Common items needed for tax preparation:
- Client Engagement Letter (required for ALL clients): 2023 Engagement Letter
- Optional Tax Organizer (returning clients: only need CHANGES): 2023 Tax Organizer
- Copy of your last years tax return (if not prepared by me)
- ID: due to identity theft, must enter current drivers license or ID (let me know if you got a new ID or renewed it as I must have current issue date and expiration date)
- Social security numbers of all taxpayers, spouses and children listed on return – I have this if I prepared before (but don’t forget the new babies born in the current year)
- W2s (wages, etc)
- 1099 forms (interest earned, dividends etc)
- Brokerage statements from stock, bond or other investment transactions
- Info on virtual currency trading (such as bitcoin) – need gain/loss info for the year
- Closing statements pertaining to real estate transactions (HUD marked FINAL or Closing Disclosure dated within 3 days of closing date)
- 1099-R Retirement Withdraws
- 1099-G for Unemployment Received (Taxable by Fed, not by CA)
- Schedule K-1 (income/loss from pass through partnerships, S corps, etc)
- SSA-1099 Social security income statements
- Alimony Received (for divorce prior to 12/31/18 only)
- Forms 1099-K (Merchant Card & Third Party Network Payments)
- W2-G Gambling winnings (and record of losses to extent of winnings)
- 1098-E Student Loan Interest Paid
- Alimony Paid – need name & social security to who its paid (if divorce prior to 12/31/18)
- Medical expenses – including premiums paid NOT through employer (total must exceed 7.5% of income)
- Sales tax paid on large purchases (vehicles, trailer, boat, etc) – bring sales contracts
- 1098 Mortgage Interest Statements (you will have multiples if your loan sold or if you refinanced)
- If you refinanced, bring final closing statement for possible deductible expenses
- Interest paid on trailer or motorhome (if you itemize)
- Interest or property taxes paid on a timeshare (as a second home), bring itemized statement that breaks out these expenses.
- DMV fees paid (bring actual bills if you have them)
- Property Taxes paid (this will be on mortgage tax form if you have escrow acct)
- Charitable Contributions (cash/check and also non-cash)
- Unreimbursed employee expenses (tools, uniforms, union dues) – no longer deductible on fed but can use for STATE ONLY.
- Daycare expenses (amount paid, name, address, phone, & tax ID)
- 1095-A Forms from Covered California (if you had insurance through them)
- 1095-B Forms from health insurance company
- Solar contract if you PURCHASED or financed solar (leases don’t qualify for credit)
- All other supporting docs (schedules, checkbook, etc that will help you recall transactions)
- Direct Deposit Information
- Any tax notices received from the IRS or other taxing authorities
- Anything else you are unsure about
Rental Properties:
Rental income
1098 Mortgage Interest Paid
Property Taxes Paid
Insurance Paid
Any other expenses paid (utilities, management fees, mileage, repairs, cleaning, HOA, etc)
Small Business (self-employed on Schedule C):
1. Total sales/business income (typically matches your bank deposits)*
2. Purchases (inventory, parts, supplies, etc)
3. Advertising (includes flyers & business cards too)
4. Car & Truck expenses (make/model of vehicle, total miles driven and then of those how many are for business)
5. Contract Labor (typically you must 1099 anyone you pay over $600)
6. Office Supplies
7. Rent (includes office rent or booth rent for hairdressers)
8. Business Licenses or Fees
9. Meals & Entertainment
10. Supplies
11. Travel Expense
12. Business Use of Home (home office – sq ft used, total sq ft of house, total rent, utilities, insurance, etc)
13. Other Expenses such as cell phone, uniforms, tools, merchant fees**, etc
*Bring 1099-K if you received one from your merchant (credit card) processing company
**In most cases you need to call your merchant service to know your merchant fees paid.
Special Organizers:
Daycare Provider Tax Organizer
Direct Sellers Tax Organizer
Truckers Tax Organizer