What to Bring to a Tax Appointment

The Starting Point:

  • Last year’s tax return (if not prepared by our office)
  • Social Security numbers and birthdates for children and other dependents
  • Driver’s License or State Issued Photo ID

Income Documents:

  • All W-2s from employers
  • Any statements for miscellaneous income from odd jobs, contracts, etc.
  • All interest statements from banks (Form 1099-INT)
  • Dividend statements from investment companies (Form 1099-DIV)
  • Statements of any unemployment insurance received (Form 1099-G)
  • Statements of your last year’s state tax refund if you received one
  • Any Schedule K-1 received from a partnership, an estate, or S-corporation
  • Gambling winnings/losses
  • Alimony amounts received/paid
  • Social Security statements
  • Transaction statements for stocks/bonds you sold during the year (Form 1099-B)
    • The purchase price and date of purchase for any stocks you sold during the year
  • Information about any other income you received during the year

Business Records- If you operate a small business or rental properties:

  • A copy of last year’s business return (if not prepared by our office)
  • An income and expenses  (profit & loss) statement with all expenses categorized
  • A list of all business assets including cost and date purchased
  • A written record of miles driven for business
  • Business-use percentage for assets also used for personal purposes, i.e. 75% for business
  • Subcontractor names, addresses, SSN and amounts paid
  • Amount paid for health insurance premiums
  • If you have an office in your home
    • Square-footage of your home and square-footage of your office
    • Amounts paid for home utilities, insurance, repairs, and improvements
    • Purchase date and cost of your home

Deductions:

  • Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)
  • Real estate taxes paid
  • Mortgage points paid on a new home, paid by the seller, or on a refinance
  • The amount you paid for state taxes last year (if you owed state taxes last year)
  • Irrigation tax if you do not have access to the water
  • Amount of interest paid on student loans
  • Record of contributions to any IRA, college savings plan, or Health Savings Account
  • Alimony paid
  • Medical expenses – insurance, physicians, hospitals, prescriptions, co-pays, eye exams/glasses
    • Home improvements done for medical reasons
    • Mileage driven for medical appointments
    • Nursing home expenses where medical treatment is main reason for living at that home
  • Cash contributions to churches and qualified nonprofit organizations
    • A list, with the fair market value, of items donated to nonprofit organizations
    • Mileage driven for charitable purposes, i.e. driving for church camp

Other Items:

  • Closing papers for real estate you bought, sold, or refinanced during the year
  • Name, address, and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for child care providers along with amount paid
  • Amounts paid for college tuition for yourself or your dependents

Date of Appointment: __________   Time: ________   Accountant:  ___________________

EXAMPLES

Example 1.  Business Income & Expenses Summary

Sales $ 65,000
Materials Purchased $ 22,000
Contractors Paid 600
Storage 25
Equipment Fuel 125
Cell Phone 1,200
Total Expenses $ 23,840
Net Profit $ 41,160

Example 2.  Business Assets

Item Date Purchased Cost Business Use %
Computer 1/5/06 $ 2,200 33%
Software 1/6/06 $ 12,450 100%

Example 3.  Mileage Log

Starting Odometer: 26,520
Date Destination Miles Purpose
1/5/06 Office Store 6 Office Supplies
1/5/06 Thompson’s Res.- Kuna 44 Site Survey
1/8/06 Blueprints R Us 15 Pick-up Documents-Markos
1/12/06 Wilson, Harris & Co 12 Payroll Reports