Tax Preparation Checklist

Posted On: November 9, 2021  0 Comments

Most tax forms are required to be issued to you by January 31st, but certain forms have due dates in mid-February or later. If you have accounts where you have authorized electronic communication, check your email or online account for those forms. The more complete your information is, the sooner we can file your return. Check the list below and bring all applicable items with you to your tax prep appointment.

Printable Version

Personal Information

Social Security Card(s) (if a new client)
Driver’s License(s) (if a new client)
Prior two years of tax returns (if a new client)
Identity Protection PIN(s), if opted in (new PIN issued annually)

Dependent(s) Information

Dependents’ Social Security Numbers and Dates of Birth (if a new client or new dependent)
Form 8332 Release/Revocation of Release of Claim to Exemption for Child by Custodial Parent if applicable

Sources of Income

Employment Income

Form W-2 Wage Statements

Unemployment Income

IRS Form 1099-G Unemployment Compensation
CT Form UC-1099-G Unemployment Compensation (obtain online)

Self-Employed

Form 1099-NEC Nonemployee Compensation
Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income
Form 1099-K Third Party Transactions
Income records for amounts not reported on 1099s
All business income and expense records, including:

Check registers, CC statements, and receipts (organizer available here)
Business-related vehicle expenses (tolls, mileage, parking, gas, maintenance, property tax, license)
Home office information, including square footage of office and entire home

State Tax Refund

Form 1099-G State Income Tax Refund Amount (for CT obtain online, if applicable)

Rental Income

Income and expenses from rentals (organizer available here)
Rental asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation

Retirement Income

Form 1099-R Distributions from Pension/Annuity/IRA
Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement
Traditional IRA basis (i.e. amounts you contributed to the IRA that were already taxed)
Form RRB-1099 RRB Tax Statement

Investments or Dividends

Form 1099-INT Interest Income
Form 1099-DIV Dividend Income
Form 1099-OID Original Issue Discount
Form 1099-B Information of Sales of Stocks or Bonds (including original cost of securities)
Form 1099-S Proceeds from Real Estate Transactions
Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold (if basis is not reported on 1099-B)
Records of any virtual currency transactions

Other Income

Form 1099-SA Distributions from a Health Savings Account
Form 1099-Q Payments from Qualified Education Programs (529 plan or Coverdell ESA)
Form 1099-LTC Long Term Care Benefits Payments
Schedule K-1 Income from Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates
Alimony received, including SSN of ex-spouse and Divorce Decree
Form W-2G Lottery or Gambling Winnings or records showing income, as well as expenses
Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt
Form 1099-A Abandonment of Secured Property
Form 1099-MISC Prizes, Awards, or Royalty Income

Deductions

Home Ownership

Record of Purchase or Sale of Residence (HUD Settlement Closing Statement)
Real estate property taxes paid (obtain from city/town website)
Form 1098 Mortgage or Home Equity Loan Interest Statement

If a Home Equity Loan, documentation of home improvements or explanation of alternate use of funds required

Charitable Donations

Cash amounts donated to houses of worship, schools, other charitable organizations
Records of non-cash charitable donations (>$500 requires detailed information)
Mileage driven for charitable purposes

Medical Expenses

Form 5498-SA Health Savings Account Contributions
Health insurance and long-term care premiums paid (after tax premiums)
Medical expenses paid post-tax for insurance and to doctors or hospitals, eyeglasses, therapy equipment, hearing aids, bandages, crutches, therapy pool, and dental expenses (including mileage) See IRS Publication 502.

Health Insurance

Form 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement (if enrolled through the Exchange)

Child Care Expenses (under age 13 or disabled)

Required: Name, Address, and SSN or Federal ID # of provider
Fees paid to a licensed day care center or family day care for care of an infant or preschooler
Fees paid to a qualified day camp
(Don’t include expenses paid through a flexible spending account at work)

Educational Expenses

Form 1098-T from educational institutions (accounting transcript from college needed)
Form 1098-E Student Loan Interest Statement
Receipts that itemize qualified educational expenses
Records of any scholarships or fellowships received
Receipts for classroom expenses (includes PPE) up to $250 (for educators grades K-12)

State or Local Sales Taxes Paid

Amount of state/local income taxes paid (other than wage withholding), or amount of state/local sales taxes paid
Personal property (motor vehicle) taxes paid (obtain from city/town website)
Invoice showing vehicle sales taxes paid

Savings

Form 5498 IRA Contributions
Form 5498-ESA Coverdell ESA Contribution Information
CHET 529 contributions and account number

Miscellaneous Deductions

Estimated tax payment receipts
Alimony paid, SSN of recipient and Divorce Decree required
Foreign taxes paid
Gambling losses up to the amount of reported winnings

Other

IRS Letter 6419 2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments
IRS Notice 1444-C or IRS Letter 6475 Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment (info can also be found in your IRS Account)
Bank name, routing number, and account number for direct deposit (cancelled check)
Other account number for direct deposit if desired (savings, money market, health, or education accounts or certain IRAs)

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