Two years ago, we had our taxes done by a tax professional because I knew they were going to be complex. I had just gotten married, did some side work as a designer, we moved to a new house (which meant I would need to pay back my first-time homebuyer credit – or loan if you will), and we became landlords. I didn't think I could adequately file our return without cheating myself OR Uncle Sam.
A helpful thing that our tax pro did was to give us a checklist of things we'd need to gather for our first appointment together. It really got me organized and ensured I had what I needed.
For many years before, I had used the online tax program/software called TurboTax. I've had good success with it and generally would recommend it to anyone. You can file a simple federal return for free using their Federal Free Edition. The Home/Business Edition (which I typically bought), cost me between $75-90.
I got the following list off the TurboTax website – and I hope it helps you as you begin to prepare your 2012 taxes!
Information about your income
- Income from jobs: forms W-2 for you and your spouse
- Investment income – various forms 1099 (-INT, -DIV, -B, etc.), K-1s, stock option information
- Income from state and local income tax refunds and/or unemployment: forms 1099-G
- Alimony received
- Business or farming income – profit/loss statement, capital equipment information
- If you use your home for business – home size, office size, home expenses, office expenses.
- IRA/pension distributions – forms 1099-R, 8606
- Rental property income/expense – profit/Loss statement, rental property suspended loss information
- Social Security benefits – forms SSA-1099
- Income from sales of property – original cost and cost of improvements, escrow closing statement, cancelled debt information (form 1099-C)
- Prior year installment sale information – forms 6252, principal and Interest collected during the year, SSN and address of payer
- Other miscellaneous income – jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account (MSA), scholarships, etc.
Adjustments to your income
The following can help reduce the amount of your income that is taxed, which can increase your tax refund or lower the amount you owe.
- IRA contributions
- Energy credits
- Student loan interest
- Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions
- Moving expenses
- Self-employed health insurance payments
- Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE and other self-employed pension plans
- Alimony paid
- Educator expenses
Itemized tax deductions and credits
The government offers a number of deductions and credits to help lower the tax burden on individuals, which means more money in your pocket. You'll need the following documentation to make sure you get all the deductions and credits you deserve.
- Advance Child Tax Credit payment
- Child care costs – provider's name, address, tax id, and amount paid
- Education costs – forms 1098-T, education expenses
- Adoption costs – SSN of child, legal, medical, and transportation costs
- Home mortgage interest and points you paid – Forms 1098
- Investment interest expense
- Charitable donations – cash amounts and value of donated property, miles driven, and out-of-pocket expenses
- Casualty and theft losses – amount of damage, insurance reimbursements
- Other miscellaneous tax deductions – union dues, unreimbursed employee expenses (uniforms, supplies, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.)
- Medical and dental expenses
Taxes you've paid
Properly documenting the taxes you've already paid can keep you from overpaying.
- State and local income taxes paid
- Real estate taxes paid
- Personal property taxes – vehicle license fee based on value
Other information
- Estimated tax payment made during the year, prior year refund applied to current year, and any amount paid with an extension to file.
- Direct deposit information – routing and account numbers
- Foreign bank account information – location, name of bank, account number, peak value of account during the year
You can also download this checklist as a handy PDF. Oh – and if you decide to try out TurboTax – please click on that “TurboTax” link up above. We get a small percentage of the sale (if you purchase a priced edition). Thanks!
5 Comments
this is helpful …I wish there was a master list of possible write offs like for business expenses
Hm.. good suggestion
I love the detailed checklist. I need to get one of those. I am in Canada, or else I would have used yours.
:)