Preparing for tax day

Use these tips to help you prepare for your appointment

What should you do to prepare for your appointment?

Tax Tools and Information Feed.
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Required documents to keep on file:

  • Copies of Drivers License or State IDs
  • Social Security Cards
  • Proof of Residence for dependents claiming EIC

Income documents:

  • Income from jobs: forms W-2 for you and your spouse
  • Investment income—various forms 1099 (-INT, -DIV, -B, etc.), K-1s, stock option information
  • Income from state and local income tax refunds and/or unemployment: forms 1099-G
  • Taxable alimony received
  • Business or farming income—profit/loss statement, capital equipment information
  • If you use your home for business—home size, office size, home expenses, office expenses
  • IRA/pension distributions—forms 1099-R, 8606
  • Rental property income/expense—profit/Loss statement, rental property suspended loss information
  • Social Security benefits—forms SSA-1099
  • Income from sales of property—original cost and cost of improvements, escrow closing statement, cancelled debt information (form 1099-C)
  • Prior year installment sale information—forms 6252, principal and Interest collected during the year, SSN and address of payer
  • Other miscellaneous income—jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account (MSA), scholarships, etc.
(Use our handy IRS document search tool for your documents)
How can I check on my tax refunds? Tax Related Web-sites/phone numbers: IRS www.irs.gov IRS Get Refund Status IRS Inquiry Phone: (800) 829-1040
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Other tax documents:

  • IRA contributions
  • Energy credits
  • Student loan interest
  • Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions
  • Self-employed health insurance payments
  • Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE and other self-employed pension plans
  • Alimony paid that is tax deductible
  • Educator expenses
  • State and local income taxes paid
  • Real estate taxes paid
  • Personal property taxes—vehicle license fee based on value
  • Estimated tax payment made during the year, prior year refund applied to current year, and any amount paid with an extension to file.
  • Direct deposit information—routing and account numbers
  • Foreign bank account information—location, name of bank, account number, peak value of account during the year

Tax deduction documents:

  • Child care costs—provider’s name, address, tax id, and amount paid
  • Education costs—forms 1098-T, education expenses
  • Adoption costs—SSN of child, legal, medical, and transportation costs
  • Home mortgage interest and points you paid—Forms 1098
  • Investment interest expense
  • Charitable donations—cash amounts and value of donated property, miles driven, and out-of-pocket expenses
  • Casualty and theft losses—amount of damage, insurance reimbursements
  • Medical and dental expenses