What To Bring To Your Tax Appointment
Get organized for your tax appointment
If it’s just after tax season, this list will help you know what documents to keep an eye out for throughout the year and set aside. If your tax appointment is right around the corner, this list is a great resource to help you track down the right documents.
Below is a list of what you will need during the tax preparation process.
Tax Preparation Checklist—Personal & Business
Personal Tax Checklist
Not all of the items below will apply to you. If you are unsure, feel free to give us a call—we are happy to help.
Personal Data
- Social Security Numbers (including spouse and children). Don’t forget about your new baby!
- Child care provider tax I.D. or Social Security Number
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 and trust income
- Pensions and annuities
- Alimony received
- Jury duty pay
- Gambling and lottery winnings
- Prizes and awards
- Scholarships and fellowships
- State and local income tax refunds
- Unemployment compensation
Health Insurance Information
NOTE — As it says on the IRS health insurance information page, form 1040 will not have the “full-year health care coverage or exempt” box and Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, will no longer be used. You need not make a shared responsibility payment or file Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, with your tax return if you don’t have minimum essential coverage for part or all of 2019.
- 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
- Moving expenses (if in active military, and moving for new orders)
- Reimbursements for moving (counts as ordinary income)
Deduction Documents
- State and local income taxes (note: $10,000 limit, as last year)
- IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions
- Medical expenses
- Other miscellaneous deductions
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
- Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits
Expenses
- Gifts to charity (receipts for any single donations of $250 or more)
- Expenses related to volunteer work that have not been reimbursed
- Investment expenses
- Job-hunting expenses
- Education expenses (tuition and fees)
- Child care expenses
- Medical Savings Accounts
- Adoption expenses
Automobiles
- Personal property tax information
- Department of Motor Vehicles fees
Self-Employment Data
- Estimated tax vouchers for the current year
- Self-employment tax
- Self-employment SEP plans
- Self-employed health insurance
- K-1s on all partnerships
- Receipts or documentation for business-related expenses
- Farm income
Business Tax Checklist
Remember that not everything on this list will apply to your business. If you aren’t sure what it is, chances are good you don’t need to worry about it. But if you aren’t sure and want to check with us, feel free to give us a call! We can walk you through anything that you have a question about.
Basic Personal Information
Name, Address, SSN
If you have an EIN (Employer Identification Number) or a Tax ID Number (TIN), bring that along with the legal name of your business.
Previous Tax Returns
New clients should at the very least, bring last year’s tax return, but bringing the past 2-3 years is even better. This helps us get a better idea of your business and deductions.
Business Financial Reports
These reports are easy to pull from your accounting software such as QuickBooks.
- Profit & Loss
- Balance Sheet
Business Loan Information
Bring records of loan payments and accrued interest.
Asset Information
Bring information such as receipts or documents on any assets that you have bought, sold, or depreciated in the last year. Some accounting software programs have reports that can help you gather this information.
Payroll
Bring copies of employee W-2, W-3s, and 1099s, health insurance amounts, & anything related to bonuses
Expense Records
In order to help you take advantage of the correct deductions it’s helpful for you to bring in:
- Receipts
- Bills
- Bank Statements
- Credit card Statements
- Mortgage Interest & Property Tax Info
Records for Specific Deductions including:
Home Office Deduction– square footage of home & office space, mortgage/rent amounts, insurance & utilities, and amounts of any repairs to the home office space
Mileage Log– keeping a mileage log throughout the year to track business related travel and vehicle expenses is necessary so bring that along with any receipts related to car expenses
Travel- business travel, meals, and entertainment expenses can all be possible deductions but can also be a red flag to the IRS so bring receipts and any travel itineraries
Charitable Donations- bring statements or receipts related to your charitable donation
Business Filing Deadline
| Entity | Tax Form | Tax Deadline |
| Sole Proprietor / Single Member LLCs | Schedule C | April 15 |
| Partnerships / Multi-member LLCs | Form 1065 & Schedule K-1 | March 15 |
| Corporations / LLCs taxed as Corporations | Form 1120 | March 15* |
| S-Corps | Form 1120S & Schedule K-1 | March 15 |
| Nonprofit | Form 990 | May 15 |
*Corporations that end their year on December 31.
What our Clients are saying
Brian has been my CPA for the past three years. He is extremely knowledgeable, prompt, and goes above an beyond for all his clients. I now live in California, but have continued to work with Brian as he is simply the best. I am truly thankful for his personability and attention to detail as it has saved me time and stress, not to mention money. Without hesitation I would reccommend Brian and his partner Randy!
Rhiannon DickisonBrian and Randy run a top shelf operation. With keen attention to detail and keeping up on our ever changing tax laws they are able to serve their clients with expert level precision served with a smile.
Eli Clark ~ Focus1 Insurance Group Inc.