Tax Services for Individuals

Individual tax preparation and planning (form 1040)

Preparing your own income tax return can be a task that leaves you with more questions than answers.

According to a study released by the US Government’s General Accounting Office last year, most taxpayers (77% of 71 million taxpayers) believe they benefited from using a professional tax preparer.

Whether we like it or not, today’s tax laws are so complicated that filing a relatively simple return can be confusing. It is just too easy to overlook deductions and credits to which you are entitled. Even if you use a computer software program, there’s no substitute for the assistance of an experienced tax professional.

Tax Preparation Checklist

// STEP 1

Gather your documents.

Driver’s License and Social Security Card for all adults in your household.
W-2s for each job held for each person in the household, this form reports your name, wages, and other tax information to the IRS.
1099s showing other income (unemployment, social security, school loans, health care reimbursement, state tax refund, gambling winnings, contract work) that is reported to the IRS.
1098s showing payments you’ve made (school loans, property tax).
Income/interest statements received for any savings account/investments.
Bank account numbers: a voided check or your bank or credit union’s routing number and savings or checking account number for your refund to be deposited automatically into your account through direct deposit.
Last year’s tax return (if you have it).

// STEP 2

Collect information for everyone in your household.

Social Security cards all dependents (including children and elderly relatives for whom you provide care).
Date of birth and relationship (son, daughter, mother, etc.).
Current address (it may be different from the address on your employment records).

// STEP 3

Gather additional items to get a larger refund.

Childcare expenses: name, address, Tax ID or Social Security Number of the child care provider.
Business expenses and assets: if you’re self-employed or have a small business
College: loans and/or scholarships received, and bills for technical/community college or university (Forms 1098-T/1098-E).
Educator expenses for teaching grades K-12 (school supplies and materials used in the classroom).
Charitable donations: list of contributions and amounts, receipts for contributions over $250.
Vehicles: vehicle sales tax, personal property tax statement for each car you own, total miles driven for the year and/or total miles driven for business.
Homeowners: mortgage interest statement (Form 1098), real estate taxes paid.