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READY TO FILE? RUN DOWN THE CHECKLIST

April 14, 2007

If you are going to file by the April 17 deadline, you should have your taxes about done by now. Before you drop that form in the mail, take a few minutes to go through the IRS last-minute checklist:

* Did you use the peel–off label and enter any corrections? If you used the label, did you enter your social security number in the space provided?

* If you do not have a label, or there are too many corrections, did you clearly print your name, social security number, and address, including zip code directly on your return?

* Did you enter the names and social security numbers for yourself, your spouse, your dependents, and qualifying children for earned income credit or child tax credit, exactly as they appear on the social security cards? If there have been any name changes be sure to go to www.ssa.gov or call at 1–800–772–1213.

* Did you check only one filing status?

* Did you check the appropriate exemption boxes and enter the names and social security numbers exactly as they appear on the Social Security Card, for all of the dependents claimed? Is the total number of exemptions entered?

* Did you enter income, deductions, and credits on the correct lines and are the totals correct?

* If you show a negative amount on your return, did you put brackets around it?

* If you are taking the standard deduction and checked any box indicating either you or your spouse were age 65 or older or blind, did you find the correct standard deduction using the worksheet in the Form 1040 Instructions or the Form 1040A Instructions?

* Did you figure the tax correctly? If you used the tax tables, did you use the correct column for your filing status?

* Did you sign and date the return? If it is a joint return, did your spouse also sign and date the return?

* Do you have a Form W-2 (PDF) from all of your employers and did you attach Copy B of each to your return? File only one return, even if you have more than one job. Combine the wages and withholding from all Form W–2's, on one return.

* Did you attach any Form 1099-R (PDF) that shows tax withheld?

* Did you attach all other necessary schedules and forms in sequence number order given in the upper right–hand corner?

* If you owe tax, did you enclose a check or money order with the return and write your social security number, tax form, and tax year on the payment? Refer to Topic 158 for more information, and

* Did you make a copy of the signed return and all schedules for your records?

A few minutes now can save you weeks of frustrating correspondence with the IRS. It's time well spent.

This is one of a series of daily tax tips appearing here at www.taxupdateblog.com through April 17, this year's tax deadline. Collect them all!

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