Required documents to keep on file:
- State IDs or Driver’s Licenses: Copies of these documents.
- Social Security Cards.
- Proof of Residence: For dependents claiming Earned Income Credit (EIC).
Income documents:
- Investment Income: Various forms 1099 (-INT, -DIV, -B, etc.), K-1s, stock option information.
- Income from Jobs: Forms W-2 for yourself and your spouse.
- Business or Farming Income: Profit/loss statement, details about capital equipment.
- Rental Property Income/Expense: Profit/loss statement, information on rental property suspended loss.
- Income from State and Local Tax Refunds/Unemployment: Forms 1099-G.
- Social Security Benefits: Forms SSA-1099.
- Taxable Alimony Received.
- IRA/Pension Distributions: Forms 1099-R, 8606.
- Income from Sales of Property: Original cost, cost of improvements, escrow closing statement, cancelled debt information (form 1099-C).
- Home Business Expenses: If you use your home for business – home size, office size, home expenses, office expenses.
- Other Miscellaneous Income: Jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account (MSA), scholarships, etc.
- Prior Year Installment Sale Information: Forms 6252, principal and interest collected during the year, SSN and address of payer.
Checking Tax Refund Status:
Inquiring About Tax Refunds? For updates and information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov. To check your refund status, use the ‘Get Refund Status’ feature available on the IRS site. For direct inquiries, you can call the IRS at (800) 829-1040.
Other tax documents:
- IRA Contributions.
- Student Loan Interest.
- Energy Credits.
- Medical Savings Account (MSA) Contributions.
- Self-employed Health Insurance Payments.
- Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and Other Self-employed Pension Plans.
- Alimony Paid (if tax-deductible).
- Educator Expenses.
- State and Local Income Taxes Paid.
- Real Estate Taxes Paid.
- Personal Property Taxes: Vehicle license fee based on value.
- Estimated Tax Payments 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.
- Moving Expenses (for tax years prior to 2018 only).
Tax deduction documents:
- Advance Child Tax Credit Payment: Letter 6419, Advance Child Tax Credit Reconciliation.
- Economic Impact Payment Information: If you received ‘Your Third Economic Impact Payment’, Letter 6475.
- 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 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.
- Miscellaneous Tax Deductions: Union dues, unreimbursed employee expenses (uniforms, supplies, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.) (for tax years prior to 2018 only).
- Medical and Dental Expenses.