Tax Resources

tools to help you

Tax Preparation Checklist

Refund Tracker

Getting organized to prepare for your tax appointment can save you a ton of time, and is well worth the effort.

Filing your taxes on your own is not for the faint of heart. That’s even with nice-looking softwares on the market which purport to make it easy for you.

But that’s what we’re here for. Let *us* make it easy for you.

Below is a list of what you will need during the tax preparation process. Not all of them will apply to you — probably MOST will not. Nonetheless, it’s a useful checklist.

Before you get overwhelmed: yes, this is a long list — but it’s the unfortunate reality of our tax code that it’s not even comprehensive! But these items will cover 95% of our clients. Really, this is for ensuring that we’re able to help you keep every dollar you can keep under our tax code.

Also note: Certain deductions went away this year, that we’re used to handling on behalf of our clients. And some that you might be used to as well. This list has changed a little, and I’ve notated additional changes coming down the pike.

Tax Preparation Checklist

Personal Data

  • Social Security Numbers & DOB (including spouse and children)
  • Child care provider tax I.D. / SSN and address

Employment & Income Data

  • W-2 forms for this year
  • Tax refunds and unemployment compensation: Form 1099-G
  • Miscellaneous income including rent: Form 1099-MISC
  • Partnership, trust, and S-Corporation income: Form K-1
  • Pensions, annuities, retirement or profit sharing plans, IRAs, etc.: Form 1099-R
  • Alimony received (including payer’s SSN) if divorce finalized prior to 1/1/2019
  • Jury duty pay
  • Gambling and lottery winnings: Form W-2G
  • Prizes and awards
  • Scholarships and fellowships
  • Social Security income: Form SSA-1099
  • Transfer of stock options exercised: Form 3922
  • Amount of CARES Act payment received (1st stimulus paid April/May 2020: $1,200 per adult, $500 per child)
  • Amount of CAA payment received (2nd Stimulus paid January 2021: $600 per adult & child)

Health Insurance Information

  • All 1095-A Forms from marketplace providers (if you purchased insurance through a Marketplace)
  • Records of credits and/or advance payments received from the Premium Tax Credit (if claiming)

Homeowner/Renter Data

  • Residential address(es) for this year
  • Mortgage interest: Form 1098
  • Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-S Second mortgage interest paid
  • Real estate taxes paid
  • Rent paid during tax year
  • Settlement statement for any real estate purchased or sold during the year

Homeowner/Renter Data

  • Residential address(es) for this year
  • Mortgage interest: Form 1098
  • Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-S Second mortgage interest paid
  • Real estate taxes paid
  • Rent paid during tax year
  • Settlement statement for any real estate purchased or sold during the year

Financial Assets

  • Interest income statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID
  • Dividend income statements: Form 1099-DIV
  • Proceeds from broker transactions: Form 1099-B
  • Retirement plan distribution: Form 1099-R
  • Capital gains or losses

Financial Liabilities

  • Auto loans and leases (account numbers and car value) if vehicle used for business
  • Student loan interest paid: Form 1098-E
  • Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits

Automobiles

  • Personal property tax information
  • Department of Motor Vehicles fees (only if including sales or property tax)
  • Sales tax on purchase

Expenses

  • Gifts to charity (receipts for any single donations of $250 or more, and non-cash donations of $500 or more)
  • Unreimbursed expenses and mileage related to volunteer work
  • Education expenses (tuition and fees)
  • Child care expenses
  • Medical Savings Accounts and Health Savings accounts: Form 1099-SA
  • Adoption expenses
  • Alimony paid (including payee’s SSN) if divorce finalized prior to 1/1/2019

Self-Employment Data

  • Estimated tax vouchers for the current year
  • Self-employment income
  • Self-employment SEP plans, Simple IRA
  • Self-employed health insurance (do not include COBRA)
  • K-1s on all partnerships
  • Receipts or documentation for business-related expenses
  • Farm income and expenses
  • Rent income and expenses
  • Number of days you were unable to work due to being quarantined due to COVID-19 or due to symptoms of COVID-19, including time while waiting for test results (do not include days reimbursed by an employer)
  • Number of days you were unable to work due to caring for a family member who was quarantined due to COVID-19 or caring for a child due to the closure of a childcare facility / school

Deduction Documents

  • State and local income taxes
  • IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions
  • Medical expenses
  • Casualty or theft losses
  • Other miscellaneous deductions
  • Educator expenses

Track Your Refund

We’re here to help make your tax filing easy.