DIY Tax Accuracy Promise, Isn’t Always Accurate

After more than a decade in the tax industry, I’ve seen it all. From running my own tax, bookkeeping, and Notary business to working for one of the biggest names in DIY tax prep software. That gave me a unique perspective: I saw the sharp contrast between what the software promises and what actually happens when people try to file on their own. Here’s the truth: Just because the software says your return is “100% accurate” doesn’t mean it really is. That guarantee is based on calculations—not whether you entered the right numbers in the right way. And that’s where most people slip up. The software can’t catch what you don’t enter. It doesn’t know what you forgot, misunderstood, or assumed was correct. Every year, I help people clean up mistakes from self-prepared returns. Most of the time, these people had no idea they filed incorrectly until they got a letter from the IRS—or missed out on a refund they were actually owed. Here are the top 5 mistakes I see people make when they try to do their own taxes:

1. Self-Employed? Missing Deductions or Taking the Wrong Ones

Freelancers, contractors, and small business owners often leave money on the table. Either they forget to claim expenses they’re entitled to, or they write off things that don’t actually qualify. Both can cost you—either in lost refunds or potential audits.

2. Choosing the Wrong Deduction (Standard vs. Itemized)

Many filers let the software choose for them. But depending on your situation, you might benefit from itemizing, even if the standard deduction looks easier. DIY platforms often default to what's simple, not what's optimal.

3. Incorrectly Reporting Investment Income

This one is sneaky. Most people do report their interest and dividends—but many don’t enter the correct state tax information that comes with it. That means you could be paying more in state tax than you should… or not enough. Either way, it’s a problem.

4. Misreporting Multistate Income

If you worked in more than one state, moved during the year, or have income from out-of-state sources, things get tricky. DIY platforms rarely guide users through this accurately, and I’ve seen plenty of returns misallocate income, leading to overpayments—or worse, underpayments and fines.

5. Filing When You Don’t Even Need To

Some people rush to file when they’re not legally required to, especially young adults or part-time workers. This can open up unnecessary risk or delay credits that could be claimed in a later year.

If you filed your taxes yourself this year and something doesn’t feel quite right—you’re not alone. I offer a Tax Return Review Service specifically for self-prepared returns. I’ll go through your filing line-by-line, flag any issues, and let you know if anything should be corrected, amended, or optimized. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about making sure you’re protected and not leaving money behind. Let me double-check your DIY return before the IRS does.