First Capital Advisors, LLC

During the course of tax season, many people make mistakes when preparing their returns.  Some of the most common involve the filing status, number of dependents, total income and deductions.  Other mistakes such as computational errors are usually corrected by the IRS. 

Corrections to your return should be made using Form 1040X, Amended US Individual Income Tax Return.  If you have more than one return to amend, you will need to use a separate Form 1040X for each.  Additionally, if you have other schedules to include, be sure to attach them to the Form 1040X.   

The deadline for filing Form 1040X is three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid any taxes.  Therefore, you have plenty of time to get your paperwork in order.  But don’t delay or you will forget and will miss this important deadline.

For more information on amending your return, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Although most people won’t be filing their tax returns for several months, the dog days of summer are actually a great time to start planning for the tax filing season by ensuring your records are organized.  Whether you are an individual taxpayer or a business owner, you can avoid headaches at tax time with good records because they will help you remember transactions you made during the year.

Here are a few things the IRS wants you to know about recordkeeping.

Keeping well-organized records also ensures you can answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you are billed for additional tax. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.

Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years:

• Bills
• Credit card and other receipts
• Invoices
• Mileage logs
• Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment
• Any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return

You should normally keep records relating to property until at least three years after you sell or otherwise dispose of the property. Examples include:

• A home purchase or improvement
• Stocks and other investments
• Individual Retirement Arrangement transactions
• Rental property records

If you are a small business owner, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. Examples of important documents business owners should keep Include:

• Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC
• Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices
• Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments
• Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks

For more information about recordkeeping, check out IRS Publications 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals, 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, and Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses. These publications are available on the IRS Web site, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Links:

• IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals (PDF)
• IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records (PDF)
• IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses (PDF)

Source: IRS Issue Number:    Summertime Tax Tip 2009-23