Tax season opens today - Avoid these common mistakes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1/27/2025

Tax Season opens today - avoid these common mistakes when filing your return​

The SCDOR begins accepting 2024 Individual Income Tax returns today, January 27, 2025.

Remember: due to relief granted in the wake of Hurricane Helene​, South Carolina returns are due May 1, 2025.

​​​​​When it’s time to file, don’t let errors on your tax return delay your refund or increase your tax bill. Here are 5 of the most common mistakes the SCDOR sees this time of year:

1. Using paper returns and doing the math yourself – According to the IRS, approximately 21% of paper returns have an error, compared to less than 1% of electronically-filed returns. Why? Because filing software does the math for you and features automatic checkpoints that ensure your return is complete.
2. Filing without your W-2 and 1099 forms – Wait to receive those forms before filing, and don't be tempted to file using pay stubs. You need your W-2 and 1099 forms to accurately report your income.
3. Being careless as you enter information – Even electronic filing requires you to enter a significant amount of information, including income data, bank account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and your name, which should be spelled exactly as it’s printed on your social security card.
   Take your time, double check that you’ve entered accurate data, and don’t forget to sign your return. Any errors will delay processing and could cause your return to be flagged by the SCDOR’s fraud detection process.
4. Not updating your address – Using a new address that the SCDOR does not have yet may cause a delay in processing while we attempt to verify that information. Also, if the SCDOR needs to contact you about your return, we will mail you a notice to the address we have on file.
   Customers with a MyDORWAY account can update their address by logging in and selecting the More tab, then clicking Manage Names & Addresses. If you don’t have a MyDORWAY account, use the SC8822I.
5. ​Entering your banking information when filing if you’re not able to pay your full balance – If you owe a balance after filing your return, your filing software will likely allow you to enter your banking information and select a payment date. If you enter your banking information, the SCDOR will debit your account on the payment date you choose. So if you want to enter into a payment plan, or pay using a different payment method, do not enter your banking information.