Tax Practitioners: Most Common Tax Filing Errors - State of Georgia tax

The purpose of this list is to inform practitioners of common mistakes that cause delays in processing their clients' returns. This list was compiled based on errors encountered during the past filing season. Adherence to these items could increase the timeliness and accuracy of return processing, as well as reduce requests for corrected or additional information. We hope you find it useful.

- Using staples. Please do not staple your check and W2s to the return. This could cause delays and damage to documents.

- Using the incorrect mailing envelope or address.

- Failing to use the latest version of a software program or overriding warnings given by the program when invalid information is entered or required fields are left blank.

- Changing information on a preprinted return or label, or failing to verify the client's name, address, and social security number. Do not use the label if any of the taxpayer's information is incorrect.

- Putting the incorrect date on an individual or corporate estimated tax return. If you do not have the necessary form, you can obtain it from our website at www.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms.aspx or order it by contacting the Forms Section at taxforms@dor.ga.gov .

- Mailing two-dimensional barcode returns to the incorrect address. Returns with a "2-D" barcode should be mailed to: Georgia Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 105597, Atlanta, GA 30348-5597 (refund returns) or Georgia Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 105613, Atlanta, GA 30348-5613 (tax due or no money returns).

- Failing to include the spouse's social security number when filing Married (filing single); or omitting or using an incorrect residency status.

- Listing tax withheld (Line 19) on the line for estimated tax (Line 20), and vice versa. Payments remitted with Form IT-560 should be listed on Line 20.

- Failing to include required schedules or forms, such as copies of W-2s, Form 1040, Schedule A, and other states' tax returns.

- Calculating credits, prepayments, and Georgia AGI incorrectly. Be sure to make adjustments for any differences in taxable income based on Federal and Georgia tax law.

- Incorrectly listing or omitting the number of dependents. The names, SSNs, and relationships of dependents should be listed in the table on Line 6. The total number of exemptions should be listed in the box on Line 7.

- DO NOT ADVISE YOUR CLIENTS TO SEND THEIR RETURNS CERTIFIED MAIL. This will cause processing delays.