It’s hard to believe that it is already time to start preparing for the 2021 tax season. Given the hurdles many of us faced during the 2020 tax season (the IRS is still processing some 2020 returns) it pays to be prepared and file early to avoid any delays on your refund.

To receive your refund on time, it is important to avoid some basic mistakes while filing. These include:

• Filing an incomplete return
• Failure to include a 1099 or W-2 on a paper return
• Calculation errors

While these seem like small mistakes, they can add months to your processing time. Additionally, be aware that if you received a Child Tax Credit payment or Economic Impact Payment during 2021, these will need to be documented and reported. If you are unsure of the timing or amount of the payment you received, you can find that information at IRS.gov.

Please note: The IRS will send Letter 6419 in January of 2022 to provide the total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that were received in 2021. The IRS urges taxpayers receiving these letters to make sure they hold onto them to assist them in preparing their 2021 federal tax returns in 2022.

Another way to prevent delays is by filing your taxes electronically. While this option is not practical for everyone, it will cut down on the IRS’s processing time.

Remember, the deadline for submitting your 2021 returns is April 18, 2022. If you need more time to file, you can request an extension from the IRS here.