affects your tax bracket, credits, and refund. Choosing the wrong one—like filing as “single” when you qualify as “head of household”—can cost you.


We’ll help you determine the most beneficial and correct filing status based on your situation, including complex family or relationship dynamics.

Avoiding Mistakes Starts with a Plan
It’s easy to miss something when filing your taxes—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Walker Tax Relief, we take the stress out of tax season by helping you:

File accurately and on time

Maximize your refund

Avoid common IRS pitfalls

Let’s get your taxes done right.
Whether you’re filing this year or need help cleaning up past mistakes, reach out today for a free consultation. We’ll make sure you’re on the right track.