Filing Taxes Last Minute? 8 Things to Double-Check to Avoid IRS Issues and Refund Delays

Tax Day is just around the corner. And while last-minute filing is common, rushing can cause mistakes that delay refunds, trigger IRS notices, or require costly corrections later. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Delivered dailyKiplinger TodayProfit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. 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The IRS expects about 164 million individual returns this year, and as of early April, tens of millions of taxpayers were still finalizing returns ahead of the deadline.Filing close to the tax deadline doesn’t automatically lead to penalties or problems — but it does leave less time to catch and fix issues before you submit.Here’s what to watch for and how to stay on track as the April 15 Tax Day deadline approaches.Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special IssuesProfit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.One of the most common issues in this phase is missing paperwork. With the IRS processing more than 150 million returns each year, forms like 1099s from freelance work, investment accounts, or side income can arrive late or be corrected close to the deadline.So before you file, take a few extra minutes to review your accounts and income sources to make sure nothing is missing.And if you’re still waiting on tax records, it may be better to bide your time or file for an extension than submit an incomplete return.Small tax return mistakes can cause big problems at the Tax Day deadline. Surprisingly simple issues can lead the IRS to potentially reject your return or delay processing.Some common examples include:These kinds of errors are easy to miss when you’re moving quickly, but they can slow things down more than you might expect. So before submitting your return, double-check your personal information and make sure what's on your return matches your official records.Tip: Be sure to double-check your filing status, especially if your situation changed during the year due to a marriage, divorce, or the loss of a spouse.Entering your banking information is one of the last steps when filing, and one of the easiest places to make a mistake when you’re moving quickly.An incorrect routing or account number can cause delays. If the account doesn’t match, the bank may reject the deposit and return it to the IRS — or worse, send your tax refund to the wrong place.According to the IRS, most refunds are issued within a few weeks when direct deposit information is correct, but missing or invalid details can delay the process. As Kiplinger has reported, that's especially been true since the IRS is phasing out paper checks.The IRS may flag a return for identity verification, especially if something doesn’t match prior filings or looks unusual. This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a serious issue.Note: The IRS has also warned that some scam notices appear legitimate, so verify any communication by checking your IRS online account or calling the IRS directly.IRS systems handle a surge of traffic on Tax Day, which is April 15 for most filers. While that usually isn’t an issue, last-minute filing can lead to technical problems or longer upload wait times.If you run into a technical issue close to the deadline, you may not have enough time to fix it before the cutoff.Filing earlier in the day can give you more time to deal with any issues if something doesn’t go through on the first try.If you owe taxes, an extension gives you more time to file, but it doesn’t change your payment deadline.You can pay online through IRS Direct Pay, a debit or credit card, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or by setting up a payment plan if needed.Make sure to double-check your information and keep a record of your payment confirmation.Tax credits and deductions can lower your tax bill or increase your refund, but they’re also easy to overlook when you’re rushing to file.Missing a credit you qualify for — or entering incorrect information — can affect your final numbers and potentially delay processing if something doesn’t match IRS records.Common areas to double-check include education credits, child-related tax benefits, and deductions tied to self-employment or business expenses.Before you file, review the tax breaks you’ve claimed and make sure they’re accurate and complete based on your records. Consulting with a tax professional is a good idea if you're uncertain.While most states stick to the April 15 deadline, not all do. In Virginia, for example, state tax returns are typically due May 1, while Hawaii filers usually have until April 20.Depending on where you live, your state deadline may not match the federal timeline.And in some cases, deadlines can shift even further. The IRS and state tax agencies may extend filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers in areas affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, or severe storms.Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.Chrissy Paradis is a Raleigh-based writer and multimedia producer specializing in retirement and tax planning for pre-retirees and retirees. She develops radio and digital content for nationwide audiences, covering retirement income, portfolio strategy, long-term care, and healthcare costs. With more than a decade of experience in broadcast journalism, she writes about financial issues affecting everyday investors. She holds a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Media and a Paralegal Certificate from North Carolina State University.