Getting Ready for Tax Day: Essential Tips for a Smooth Appointme
Follow these simple steps to ensure you’re fully prepared
How to Prepare for Your Tax Appointment
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)
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
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