Top 10 Last Minute Tax Tips

Tips from the IRS to ease your last-minute filing concerns.

The Real Cost of the "Fiscal Cliff" - Many Americans understand how a failure to avoid the "fiscal cliff" could hurt their pocketbook. According to a Gallup poll released Dec. 11, 75 percent of people agreed that the most negative impact on the country would be a hike in federal income and social security payroll taxes for most Americans. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Get Your Records Together - As the end of tax season draws near, BET.com presents tips from the IRS to help ease the process. — Britt Middleton Streamline the process by gathering all the documents you will need, including receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support income or deductions you will be claiming on your tax return. Store them in a safe place. (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Claiming Zero Wages - Using fake information on your return to lower the amount of taxes owed is illegal and can result in a $5,000 penalty. In this scam, using Form 4852 (a substitute W-2) or  a “corrected” 1099 form is used as a way to improperly reduce taxable income to zero. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Report All Your Income - You will need all your W-2 forms, wage and tax statements and 1099 income statements to report your income when you file your tax return. Add them to your other "safe keeping" forms for easy access. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Get Help When You Need It - You can use the IRS' Interactive Tax Assistant online tool available to find answers to common questions about tax credits and deductions. (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

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Get Help When You Need It - You can use the IRS' Interactive Tax Assistant online tool available to find answers to common questions about tax credits and deductions. (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

Use Free File - If you made $57,000 or less last year, you can prepare your return using free, brand-name tax software to help streamline the process (click here for more information). If you're comfortable doing your own return and made more than $57,000, the Free File Fillable forms available at IRS.gov/freefile is another option to consider.  (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

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Use Free File - If you made $57,000 or less last year, you can prepare your return using free, brand-name tax software to help streamline the process (click here for more information). If you're comfortable doing your own return and made more than $57,000, the Free File Fillable forms available at IRS.gov/freefile is another option to consider.  (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

Higher Taxes for More - According to a Tax Policy Center report, 88 percent of taxpayers would see their taxes rise by an average of $3,500 per year. Households with incomes of $50,000 to $75,000 would see an increase of $2,400 per year. (Photo: Comstock/STOCK)

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E-File - E-filing your taxes online through irs.gov, tax preparation software or through your licensed tax preparer can help you get your return back faster. E-filing also gives you more options to pay or defer payment until after the April 15 deadline if you owe taxes.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Use Direct Deposit - Combining e-file with direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way for you to get your refund. (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Collect Recommendations and Testimonials - Not just the old school kind, though. Did someone just big you up on Twitter? Reply and retweet, then screenshot it and post it on your website.  (Photo: Stockbyte/Getty Images)

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Get Tech Savvy - Use the IRS website to stay up-to-date with filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions, the latest tax law changes and more. (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Use Available Resources - There are a number of online forms and publications online to help with your tax filing needs on the IRS website. (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

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Use Available Resources - There are a number of online forms and publications online to help with your tax filing needs on the IRS website. (Photo: Internal Revenue Service)

Tax Increase - Under the Ryan Republican budget, the wealthiest citizens would receive a tax cut, while middle class families would see a $2,000 tax increase. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Review Your Return - By rushing, you risk making mistakes on your return that could cost you valuable tax savings. Some of the most common mistakes include errors in social security numbers and math calculations. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)