We’d agree that filling your tax returns could sometimes take a day or two off your busy weekly schedule. Of course, it makes sense that you make the most of this day or days to avoid rescheduling. Yes, the e-filling process requires submitting several documents that we (the public) find too demanding. However, these documents are mandatory for the proper processing of your tax paper works.

This checklist provides you with a detailed read on the forms and documents needed to process your tax. You wouldn’t want to have to reschedule a tax appointment! No one does actually! So, these tips will help!

#Check I: Personal Information

Personal information and documents that could verify its authenticity should be the first on your checklist. For proper processing, all taxpayers would need to make their Tax Identification Numbers available during a tax appointment. Ensure you note the following documents on your checklist and have them checked before heading to your tax appointment;

  • Your Tax ID No. or social security no. if you have one assigned to you
  • The full name and SSN of your spouse

#Check II: Information of Dependent(s)

As a guardian or parent reviewing your tax documents, ensure you do not omit the dependent information. Internal revenue offices will request for these pieces of information from parents and caregivers. The dependents information documents include;

  • Dates of birth of the children in care. Social security numbers and TIN if already provided one
  • Detailed information of Childcare- with the issuer’s identification number inclusive, if requested.
  • Income and employer’s information of other adults present in the home

Form 8332. This document is the legal proof of the transfer of rights from a custodial guardian to a non-custodial parent. Please make this documentation available if applicable by the tax returns.

#Check III: Sources of Income

The forms in this category will not be requested for annually However, it wouldn’t hurt to have them filled up, since they don’t weigh that much. Moreover, just the investment forms needed to file if a taxpayer has their distributions may be requested. Let’s check through these forms to validate your sources of income;

  • Employed: All employed citizens will present his/her W-2 form for employment verification and further taxation processing.
  • Unemployed: All unemployed citizens are will have to come with their state tax refund (1099-G) forms filled.
  • Self-Employed: Since a large percentage of self-employed citizens do not have their businesses registered, there’s an alternative for these business registration documents. Self-Employed citizens can provide forms 1099, income records, and Schedules K-1 forms. Include expenses records, receipts, credit card statements, business-use asset information, and Form 1040-ES if applicable
  • Rental Income: This includes records of rental for office space, stores, or warehouses, including assets for proper depreciation statistics. The asset information should include location in service, immediate market cost, and date issued. Also, you must get the paperwork for the overall tax payment in order.
  • Retirement Income: You are also required to present the Pension income (1099-R) form. Citizens on the Traditional IRA should also attach a document that shows the total contributions paid to the IRA. Lastly, the RRB income (RRB-1099) and (1099-SSA) will be required to validate retirement income.
  • Savings, Dividends & Investments: Your dividend income should be filled out in the 1099-DIV form, while the interest gotten on every savings should fill in 1099-INT. Every income generated from the revenue of stocks and other assets will be documented on 1099-S and 1099-B. The details of your health care savings will be placed on the 1099-LTC and 1099-SA form. Also, you will include transactions relating to cryptocurrency if applicable.

The authenticity of these documents is paramount to the federation, and illegal tendering or forged documentation could attract punishable consequences. Ensure your employer has his/her business registered before approving or signing your W-2 form.

So Much to Remember? Let’s Help Make It Easier

Putting this documentation to memory can be a lot. How about we help you create a checklist covering all the documents without memorizing so many tax terms? Let’s go.

  1. Put together and assigned all pieces of financial information you can lay your hands on. When preparing for taxes, ensure you have a copy of all financial records in your possession. You might want to include a sub-section in your checklist for each form type’s details to ensure you don’t skip any out. Once you’d sort of the documents needed, take out the additional ones and move to the next.
  2. After taking out the essential documents, file them as you cross-check every piece with the checklist created earlier.
  3. All self-employed taxpayers will be requested to provide reports of their previous transactions of the tax year. Ensure you have these documents ready as you file the other documents. For simplicity’s sake, you might want to try out accounting software for better recording. When using this, be sure you have both the printed and e-file of your accounts and recordings before heading to the tax appointment.
  4. Locate and skim through your end-bank statements to ensure all financial activities and transactions are complete and documented. Having all of these checked would most likely cover the financial documents mentioned in the checklist above.
  5. As you look through the report and bank statements, you’d have to draft out your tax return or include reminders of certain documents needed to eventually complete the taxation process.

Conclusion

This checklist should guide you through the necessary documents needed for your next tax appointment. If you wouldn’t want to bother with the details, you can enlist a tax expert to guide you through the process. So, make your checklist today, and get your tax returns with ease!