The IRS had to rely on taxpayers to correctly list the date they bought a stock and how much they paid on their Schedule D capital gains and losses statement.
So if you put down the wrong date or purchase price -- whether innocently or on purpose -- you could end up paying less tax.
But now, the IRS is getting this additional data straight from brokers. If the information on your return doesn't match, you're in trouble. Be sure to locate your exact buy dates and prices, advised Georgetown's Cooke. Otherwise the IRS will quickly scoop you up for an audit.
From pet pigs to Playboy magazines, here are some of the most outlandish deductions taxpayers have tried to slip past the IRS.
