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What To Bring For Your Tax Appointment

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

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.

With all of the changes every year (and, of course, that’s especially true THIS year), filing your taxes on your own is not for the faint of heart. That’s even with nice-looking software on the market which purport to make it easy for you.

But that’s what we’re here for.
Let us be your easy button in Palmdale.

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.

But again … we will be your guide. That’s what we’re here for.

Even if for some strange reason you won’t be using our cost-effective services this year, feel free to use this list as a handy guide…

Tax Preparation Checklist

Download Checklist

Employment & Income Data

W-2 forms from all employers. Includes regular wages, overtime pay, and tips reported to employer (boxes 1, 5, and 7)

Last pay stub or year-end pay summary (for breakdown of overtime vs. regular pay)

Daily tip record (IRS Form 4070A or similar) or credit card slips

Records of unreported tips (for Form 4137)

Allocated tips (box 8 of W-2)

Non-cash tips (fair market value of tickets, passes, or other items)

1099 Forms1099-NEC or 1099-MISC (independent contractor, side work)1099-K (third-party payments like PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, etc.)1099-INT (interest), 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-B (brokerage sales)1099-B: Brokerage Statements1099-R (pensions, IRA, retirement distributions)1099-G (unemployment or state refunds)1099-Q (529 plan distributions)1099-DA (digital asset/cryptocurrency transactions)SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)

K-1s from partnerships, S-corporations, or trusts

Records of cryptocurrency sales/trades

Form 3922 (transfer of stock options exercised)

Other income: jury duty pay, gambling winnings (W-2G), prizes, awards, or rental income, alimony received (including payer’s SSN) if divorce finalized prior to 1/1/2019

Health Insurance Information

All 1095-A Forms (Marketplace health insurance)

Records of credits and/or advance payments received from the Premium Tax Credit (if claiming)

Any corrected 1095-A (if received)

Form 1095-B (if provided by employer or insurance carrier)

Form 1095-C (employer-provided health insurance offer and coverage)

Homeowner/Renter Data

Residential address(es) for this year

Form 1098 (mortgage interest statement)

Records of any interest paid on home equity loans, lines of credit, or second mortgages

Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions)

Settlement or closing statement for any real estate purchased or sold during the year

Records of real estate and personal property taxes paid

Records of rent paid

Unreimbursed moving expenses (active-duty military only)

Financial Assets

Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID (interest income statements)

Form 1099-DIV (dividend income statements)

Form 1099-B (proceeds from broker transactions)

Form 1099-R (retirement plan distribution)

Schedule K-1 (partner’s share of income, deductions, credits)

Financial Liabilities

Auto loans and leases (account numbers and car value) if the vehicle is used for business

Form 1098-E (student loan interest paid)

Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed-time deposits

Form 1099-C (canceled debt or loan defaults)

Automobiles

Vehicle registration fees

Personal property tax information

Sales tax on purchase

Business use of vehicleTotal miles driven for the yearTotal business miles driven for the yearReceipts for all actual car expenses (gas, repairs, oil changes, insurance, etc.)

Expenses

Documentation for medical and dental expenses paid out-of-pocket

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)Form 1099-SA (for distributions to your account)Form 5498-SA (for contributions you made to your account)

Gifts to charity (receipts for single donations of $250+, and non-cash donations of $500+)

Childcare provider information (name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN or EIN))

Documentation for adoption expenses

Receipts for donations to charity

Unreimbursed expenses and mileage related to volunteer work

Alimony received or 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 (1099s, cash, or electronic payments)

Itemized receipts or documentation for business-related expenses

Business use of homeSquare footage of your home and the dedicated business-use portionHome-related expenses (utilities, rent or mortgage interest, insurance, etc.)

Date of purchase, cost, and description of large business assets (equipment, machinery, furniture)

Self-employment SEP plans, Simple IRA, Solo 4019(K)

Self-employed health insurance

K-1s on all pass-through entities

Rent income and expenses