The biggest threat in the last-minute rush to complete your tax forms may be stupid little mistakes. Avoid these all-too-common goofs and you'll avoid the headaches that go along with them:

1. It's not the toughest part of the tax return, but the IRS says one of the most common mistakes occurs on the bottom of the tax form: the place where you're supposed to sign your name. A lot of taxpayers simply forget to do it.

And, a return without a signature is like no return at all. Although the IRS won't send back your forms (it doesn't want them to get lost in the mail), everything is put on hold while you're sent a special form to sign certifying that your return is accurate. Only after you sign and send in that form, and the tax agency matches it up with your other forms, can your return be processed -- and any refund check issued.

2. Double-check the Social Security numbers you enter for yourself, your spouse and all your dependents. Forgetting to enter a number, or transposing two figures, will make the IRS reject your claim for the exemption. You'll have to straighten things out and that, too, will slow down you refund.

Year after year, the IRS says bad Social Security numbers are at the top of the list of taxpayer mistakes.

MORE: Kiplinger.com | Your Money | Taxes | Column

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