Tax season is stressful enough without the looming threat of an audit. Keep your return “clean” by avoiding these common filing mistakes.

Let’s be honest: nobody wants letters from the IRS arriving in their mailbox, unless it’s a refund check. While the dreaded “audit” is statistically rare for most average earners, certain behaviors and errors on your tax return act like flares alerting IRS automated systems to take a closer look.

At Nine Tax Filer, our goal isn’t just to get your taxes done; it’s to get them done right so you can have peace of mind throughout the year.

Here are five common red flags that can trigger IRS scrutiny and how you can avoid them.

1. Discrepancies in Reported Income

The IRS receives copies of all the forms you receive—your W-2s from employers, 1099-NECs from freelance gigs, and 1099-INTs from your bank.

Their computers automatically match what you report against what these third parties report. If you forget to include that $1,500 you made freelancing in November, or you mistype a W-2 number, the system will flag the discrepancy immediately.

The Fix: Organize all documents before you start filing. Don’t guess at numbers. If you are waiting on a 1099, wait until you receive it to file.

2. Taking Excessive Deductions for Your Income Level

The IRS knows what the “average” charitable donation or business expense looks like for someone in your income bracket.

If you earn $60,000 a year but claim you donated $25,000 to charity, that is going to look suspicious. Similarly, if your small side-business earned $5,000 but you claimed $15,000 in “home office expenses,” expect questions.

The Fix: Be honest. You are entitled to every legitimate deduction you qualify for, but you must have the documentation to prove it (receipts, mileage logs, acknowledgment letters).

3. Errors with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC is a valuable credit for low-to-moderate-income workers, but it is also one of the most heavily scrutinized areas of the tax code due to high rates of improper claims. Common errors include claiming children who don’t meet the residency requirements or miscalculating income.

The Fix: The rules for EITC are complex. Double-check the IRS qualification guidelines or, better yet, use a professional service to ensure you meet all the criteria before claiming it.

4. Mixing Business and Personal Expenses

This is common among entrepreneurs and gig workers. You cannot deduct the cost of your daily commute as a business expense, nor can you deduct the entire cost of your personal cell phone bill just because you occasionally answer a work email on it.

The Fix: Maintain strict separation. Use a separate business credit card and bank account for your self-employment activities. Only claim the business-use percentage of shared assets like phones or cars.

5. Simple Math Errors (The DIY Trap)

Even in the age of tax software, basic data entry errors happen constantly. Transposing numbers (typing $51,000 instead of $15,000) or miscalculating basic addition if you are filing on paper can stop your return in its tracks.

The Fix: Slow down. Always review your return before hitting submit.

The Ultimate Safety Net? The best way to avoid these red flags is to have a second, experienced set of eyes on your return. At Nine Tax Filer, we review your situation holistically to ensure accuracy, maximize your refund, and minimize your audit risk.

Don’t guess with the IRS. Contact Nine Tax Filer today for a precise, worry-free filing experience.