WELCOME TO OUR TAX PREPARATION PRACTICE
SINCE 1990

Filing deadlines are coming up:

• March 15: Corporations, S-Corporations and Partnerships
• April 15: Individual 1040

Here’s a basic checklist of information to start organizing for your  tax return. If you’re fully prepared for your tax appointment, you’ll save time and help ensure that you receive all the tax benefits, credits and deductions allowable. Although this is not an all inclusive list, it will help steer you in the right direction. As you begin receiving important tax documents at the beginning of the year, file them with this checklist.

• Copy of your LAST YEAR tax return (unless we have a copy)
• Notices or correspondence received from the Internal Revenue Service or your state tax agency
• Social Security number and date of birth for yourself, spouse and dependents
• Amount of any alimony paid and ex-spouse’s Social Security number
• Childcare records (including provider’s name, address and ID number)
• Form 8332 (Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents), copies of your divorce decree, or other documents proving your right to claim a child living with your ex-spouse
• Receipts for tuition expenses as well as scholarships and fellowships received for post-high school education and Form 1098-T (tuition statement)
• Detail of adoption costs, retirement plan contributions, student loan interest, moving expenses, self-employed health insurance, alimony paid, educator expenses, etc.
• W-2 forms from all employers for whom you and your spouse worked during the year
• Saving and Investment forms received (1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, 1099-B, 1099-S, Schedule(s) K-1). Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold
• Record of other income received from, but not limited to, unemployment, state tax refund, gambling income and losses, alimony received, jury duty, hobby income and expenses, prizes and awards, healthcare reimbursement, Social Security benefits, etc.
• Business, Farming or Rental Income information
  1. Books/accounting records for your business, including all income and expenses
  2. Records of all major purchases such as machinery, equipment, and furniture
  3. Logs or other records (if your business maintains an inventory of goods or material)
  4. If you use your home for business, provide square footage of your home office area and total square footage of your home. Include expenses to be claimed such as rent, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, mortgage interest, property tax, etc.
• Itemized Tax Deductions
  1. Medical expenses, including medical mileage
  2. Forms 1098 or other mortgage statements. Closing statement if you purchased or refinanced
  3. Amount of state/local income tax paid (not withheld)
  4. Real estate and personal property tax records
  5. Cash amounts donated to qualifying charities
  6. Records of non-cash charitable donations, as well as mileage driven for charitable purposes
  7. Expenses related to your investments. Detail of thefts.
  8. Employment-related expenses not reimbursed by your employer
  9. Amount paid for preparation of your Last Year tax return and job-hunting expenses