Resources
Tax Organizer: Records to Gather for Your Income Tax Return
A complete set of records leads to a smoother preparation process and fewer follow-up questions. Check off what applies to you, and skip what does not.
Gather these, but keep them with you for now. Please do not send tax documents or Social Security numbers through the website form or email. After a consultation, we will explain how to share them securely. Read more.
About you and your household
- A copy of your most recent federal and state tax returns
- Legal names, birth dates and Social Security or taxpayer ID numbers for everyone on the return
- Your current mailing address and any move during the year
- Childcare provider’s name, address and tax ID, if you paid for care
- Bank routing and account numbers for a direct deposit or payment
- Any letters from the IRS or the Georgia Department of Revenue
Income
- W-2 forms from each employer
- 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC or 1099-K forms for contract work or online sales
- Your own totals of self-employment income, including cash and tips
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV forms for interest and dividends
- 1099-B forms for sales of stocks or other securities
- 1099-R and SSA-1099 forms for pension, annuity or Social Security payments
- 1099-G forms for unemployment pay or state tax refunds
- Schedule K-1 forms from partnerships, S corporations, trusts or estates
- Rent collected and related expenses, if you rent out property
- Alimony received under older divorce agreements
- Gambling winnings, prizes and bonuses
- Income from sources outside the United States
Deductions and credits
- Amounts paid for childcare, along with who cared for each child
- Form 1098-T and receipts for tuition and required course materials
- Form 1098-E for student loan interest
- Medical and dental expenses you paid yourself
- Form 1095-A, if you bought coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace
- Form 1098 showing interest paid on a home loan
- Property tax bills for your home and vehicles
- Receipts for cash and non-cash charitable gifts
- Estimated tax payments you made, with amounts and dates
- IRA contribution records
- Receipts for energy improvements made to your home
- Gambling losses, if you are reporting winnings
If you are self-employed
- A profit and loss summary or your bookkeeping reports
- Business mileage log and vehicle expenses
- Receipts for supplies, software, equipment and professional services
- Home office measurements and related bills, if you may claim one
An official IRS tool
Thinking about your withholding?
If a recent refund or balance due surprised you, the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can show whether the amount taken from your paycheck still fits. It is especially useful after a new job, a second income or a change in your family.
Keep a recent pay stub and your last return nearby when you use it, since the estimate depends on the figures you enter.
Book a Consultation
Let’s talk about what comes next
Request a consultation online, or give us a call. We will listen first, then help you decide on sensible next steps.