Tax Preparation - Gathering the Paperwork
Hiring someone to handle tax preparation can take a huge weight off someone's shoulders. In preparing for this appointment, be sure to gather all the right paperwork to bring along.
Overwhelming financial laws and codes make professional tax preparation a must for many individuals,
families, and businesses. Things change each and every year and it isn't always easy to keep up with the latest information and requirements. But handing off the responsibility to a professional does not mean that there is nothing left to be done. Before making an appointment, it is necessary to gather up all of the important paperwork and documentation to assist in the calculations. W-2s A W-2 shows how much money a person has made over the course of a year. It includes the taxes that were taken out of the paychecks, the amount of money paid for health insurance, and the amount put into retirement through a company program. This is a critical document when it comes to tax preparation. Employers must have these postmarked by January 31st and most envelopes include multiple copies of the form. If this is missing, it is time to make some phone calls and get a copy as quickly as possible. Other Forms of Income 1099 forms help a person keep track of other income he or she has received. Each document must be entered separately including income from self-employment, interest on current accounts, and dividends. As a rule, if it looks important and mentions any type of income received, save it and turn it in during the tax preparation process. Don't overlook handwritten documents that may need to be included. When you aren't sure, just include it. A professional will determine whether or not it is important. Expenses There are all types of expenses that are deductible for the average household. This includes things like mortgage interest, student loan interest, charitable donations, and in some cases, childcare expenses. Throughout the year, the goal is to save any and all documentation and turn it in when it is tax preparation time. If these documents or receipts are not available, it is important to do as much as possible to track down any documentation regarding the expenditures. While some things can still be claimed on taxes without proof, it leaves a person open to issues if he or she is audited in the future. Sometimes, if donations were not monetary, companies still give customers a receipt to show they dropped off clothing, housewares, or even a vehicle. If the company offers to provide a value to the donation, they will provide paperwork along with the receipt describing the value. On the other hand, sometimes, customers just get a receipt without any clarification. If possible, when items are dropped off, make a list to go along with the receipt. This will help a professional with tax preparation and charitable donations.