10 tips to avoid IRS audit as tax due date approaches

Taxes are due soon and while the IRS only audits 1% of taxpayers, Boston 25 News wants to make sure you’re not one of them.

Here are 10 pieces of advice to help you avoid being part of the 1 million taxpayers who will be audited once taxes are due.

1.Double check your numbers

An honest mistake can bring grave consequences. Check every number, whether it’s dollar figures, your social security number, your math — everything.

2. Give the exact dollar figure

If your deductions are all nice, neat numbers, it’s a red flag.

Give the exact figure, for example, $872 for gas for work. Don’t round up to $1,000.

Mark Steber works with Jackson Hewitt and said this part is crucial.

“No guesstimates, no estimates. If you know you have it, you need to find out where it is and put it on your tax return,” said Steber.

3. File electronically

Turbo Tax says the error rate for a paper return is 21% and for electronic returns, it is 0.5%.

4. Be careful with claiming your car as your office

A lot of people use their car for work.

But don’t claim the car 100% for business, unless you truly never use the car for personal reasons.

5. Accurate reporting of spending and earning

If you consistently report that you spend more than you earn, make sure that is actually true.

It looks suspicious if you’re constantly coming up negative on your expenses.

6. Be careful with medical and dental deductions

If you deduct medical or dental expenses, remember it’s only the amount beyond 7.5% of your gross income.

That means if you grossed $50,000, you only deduct medical and dental over $3,750.

7. Report extra income

A lot of people find ways to make extra money on the side, but make sure you report it.

If you make $600 or more from the same job, you should get a 1099 form.

8. Claiming home office

Last year, a lot of people worked from home, but you can only claim a home office if you’re self-employed or an independent contractor.

If you work for someone else, you cannot claim it, even if you work from your living room.

9. Proof of donations

If you donated more than $250, you need to have written proof.

10. Earned income tax credits

Make sure your earned income tax credits are correct.

This is crucial. Forbes says incorrect earned income tax credits account for 40% of audits.

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