Tax Return Checklist

Before you begin your tax return, gather all the required documents to minimize delays. Make sure you have social security numbers and birthdates for you and your dependents, all income documents (such as W-2 and 1099), and all expense related documents available before you file. We can send you a comprehensive tax organizer or you can use the checklist below as a guide for the documents needed to complete your tax returns.

Individual Checklist

• General information
  • Full names, social security numbers, and birthdates for you, your spouse, and any dependents you plan to claim
  • Voided Check (if electronic filing)
  • Tax returns filed from the prior year
  • Payments of estimated federal, state, local taxes paid
• Itemized deductions
  • Medical expenses, such as health care (prescriptions, doctors, dentists, eyeglasses) and medical insurance premiums
  • Form 1098 – Mortgage Interest Expense
  • Real estate tax bills
  • Receipts or acknowledgement letters for gifts to charity
• Income information
  • Form W-2 from your employer
  • Form 1099-MISC for other various types of income
  • Social Security benefits received
  • Gambling winnings and losses
  • Rental property income
  • Form 1099-DIV for dividends and Form 1099-INT for interest income
  • Stocks sold report (Form 1099-B)
  • The cost basis of any investments not reported on Form 1099-B
  • Form K-1 for income from partnerships, S corporations, estates, or trusts
• Tax credits and deductions information
  • Adoption expenses
  • Medical savings accounts
  • IRA contributions
  • Alimony paid
  • Student loan interest paid
  • Rental property expenses and cost basis
  • Form 1098-T for tuition paid for higher education
  • Casualty or Theft Losses
  • Foreign taxes paid

 Business Owners Checklist

• General information
  • List of all business owners: names, social security numbers, addresses, percent of ownership, date ownership acquired, and detail of distributions
  • Prior year tax return
  • Copy of current year financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and general ledger
  • IRS and Department of Revenue correspondence received in the previous year
  • List of any business-related activities in other states
• Income information (if not reported on the financial statements)
  • Gross receipts from sales or services
  • Sales records
  • Returns and allowances
  • Form 1099-DIV for dividends and Form 1099-INT for interest income
  • Schedule K-1 for income from partnerships, S corporations, estates, or trusts
  • Details of fixed assets and depreciation schedules
• Expense related documents (if not reported on the financial statements)
  • Cost of goods sold, if applicable
  • Rental expenses and/or real estate expenses
  • Amounts of any estimated tax payments
  • Vehicle information and use, including vehicle leases
  • Advertising
  • Transportation and travel expenses
  • Commissions paid to subcontractors
  • Business insurance
  • Interest expenses
  • Professional fees
  • In-home office expenses
  • Wages paid to employees
  • Any other expenses