What to Bring to a Tax Appointment:

The Starting Point:

• Last year's tax return (if not prepared by our office)

• Social Security numbers and birthdates for children and other dependents

Income Documents:

• All W-2s from employers

• Any statements for miscellaneous income from odd jobs, contracts, etc.

• All interest statements from banks (Form 1099-INT)

• Dividend statements from investment companies (Form 1099-DIV)

• Statements of any unemployment insurance received (Form 1099-G)

• Statements of your last year's state tax refund if you received one

• Any Schedule K-1 received from a partnership, an estate, or S-corporation

• Gambling winnings/losses

• Alimony amounts received/paid

• Social Security statements

• Transaction statements for stocks/bonds you sold during the year (Form 1099-B)

  • The purchase price and date of purchase for any stocks you sold during the year

• Information about any other income you received during the year

Business Records- If you operate a small business or rental properties:

• A copy of last year's business return (if not prepared by our office)

• An income and expenses  (profit & loss) statement with all expenses categorized (Example 1)

• A list of all business assets including cost and date purchased (Example 2)

• A written record of miles driven for business (Example 3)

• Business-use percentage for assets also used for personal purposes, i.e. 75% for business

• Subcontractor names, addresses, SSN and amounts paid

• Amount paid for health insurance premiums

• If you have an office in your home

  • Square-footage of your home and square-footage of your office

  • Amounts paid for home utilities, insurance, repairs, and improvements

  • Purchase date and cost of your home

Deductions:

• Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)

• Real estate taxes paid

• Mortgage points paid on a new home, paid by the seller, or on a refinance

• The amount you paid for state taxes last year (if you owed state taxes last year)

• Irrigation tax if you do not have access to the water

• Vehicle taxes/registration fees

• Amount of interest paid on student loans

• Record of contributions to any IRA, college savings plan, or Health Savings Account

• Moving expenses if the move was job-related and more than 50 miles

• Expenses for classroom supplies (for teachers only)

• Alimony paid

• Medical expenses - insurance, physicians, hospitals, prescriptions, co-pays, eye exams/glasses

  • Home improvements done for medical reasons

  • Mileage driven for medical appointments

  • Nursing home expenses where medical treatment is main reason for living at that home

• Cash contributions to churches and qualified nonprofit organizations

  • A list, with the fair market value, of items donated to nonprofit organizations

  • Mileage driven for charitable purposes, i.e. driving for church camp

   

• Job related expenses you were not reimbursed for, such as travel, supplies, education, tools, uniforms, dues, etc.

  • Job hunting expenses such as resumes, travel, phone charges, and employment agency fees.

   

• Expenses for safe deposit boxes, IRA management fees, investment advice, investment-related publications, and education

Other Items:

• Closing papers for real estate you bought, sold, or refinanced during the year

• Name, address, and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for child care providers along with amount paid

• Amounts paid for college tuition for yourself or your dependents