The first question everyone asks is: What should I bring to my tax appointment? There is an extensive list below (which you should read to make sure you maximize your deductions) but the basics are:

1. Last year’s returns
2. Social Security Numbers and birth dates of both you and any dependents that you intend to claim
3. ALL of your W-2s, 1099s, and a list of any other earned income
4. A list of all your deductions

General Documents:

• Last year’s tax return (if not prepared by Four15)
• Social Security numbers and birth dates for children and other dependents

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
• 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

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
• Amount of interest paid on student loans
• Record of contributions to any IRA, college savings plan, or Health Savings Account
• Expenses for classroom supplies (for teachers only)
• 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
• Receipts, with the fair market value, of items donated to nonprofit organizations such as Goodwill or Salvation Army
• Job related expenses for which you were not reimbursed (freelance/1099-MISC ONLY)