Amended returns are NOT mandatory – you can’t be prosecuted for failure to file an amended return. You don’t have to file an amended return, but if you do, you must correct everything. Math errors are not a reason to file an amended return, since the IRS will correct math errors on your return. You must file a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. Amended returns are only filed on paper, so even if you filed your original return electronically, you’ll have to amend on paper. You must amend each year separately Amended returns are more likely to be audited. Refunds can be applied to estimated taxes. Normally the IRS has three years to audit a tax return. You might assume that filing an amended tax return would restart that three-year statute of limitations. Surprisingly, it doesn’t. Don’t forget interest and penalties.

If you pay someone to prepare your tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that preparer wisely. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. So, it is important to choose carefully when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return. Most return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients. This year, the IRS wants to remind all taxpayers that they should use only preparers who sign the returns they prepare and enter their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs).

It is important to keep in mind the IRS generally does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.

Be on the lookout for all those tax statements, including W-2's, 1099s and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) 1095 forms. You'll need these documents for your tax return. Issuers are by law supposed to get the docs on their way to you by January 31, 2017.

Now is a good time to set up a system to keep tax records safe and easy to find when filing next year, applying for a home loan or financial aid. Tax records must support the income, deductions and credits claimed on returns. Taxpayers need to keep these records if the IRS asks questions about a tax return or to file an amended return.

For most taxpayers, Dec. 31 is the last day to take actions that will impact their 2016 tax returns. For example, charitable contributions are deductible in the year made. Donations charged to a credit card before the end of 2016 count for the 2016 tax year, even if the bill isn’t paid until 2017. Checks to a charity count for 2016 as long as they are mailed by the last day of the year.

The IRS has announced that tax season will officially begin on January 23, 2017. The filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Tuesday, April 18, 2017. This date is due to April 15 falling on a Saturday and the following Monday being Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia.

New Due Date for Forms W-2 — January 31, 2017 is now the due date for filing 2016 Forms W-2 and W-3 with the SSA, whether filing using paper forms or electronically. (Forms W-2AS, W-2CM, W-2GU, W-2VI, and W-3SS are also included.) New Due Date for Forms 1099-MISC Using Box 7 — January 31, 2017 is now the due date for filing Forms 1099-MISC when reporting nonemployee compensation payments in box 7.

Whoopee, 2015 Tax Season completed! If you didn't git-r-done, penalties may apply.

Since the 15th falls on a weekend, October 17th is the deadline for Extended personal taxes for 2015.

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