Maximize Your Tax Appointment: What to Bring
Tax season is here, and you are starting to think… Man, what do I need to remember to bring this year? The good news is: we have a simple tax checklist you can find HERE. We also send you everything you need to know in your client organizer. This packet includes our engagement letter as well as a list of questions to help brainstorm any documents or information we need to be aware of.
The following is a good general list of the items to bring in with you for your scheduled tax appointment:
Prior Year Tax Return Copies
This is generally only needed if you are a new client. If so, bring your tax returns from the previous three years.
Personal & Dependent Information
Social Security or ITIN Numbers with date of births for anyone who’ll be on your tax return
Childcare payment records with licensed provider’s ID number(s)
Amount of any alimony payments with ex-spouse SSN
Income Statements
Bring any & all W-2, 1098, 1099 & schedule K-1 forms
Purchase date & total investment for any stocks or property sold
List of investment related expenses
Education scholarships or fellowships
Itemized Deductions
Mortgage interest, real estate & personal property tax records
Casualty & theft losses
Amounts of state & local income tax paid in prior years
Records of cash donations to religious institutions, schools & other charities
Records on non-cash charitable donations
Unreimbursed job-related expenses (travel, tools, cell phone charges, uniform cost/cleaning, luggage, services fees, trade journals, meals & entertainment)
Job search/moving expenses
Retirement & Education
Records of any contributions to IRAs, HSAs & other retirement plans
Records of tuition and other higher education expenses (books, computers, etc)
Health Care (New for Tax Year 2018)
Form 1095-A if you received health insurance from an Exchange (State or Federal)
Marketplace exemption certificate if you applied for and received an exemption from the Exchange
Stocks & Mutual Funds
If you sold stocks or mutual funds, please provide a spreadsheet/list showing:
The date(s) you purchased each item(s) sold
Total purchase price of each item sold. Do not assume your cost information is provided on Form 1099.
Self-Employment
Gross self-employment income for the tax year and your applicable expenses categorized and summarized by the type of expense (i.e. advertising, equipment, supplies, etc)
Rental Property
If you received income from rental property (Schedule E), please prepare a simple 1-page income statement showing:
Gross rental income you received during the tax year
Your applicable expenses categorized and summarized by the type of expense (i.e. advertising, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, repairs, maintenance, condo fees, etc).
Rental start date and original cost base for all properties
If you used a portion of your home for business use, please provide:
Square footage calculation of the area used for business
The date you began using the space for business
Original purchase price paid for the property
Summary of your utility expenses (gas, electric, oil, condo fees, landscaping, snowplowing, maintenance, etc)
Major home improvements and direct office expenses (repairs, business phone, etc).
Business Use of Home Information
If you use a part of your home for your business, bring the following:
Square footage calculation of the area used for business
The date you began using the space for business
Original purchase price paid for the property
Summary of your utility expenses (gas, electric, oil, condo fees, landscaping, snowplowing, maintenance, etc)
Major home improvements and direct office expenses (repairs, business phone, etc)
If You Were Affected by a Disaster
There are deductions that are applicable if you were affected by a federally declared disaster.
Records of property loss
Records of building/repair costs
Insurance reimbursement/claims to be paid
FEMA assistance information
Violet Ly
Front Office Supervisor
