General Checklist
www.kathythetaxladyus.com
I will need you to bring the original documents plus a copy for me to keep. If you do not bring a hard copy, I will send you home, and you will reschedule at another time.
Many forget to bring the statements or try to pull these up on their computers right before the appointment with me. YOU NEED TO GO ON TO THE COMPUTER AHEAD OF TIME AND PRINT OUT A HARD COPY TO BRING TO ME.
Income:
____W2s (I DO NOT USE THE LAST PAY STUB!!!! but bring it anyway!)
____Social security cards for any new dependents!
____Bank Interest Income Statements
____Investment year-end statements (along with costs of stocks if stocks sold and investment expenses and IRA fees)
____Rental income and expenses (utilities, mileage log, repairs and maintenance, property taxes, INSURANCE, mortgage interest, advertising, cleaning, commissions, yard maintenance, management fees, supplies, etc.
____Statement for any unemployment received
____Year-end social security statement
____Business income and expenses (bank statements for all 12 months, mileage log including mileage back and forth to the bank and any other mileage used for business, advertising, web page, receipt for equipment purchased, business insurance, office rent, rental of machinery, legal fees, office expenses, repairs and maintenance, supplies, taxes, licenses, travel expenses to include car rentals air fare, and hotel; business meals and entertainment; utilities on business property, office-in-home expenses SEE BELOW FOR LIST, and any expenses that are ordinary and necessary for your business)
____Gambling winnings forms (to claim losses, you will need a statement showing how much you spent)
____ANY OTHER INCOME NOT LISTED ABOVE
____Home mortgage interest statement including home equity loans
____Property tax statement
____Charitable contributions including volunteer expenses
____Charitable miles (need a log)
____Closing statement on any property purchased and/or sold
____Receipt for any energy star or energy efficient items you put in your home
____Day care expenses to include name of daycare provider, tax identification number or social security number, address, and proof of amount paid.
____Medical expenses to include acupuncture, chiropractic, doctor co-pay, dentist, optometrist, prescription eye glasses, chiropractic, health insurance if it is not pre-tax, prescriptions-no vitamins or other health items unless they are prescribed.
____Casualty and Theft Losses (from natural disaster or theft)
____Automobile purchase statement including boats and RVs
____If you have state returns, you will need to bring a copy of both federal and state tax returns
____IRA and Roth contributions
____Educational expenses (to include tuition, books, fees, copy of internet bills for entire year if used for education, must be accredited school)
____Student loan interest statement-you will have to request a hard copy ahead of time
____Adoption expenses
____Moving expenses for job related moves only. This includes lodging, uhaul, storage, gas for uhaul, pre-trip moves. Need to see receipts!
____Tax return preparation fees. If you are a new client, you will need to bring the receipt. Existing clients-I have this one.
____Work related expenses including but not limited to: professional books and professional magazines, business conventions, computer expenses, cell phone expenses used for work, classes, continuing education, license fees, teacher expenses if teacher, tools used for work, dry cleaning of uniforms only, travel expenses while away on business to include airfare, rent-a-car, tolls, taxis; safety equipment used at work, if you use internet for work I need the bill for all 12 months, uniforms and work boots–must be uniform with company logo not regular street clothing
____Mileage log. I need a copy of the log. No log, no deduction. Job seeking mileage is deductible!
____Office in Home Expenses if you are self-employed and work out of your home or if your employer does not provide a desk or an office for you to include: mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, homeowners association. I will need the square footage of the room that is exclusive use for your occupation or business and the total square footage of your home.