Tax Preparation Appointment Check List
Please bring the following information to your tax appointment:
• New Clients, bring tax returns for the prior 3 years
• Blank Check for direct deposit of any refunds
• If you purchased health insurance through a state or federal exchange, bring form 1095-A
• W-2’s, 1098’s, & 1099’s (unemployment, interest, dividends, social security, pension, gambling, prizes, etc)
• Any other income such as cancellation of debt, bartering, jury duty, and scholarships—even if no 1099
• If you received any tips not reported to your employer or not included in your W-2, provide amount
• If New Client—Social Security Cards and dates of birth for yourself, spouse & other dependents
• If Returning Client—Social Security Cards and date of birth for any new dependents/spouse
• Settlement Statement for any home or rental property purchased, refinanced, or sold
• K-1’s for partnerships, S-Corps, estates and trusts (also distributions from & transfers to foreign trust)
• For sales of stocks/securities (1099-B) or other property, the following is needed:
1) property description 2) purchase date 3) sale date 4) purchase price 5) selling price 6) improvements and 7) expense of sale
• Details (see above item) on any stocks or securities you own that became worthless during the year
• Details on any stock options granted to you by your employer or any stock options you exercised
• Detail of charitable contributions—cash (Church or Synagogue, United Way, etc.) and non cash
• Mortgage interest statements, real estate taxes, personal property taxes
• Interest payments on a boat or recreational vehicle with a bedroom, kitchen and bath
• Detail of estimated tax payments made, if any
• Medical expenses if you will itemize deductions and you incurred significant expenses
• Long Term Care Insurance Premiums paid
• Detail of payments you made to nursing homes for a possible Nursing Home Assessment Credit
• Child care expenses/cost of caring for a handicapped individual so you could work, attend school, or look for a job
—amount paid, name, address, and tax ID # of provider
• Tuition Payments (1098-T)—bring Bursar Statements, student loan interest, and 529 plan contributions
• Contributions to an IRA, Roth IRA, or self employed retirement plan you made or plan to make for tax year
• For purchases of vehicles, motorcycles and motor homes, provide sales tax paid for possible deduction
• If you or your spouse are age 70 or older, are you taking required retirement plan distributions?
• Contributions/withdrawals from HSA’s (Health Savings Accounts) or MSA (Archer Medical Savings Acct)
• Details of gifts totaling more than $14,000 to any individual during the year
• Energy Efficient Home Improvements—cost and date installed (insulation, doors, windows, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioning, solar, wind, etc.)
Bring any information on energy ratings you may have
• UN-reimbursed job expenses: Uniforms, dues, travel, supplies, etc. (See #3 & 28 in business checklist)
• Job seeking expenses in same field—travel, food, employment agency fees, resume cost, etc.
• Moving expenses for a new job—provide details
• Adoption Expenses
• If you rent an apartment, the amount of rent and any utilities included (if your income is under $18,001)
• Alimony Paid—Social Security Number of Recipient, Alimony Received
• Non-custodial parent claiming an exemption(s) for your child(ren), provide form 8332 if applicable
• Detail of dependent children’s unearned income if over $1,000 (interest, dividends, capital gains, etc.)
• Please inform tax preparer if you or your spouse is legally blind or disabled
• If you purchased a plug-in vehicle or alternative fuel source vehicle, please provide details
• If you are a teacher, please provide details of out-of-pocket classroom expenses
• Details of any financial accounts (including retirement) maintained by a foreign (non-US) financial institution
• Financial interest in or signature or other authority over a foreign financial account, please provide details
• If you employ an individual to perform household services (baby-sitting, cleaning, etc.) provide details
• If any changes were made to federal or state returns (amended or audit) for prior years, provide details
• Provide cost of items purchased for which NY State sales tax was not paid but should have been
• National Guard or Reservists who travel over 100 miles away from home and stay overnight, provide details
• Provide details for any auto accident, fire, theft, natural disaster, etc. for a possible casualty loss deduction
• If you have any other income not listed above do not assume it is not taxable.
Please bring the relevant information to your tax appointment so a determination can be made
Please see the Business and Rental Property checklist if you have business or rental activity to report.