As the end of the financial year closes in, many people find themselves scrambling to file income tax returns in time this year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues strict guidelines for ensuring a smooth and quick tax filing process. The last thing you want is a notification from the IRS citing an issue with the income tax return submission. So, here are six mistakes to avoid when filing your income tax return: Filing returns prematurely You might receive documentation regarding your current financial status, and this information has to be updated with the IRS. Filing prematurely can result in mistakes like omissions that only delay the processing of returns. Choosing the wrong form or filing status The IRS issues several forms for individuals, businesses, commercial establishments, and government entities to file returns. Ensure you choose the correct form and update the filing status on the official website. If there are dependents in the house or you are filing for a joint return, your filing status can vary accordingly. Making calculation errors Adding the wrong amount, excluding critical tax breaks, or even making mathematical errors while computing your income tax return are issues that IRS software can detect. However, miscalculating the return can delay the process.

The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, is the governing authority that processes tax returns filed by individuals and businesses and issues refunds. The IRS has issued sizeable refunds worth thousands of dollars in recent years. Individuals can use the money to meet daily expenses and pay pending bills. But to be eligible for prompt refunds, here are some common mistakes you should avoid while filing your tax returns this year. Updating the wrong filing status The IRS lets you file as a single taxpayer, a married taxpayer filing jointly/separately, a qualifying widow/widower, or a sole head of the household. Entering this information correctly is critical while updating the return. Filing under the wrong section can delay processing and refunds. You might even be subject to penalties if there are errors in the calculation. Not reporting all taxable income Salaried employees working for an organization should properly mention any income subject to taxes on Form W-2. Freelancers can report their income using Form 1099. Different kinds of employment and earnings are subject to different tax slabs. The bottom line is that you should never underreport your earned income in the said financial year. If the IRS notes discrepancies, it can order an audit that will lead to subsequent penalties and interest.

Every parent strives to foster their child’s physical and mental well-being. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a particular mental disorder parents should be aware of. It is a common developmental disability resulting in impaired cognitive, behavioral, affective, and social functioning. Thankfully, a timely diagnosis and expert intervention can help control its symptoms. In children, the early signs of autism appear between 12 to 18 months of age and sometimes prior. Repetitive movements Repetitive movements, including hand flapping, rocking, twirling, and turning switches on and off, can indicate the onset of autism. Some studies suggest that such repetitive behavior displayed by patients is associated with an imbalance of corticostriatal connectivity. Echolalia While repeating words and phrases is a natural part of child development, kids with autism often engage in excessive verbal repetitions, known as echolalia. Such repetitive speech tends to persist beyond three years of age and is particularly prominent among children with autism who are grappling with delayed speech development. Lack of eye contact Researchers believe that a lack of eye contact is one of the primary indicators of the disorder. Since this lack of eye contact stems from the child’s inability to communicate and interact with others, it is typically accompanied by the inability to partake in and sustain social interactions and engage in non-verbal communication.

Migraine attacks are probably more common in the country than you had imagined. Reports reveal that up to 10% of teenagers and youngsters nationwide suffer from migraines. Although migraines may have many underlying causes, such as a genetic predisposition, elevated stress levels, unpleasant smells, and hormonal changes, unfavorable environmental factors can worsen the situation. For example, here’s a look at the country’s worst cities to settle in if you are prone to having migraines: St. Louis Studies have shown that weather changes and the consequent drop in barometric pressure can cause brain chemicals like serotonin to be imbalanced, leading to severe headaches and migraines. Thus, considering the frequency of weather changes in St. Louis, it is no surprise that this city is unfavorable for individuals prone to migraine attacks. For example, St. Louis witnessed hefty rainfall in July 2022, which, according to experts, could result from climate change and global warming and is likely to become more frequent in the city. Miami According to reports, Miami is situated near the Atlantic Ocean and has a 16% likelihood of bearing the brunt of hurricanes in any given year. Many patients with migraine experience severe attacks during the onset of tropical storms and the resulting low atmospheric pressure.

Everyone knows that a sedentary lifestyle needs to be avoided to help maintain heart health. But that’s only part of what needs to be done. Maintaining a positive outlook and changing your approach to food and lifestyle habits go a long way in ensuring a healthy heart. So, for example, you must have nutrient-rich foods instead of just counting calories. In the meantime, you need to relearn that tasty food can be healthy too. Avocado Avocado is a fruit loaded with good fat or monounsaturated fatty acids. It minimizes the risk of blood clots and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Avocado smoothies and toasts are tasty treats that support a healthy heart. Coffee Some of you can’t imagine kicking the day off without your morning cuppa, Joe. This is one of those habits your heart will thank you for. Having coffee during the day is undoubtedly a tasty and healthy way to ensure the body gets its antioxidants and the inflammation levels are lowered. In addition, the high antioxidant levels in coffee or tea help significantly decrease heart disease risk. Dark chocolate Keeping your heart healthy does not have to mean giving up on your favorite chocolate or chocolate dessert. All you need to do is select the right kind of chocolate.

Prurigo nodularis is a skin disease characterized by itchiness, bumps, and rashes. People with this condition experience burning, temperature variations, and stinging on these skin bumps. While individuals may feel itchy on the bumps, they should refrain from scratching them and opt for available treatment for this condition. Similarly, eating certain foods can aggravate prurigo nodularis symptoms in individuals. Here are some avoidable foods and effective treatment avenues for prurigo nodularis: Avoidable foods Eating right has been scientifically proven to reduce the severity of prurigo nodularis symptoms. On the flip side, here are some foods that can worsen this condition in individuals: Pork and beef Red meat contains large amounts of arachidonic acid, which exacerbates inflammation in its consumers. Additionally, this chemical compound increases skin pain by exciting an individual’s peripheral somatosensory system. Pork and beef are some of the well-known and widely consumed varieties of red meat in the market. Hence, one must avoid consuming these to keep prurigo nodularis flare-ups at bay. White rice Refined carbohydrates, like red meat, increase inflammation in the body. As a result, foods containing such carbohydrates, including white rice and pasta, are among the foods to avoid for people with prurigo nodularis. Similarly, sweet baked foods such as cakes and beverages with artificial sweeteners, such as soft drinks and aerated sodas, must be avoided altogether.

In multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath of the nerve cells gets damaged, affecting the central nervous system. It is, therefore, vital to seek timely treatment. While multiple sclerosis patients don’t always show the presence of the same signs and symptoms, some of these, such as numbness and tingling, can be considered early signs of the condition. So, noting them can help doctors diagnose the condition early, leading to better treatment and management. Fatigue Exhaustion or fatigue, even when performing daily activities, is one of the early signs of multiple sclerosis. Patients might experience increased fatigue following exposure to high temperatures and infections, but it might also have no obvious cause. The chronic tiredness tends to impact one’s quality of life and work significantly. Vision problems Experiencing pain and problems with vision is one of the most common and early signs of multiple sclerosis. As the condition affects the central nervous system, the optic nerve is affected in turn. Patients might experience temporary vision loss caused by optic neuritis. It can also lead to pain in the eye, double vision, and color blindness. Problems of the optic nerve are as considered to be more concrete signs of multiple sclerosis as opposed to other early signs like numbness and a tingling sensation.

Parkinson’s is a chronic disorder that affects the nervous system and the areas of the body controlled by the nervous system. It slows down body movements, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. The condition also causes tremors, stiff muscles, poor balance, and speech changes. Everyone has a unique set of symptoms related to this illness. Even with professional assistance, it is vital to make specific lifestyle changes to manage Parkinson’s. Here are some effective strategies. Tips for dealing with Parkinson’s disease Exercise regularly Exercise benefits everyone, but it’s especially beneficial for those with this nervous system condition. Regular exercise improves physical strength, flexibility, and balance while reducing anxiety. Walking, swimming, gardening, stretching, and other forms of exercise are all beneficial. One should consult their doctor before beginning any new form of exercise to avoid complications. Learn to maintain your balance Incorrect posture and balance can lead to frequent falls and injuries. It is critical to move mindfully while exercising and walking. When taking a step, move slowly and always place your heel first. Keep your back straight while walking, avoid carrying objects, don’t walk backward, and use a device or a cane if your balance is severely impaired. Always look ahead while walking rather than down to avoid falling off balance.