What you should have in your Shoe Box!

Use this handy checklist to help ensure your tax preparer will have all the documents needed to complete your tax return accurately and quickly. You should also visit our updated Online Tax Guide for more information.

Personal Data

Social Security Numbers (including spouse and children)
Child care provider tax I.D. or Social Security Number and Address

Income Data

W-2 forms
Pensions and annuities
Partnership and trust income
Alimony received
Jury Duty Pay
State and local income tax refund
Scholarships and fellowships
Prizes and awards
Gambling and lottery winnings

Financial Assets and Liabilities

Interest income statements (form 1099-INT & 1099-OID)
Dividend Income statements (form 1099-DN)
Tax Refunds and unemployment compensation (form 1099-G)
Proceeds from broker transactions (form 1099-B)
Miscellaneous income (form 1099-MISC)
Retirement plan distribution (form 1099-R)
Student loan interest paid
Early withdrawal penalties on CD’s

Home and Rental Property Data

Mortgage interest (form 1098)
Home equity loan interest
Real estate taxes paid
Sale of your home or other real estate (form 1099-S)
Rental property income
Rental property expenses

Self-Employment Data

K-1’s on all partnerships
Receipts and documentation for all business related expenses
Farm Income
Auto mileage log
Home office square footage

Expense Documentation

Charitable donations
Unreimbursed business of volunteer work expenses
Child care expenses
Alimony paid
Tax Return preparation fees
Investment expenses
Education expenses
Job-hunting expenses
Adoption expenses
Moving expenses
Medical expenses

Deductions

IRA, SEP, SIMPLE and other retirement plan contributions
Casualty and theft losses
Medical savings accounts
Energy Credit Expenditures

Year-end Items Needed for Tax Return Preparation
Business or Schedule C Filers

Accountants Review Copy of your QuickBooks File (or your manual check registers and records if not using QuickBooks)
Year-end Bank Statements for all open accounts, reconciled to books
Year-end credit card statements for all open accounts, reconciled to books
Year-end Loan Statements for all loans outstanding during year
Last Four Quarterly Sales Tax Returns filed (or last one if Annual filer)


If you have Payroll:

941’s and NYS-45’s for all Four Quarters
940
W-3
Any notices received

Invoices for any large assets purchased
All year end tax documents (1099’s etc.)
Any IRS or State notices received. Auto Mileage (if applicable):

Description of each vehicle used (Make & Year)
Total Mileage for the year (all miles including personal)
Number of miles that are Business Miles for the year.

Total Sq. footage of home
Sq. footage of space dedicated to office use only
Mortgage Interest and Taxes (or Rent) paid for the year
Utilities (not including phone)
Repairs and maintenance
Trash service
Insurance