CHECKLIST
DOWNLOAD THIS CHECKLIST AS A PRINTABLE PDF DOCUMENT
Before we meet…
It’s important to have all your documents together and organized; this helps make the best use of your time, and your preparers. Go through the following checklist, highlight the items that apply to you, and make sure you organize in a folder or an envelope. Another option is to staple this checklist to a folder, then check items off the list as you add them to the folder.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Driver’s license for you and your spouse
Social Security numbers and dates of birth for you, your spouse, and your dependents
Copies of last year’s tax return for you and your spouse (prefer the last three years for new clients)
Bank account number and routing number, if using direct deposit
DOCUMENTS RELATED TO YOUR INCOME
Last pay stub of the prior year
W-2 forms for you and your spouse
1099-C forms for cancellation of debt
1099-G forms for unemployment income, or state or local tax refunds
1099-MISC forms for you and your spouse (for any independent contractor work)
1099-R, Form 8606 for payments/distributions from IRAs or retirement plans
1099-S forms for income from sale of a property
1099-K forms if you received payments for internet or credit card transactions
1099-INT, -DIV, -B, or K-1s for investment or interest income
SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits received
Business or farming income – profit/loss statement, capital equipment information
Rental property income and expenses: profit/loss statement, suspended loss information
Alimony received
Prior year installment sale information – Forms 6252, principal and interest collected during the year,
Social Security number (SSN) and address for payer
Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account, scholarships, etc.
DOCUMENTS RELATED TO INCOME ADJUSTMENTS
Form 1098-E for student loan interest paid (or loan statements for student loans)
Form 1098-T for tuition paid (or receipts/canceled checks for tuition paid for post-high school)
For teachers: Canceled checks or receipts for expenses paid for classroom supplies, etc.
Records of IRA contributions made during the year
Receipts for any qualifying energy-efficient home improvements (solar, windows, etc.)
Records of Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions
Self-employed health insurance payment records
Records of moving expenses
Alimony paid
Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and other self-employed pension plans
DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS (IF YOU ITEMIZE)
1098-C for donations of automobiles or boats
Childcare costs: provider’s name, address, tax ID, and amount paid (even with daycare flex account)
Adoption costs: SSN of child; records of legal, medical and transportation costs
Education costs: Form 1098-T, education expenses
Forms 1098: Mortgage interest, private mortgage insurance (PMI), and points you paid
Investment interest expenses
Charitable donations: cash amounts, official charity receipts, canceled checks; value of donated property; miles driven and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-cash donations over $500, include date, place, fair market value, and original cost
Medical and dental expense records
Casualty and theft losses: amount of damage, insurance reimbursements
Records/amounts of other miscellaneous tax deductions: union dues; unreimbursed employee expenses (uniforms, supplies, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.)
Records of home business expenses, home size/office size, home expenses
Rental property income/expenses: profit/loss statement, rental property suspended loss information
TAXES YOU’VE PAID
State and local income taxes paid
Real estate taxes paid
Personal property taxes
Vehicle license fees based on value of vehicle
OTHER INFORMATION
Estimated tax payments made during the year (self-employed)
Prior-year refund applied to current year and/or any amount paid with an extension to file
Foreign bank account information: location, name of bank, account number, peak value of account during the year