Document Checklist:

To begin the tax preparation process, please try to have all documents available at the time of the interview.  Below is a list of the most common documents needed.  Please include all financial records you think will be required for your return.

Income:

• W-2’s from employers
• Interest and Dividend statements from banks and brokerages
• Capital Gains statements from brokerages.
• Records of any other source of income (rental real estate, small business, partnerships, miscellaneous work (1099’s), social security, unemployment, alimony received, state tax refunds, …)

Adjustments:

• IRA contributions
• Moving expenses
• School expenses

Deductions: (Only necessary if you think you may want to itemize)

• Medical expenses (if you think they may exceed 7.5% of your income)
• Real estate records (taxes, interest, and points paid)
• Taxes paid to states (usually included on W-2’s)
• Property taxes, e.g. auto excise tax
• Contributions to charity (organizational receipts for contributions >$250.)
• Other deductions (unreimbursed employee expenses, but only if they will exceed 2% of income)

Taxes paid and other credits:

• Records for any tax payments you made that are not included on W-2’s (e.g. if you paid estimated taxes or self-employment tax)
• Dependent care expenses, including amounts from dependent care savings accounts.

Last year’s documents:

• Any carryover items from last year, e.g. capital gains losses
• Copy of last year’s return