To guarantee a seamless tax filing and refund process this season, what steps should you take?

Filers are facing another complicated tax season, which runs through April 18.

The IRS is currently experiencing record-high phone call volumes and has a backlog of millions of claims from previous years, with some pandemic-era changes still applicable to 2021 tax returns.

Erin M. Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, expressed deep concern about the upcoming filing season in a recent report to Congress.

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To accurately and promptly file your return and receive any owed refund, you need to know certain information.

File as soon as you can

It is advised by experts to file tax returns promptly after collecting all necessary documents to complete the form.

The fastest way to receive your refund is by filing as soon as possible and selecting direct deposit into a bank account. According to the IRS, refunds for electronically filed returns should be processed and sent within 21 days.

Lisa Borrelli, a CPA and wealth planner at WSFS Wealth in Philadelphia, stated that she would expedite the processing time and any refunds requested.

To combat fraud, it is important to ensure that no one else can submit an incorrect return in your name.

"Paul Miller, a CPA and owner of Miller & Company, a New York-based accounting firm, stated that we have already witnessed a significant amount of fraud during the initial stages of this tax season," said Miller.

Preparing before the April deadline allows you to file and prepare for any IRS obligations.

A tax-content specialist and project coordinator for the National Association of Tax Professionals, Misty Erickson, stated that if one has a balance due, they are aware of the situation and have some time to plan for it.

Make sure you have the correct paperwork

Before filing your tax return, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, such as W-2s, 1099s, and IRS correspondence regarding stimulus checks or child tax credit payments.

Failing to report income from a side hustle, investment, or a dependent who trades stocks or cryptocurrency assets can be missed by many people.

To ensure you have all the necessary forms for your tax return this year, it's important to check the changes brought about by pandemic relief.

Working with a professional can help ensure you have all the necessary paperwork and ask the right questions to determine what you need to file. Tax software platforms also include questions to assist with this process.

To ensure that your tax return is error-free and processed quickly, you can obtain an IRS transcript, which will provide the IRS with the information you have filed.

Learn what’s different this year

Certain groups, including young adults and families with children, have unique filing requirements this year due to new credits.

To ensure that they enter the correct remaining amount of the advanced child tax credit in their tax return, parents with eligible children who received monthly payments last year must reconcile the amount they received. The IRS sent letters in January detailing the benefits received, and this information can also be found online.

The expanded child and dependent care tax credit allows those who claim it to receive up to $8,000 back for one child or $16,000 back for two or more, an increase from the previous maximum of $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more.

To obtain this advantage, parents should ensure they have kept receipts for their child care expenses from the previous year, advised Miller.

He advised to significantly improve the documentation.

Newly eligible young adults without children can receive an additional $820 on average in their tax refund through the enhanced earned income tax credit.

In 2021, single filers who had unemployment income will be taxed on any income received during the year, unlike in 2020 when the first $10,200 of that income was not taxed.

File online

Filing online is the quickest and simplest way to submit your tax information and receive a refund promptly, as the IRS is currently facing difficulties in processing paper returns.

Filing online is recommended by experts as it simplifies the process of tracking your return and refund. With online filing, you receive quick confirmation from the IRS and can monitor its progress through online portals.

Erickson stated that there is a more immediate response when using electronics.

Get help if you need it

Filing taxes accurately and claiming all eligible benefits may require professional help during tax season.

While working with a professional comes with costs, it sets you up for future success, Erickson stated.

Borrelli stated that you can work with a professional in different ways, such as having them compile and file returns on your behalf or serving as a consultant who reviews your work.

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