WHAT DOCUMENTS TO BRING TO THE OFFICE

 

PERSONAL TAX RETURNS

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

  • Picture ID, Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual TaxID Number (ITIN).

  • Spouse's information- Full Name, SSN or ITIN, Date of Birth, Address if different, Occupation. Same information is required in case of filing Married Filing Separate (MFS).       

  • Dependents' information - Full Name, SSN or ITIN, Date of Birth

  • Form 8332 showing that the child's custodial parent is releasing the right to the non custodial parent (the tax payer) to claim the child as dependent

  • Alimony paid and ex-spouse's Full Name and  SSN 

  • Last 3 years of 1040/1040EZ Tax Returns

  • Checkbook or debit/credit card.
     

INCOME:

  • W-2’s & 1099-MISC Forms
  • Partnership, S-Corp and Trusts K-1 Forms
  • Interest income from savings/checking - 1099-INT
  • Stock & Mutual Fund dividends - 1099-DIV
  • Unemployment income or State Refund 1099-G
  • Retirement plan, Annuity or IRA distribution - 1099-R
  • Alimony received - full name and SSN of the paying ex-spouse
  • If self employed: Totals of business income & expenses
  • Rental income and expenses for each property
  • Retirement plan, IRA and Roth IRA conversions 1099-R
  • Social Security/ Railroad Retirement Benefit income 1099-SSA/ RRB-1099
  • Other Income: Prizes, Lotto, Gambling winnings- W2-G, Cancellation of Debt 1099-C
  • Investments Income - Brokerage statements 1099-B with sale of stocks information: Dates of acquisition and sale, Original cost and Sale prices, Realized gain/loss report
  • Proceeds from real estate transactions - 1099-S
  • Distributions from qualified education saving plans: Qualified ABLE Plan 1099-QA, Coverdell ESA - 1099-ESA

 

ADJUSTMENTS TO INCOME:

  • IRA contributions, basis
  • Self-employed SEP-IRA Contributions
  • Student Loan interest paid - 1099-E
  • College Tuition deduction - 1099-T
  • Educator – Teacher expenses
  • Health insurance paid (If self employed)
  • Alimony paid - ex-spouse's Full Name and SSN.
  • Hybrid car & Electric plug-in vehicle deduction
  • Moving expenses. (If job related & more than 50 miles)
  • Health Saving Account Contribution - 5498-SA for contribution and 1099-SA for qualified distributions
  • Contributions to Qualified Education Plans: Qualified ABLE Plan - 5498-QA, Coverdell ESA 5498-ESA

 

ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS:

  • Medical bills paid and medical insurance premiums  (If more than 10% of your income)
  • Property taxes statement if not paid through escrow
  • State and Local Taxes for previous years (If paid this tax year)
  • Sales tax paid for Large Purchases- Invoice/ Contract
  • Personal property tax - vehicle, etc.
  • Mortgage interest and property tax paid - form 1098 or other mortgage statement
  • Points paid on refinancing or purchase of home
  • Charitable contributions (cash & non-cash)
  • Miles driven for medical or charitable purposes
  • Tax preparation fee (New customers only)
  • Safety deposit box fee
  • Investment books & expenses
  • Work expenses:  Union Dues, Uniforms, Tools, Meals and Entertainment (M&E), Computer, Business Travel, Training, Publications or any other non reimbursed employment related expenses
  • Job-hunting expenses
  • Hobby income and expenses

 

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS:

  • Adoption expenses and employer provided adoption benefits
  • Estimated Taxes Paid
  • Copy of last 3 year’s Tax returns
  • College students must bring in their 1098-T form from their school for Tax credits for education
  • Bring your or your dependent's  1099-E for Interest paid on Student Loan.
  • Child care expenses: Name, address, Tax ID Number of Care Provider
  • If you bought or sold property during the year: bring the Escrow settlement statements for the purchase/sale
  • New Car purchase contracts

 

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX DOCUMENTS: 

  • Form 1095-A for taxpayers enrolled in health insurance plan through the Marketplace(Exchange)
  • Form 1095-B and/or 1095-C  for tax payers enrolled through any other source ( employer, insurance company, government health plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, Medical ( for CA), etc.)
  • Marketplace Exemption Certificate (ECN) if you have applied and have received an exemption from the Marketplace.

 

BUSINESS TAX RETURNS

INCOME:

  • Gross receipts from sales or services
  • Sales records (for accrual based taxpayers)
  • Returns and allowances
  • Business checking/savings account interest (1099-INT or statement)
  • Other income 

COST OF GOODS SOLD:

  • Inventory
  • Beginning inventory 
  • Inventory purchases
  • Ending inventory 
  • Items removed for personal purposes
  • Materials & Supplies

EXPENSES:

  • Advertising
  • Phones (landline, fax or cell phones related to business)
  • Computer & internet expenses
  • Transportation and travel expenses
    • Local transportation
      • Business trip (mileage) log
      • Receipts for public transportation, parking, and tolls 
    • Travel away from home
      • Airfare or mileage/actual expense if drove
      • Hotel
      • Meals, tips
      • Taxi, tips
      • Internet connection (hotel, Internet café etc.), laundry, dry cleaning
      • Other
  • Commissions paid to subcontractors
    • File Form 1099-MISC and 1096 as necessary
  • Depreciation
    • Cost and first date of business use of assets
    • Records relating to personal use of assets
    • Sales price and disposition date of any assets sold
  • Business insurance
    • Errors and omissions
    • Casualty loss insurance
    • Other
  • Interest expense
    • Mortgage interest on building owned by business
    • Interest paid on business loans
    • Investment expense and interest paid
  • Professional fees
    • Lawyers, accountants, and consultants
  • Office supplies
    • Pens, paper, staples, and other consumables
  • Rent expense
    • Office space rent
    • Business-use vehicle lease expense
    • Other
  • Office-in-home
    • Square footage of office space
    • Total square footage of home
    • Hours of use, if operating an in home daycare
    • Mortgage interest or rent paid
    • Homeowner's or renters' insurance
    • Utilities
    • Cost of home and first date of business use ( improvements have to be separate)
  • Wages paid to employees
    • Form W-2 and W-3
    • Federal and state payroll returns (Form 940, Form 941, etc.)
      • Employee benefit expenses 
      • Contractors - Form 1099-MISC and Form 1096
  • Other expenses
    • Repairs, maintenance of office facility, etc
    • Estimated tax payments made
    • Other business related expenses
      • Health insurance
      • Premiums paid to cover the sole-proprietor and family
      • Premiums paid on behalf of partners and S corporation shareholders
      • Information on spouse's employer provided insurance