We all want to get the messy work of our tax forms done and out of the way as soon as possible. However, tax attorney Donna LaValley, contributing editor for J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax 2005, says in your rush you could easily mess up.

"There are a number of things that I would check over not once, not twice but three times. One is having your name signed at the bottom of the return. Having your social security numbers match the recipient and the recipient's name. So, if you married and you have not changed your name with the Social Security Administration, use your maiden name and your social security number. Also, I suggest if you've added up your tax return, you have your taxable income, put it down, go back to it in a few hours, or a few days. If you are filing a joint return, have the person who didn't prepare it look it up. Also, remember to sign your check!"

Sending a check by the way is a good thing, says LaValley, because it means you owe a little bit more on April 15th, but getting a big refund means you have let your money sit in Washington earning no interest for over a year and that she says, makes no sense.

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