Tax Return Checklist: Get Ready to File

Taxes are difficult enough, preparing them shouldn't be. We at eFile.com strive to get rid of the Tax Mumbo Jumbo for you as much as possible. We strongly suggest that you prepare to prepare your income tax returns. Too many taxpayers rush into this to get their refunds, only to realize later that they missed a W-2 or 1099, meaning they are forced to prepare and file a tax amendment.

Step 1: Collect Your Forms. Before you start preparing your return on eFile.com, use this page as a reference to collect the forms, receipts, documents, and statements necessary to prepare and e-file your taxes. You can also download or print this page and check each item off as you collect your information. If you miss an important form on your tax return, such as an income or deduction form, you will have to prepare a tax amendment. In order to avoid the hassles of a tax amendment, we at eFile.com strongly recommend your start preparing your taxes, but we strongly recommend you DO NOT e-file your taxes before February 1. Why? Employers, brokers, etc. are required to get all forms (W-2, 1099 etc.) to you before February 1. Filing without a form in early January and later receiving one would mean you would have to file a tax amendment. If an employer(s) do not provide you your W-2 forms or the issuer(s) of a 1099 Form does not mail them to you on time, contact them and request it. Here are tips on what do do if you do not get a W-2 on time.

Step 2: Estimate and Understand Your Taxes. View these important pre-eFile considerations; taxstimate your taxes, use simple tax tools, and understand what your tax refund could be or if you may owe taxes.

Step 3: Use Tax Software and eFileIT. Once you have gathered your forms and have a fair understanding of what your taxes may be, sign up for a free eFile.com account. The eFile Tax App will do the complicated math and gather all the tax forms for you as you enter information and answer questions. Use the tax statement forms below to report all your income and other information and let us do the hard work for you. See how the eFile platform works and compare eFile to other popular tax preparation platforms.

With eFile, you can file your individual income tax return, including all your income from wages or employment, your small business, retirement, stocks and investments, and other income.

List of Tax Preparation Forms, Documents

Use the checklist below to gather your documents and other forms that you will need to file your taxes. Not all items may apply; keep track of your forms and store copies for your records once you have e-filed your return. See an overview of taxable income and non-taxable income to see various types of income and whether or not they are taxed.

Taxable Income Forms, Documents

• ___ Most Common Income, Deduction Forms
• ___ W-2 Form(s) for Wages, Salaries, and Tips
• ___ Interest Income Statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID
• ___ Dividend Income Statements: Form 1099-DIV
• ___ Sales of Stock, Land, etc. for Capital Gains: Form 1099-B
• ___ Sales of Real Estate: Form 1099-S
• ___ State Tax Refunds: Form 1099-G
• ___ Alimony received or paid
• ___ Unemployment Compensation Received: Form 1099-G
• ___ Nonemployment Compensation: Form 1099-NEC
• ___ Miscellaneous Income: Form 1099-MISC
• ___ Retirement Income: Form 1099-R
• ___ Social Security Income and Railroad Retirement Income: Form SSA-1099
• ___ Business Income and Expenses
• ___ Rental Income and Expenses
• ___ Farm Income and Expenses
• ___ Form K-1 Income from Partnerships, Trusts, and S-Corporations
• ___ Tax Deductible Miles Traveled for Business Purposes

Tax Credits

• ___ Child Tax Credit - Dependent Name, SSN, and Other Information
• ___ Child Care Provider Address, I.D. Number and Amounts Paid for the Child and Dependent Care Credit
• ___ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - Income Information
• ___ Adoption Expense Information for the Adoption Tax Credit
• ___ Foreign Taxes paid
• ___ First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Tax Deductions, Expenses

• ___ Medical Expenses for the Family
• ___ Medical, Health Insurance Paid (1095-A)
• ___ Self-employed Business Expenses
• ___ Prescription Medicines and Drugs
• ___ Doctor and Dentist Payments
• ___ Hospital and Nurse Payments
• ___ Tax Deductible Miles Traveled for Medical Purposes
• ___ Home Mortgage Interest from Form 1098
• ___ Home Second Mortgage Interest Paid
• ___ Real Estate Taxes Paid
• ___ State Taxes Paid with Last Year's Return (if claiming itemized deductions)
• ___ Personal Property Taxes Paid
• ___ Charitable Cash Contributions
• ___ Fair Market Value of Non-cash Contributions to Charities
• ___ Unreimbursed Expenses Related to Volunteer Work
• ___ Tax Deductible Mileage for Volunteer Purposes
• ___ Casualty and Theft Losses
• ___ Amount Paid to Professional Preparer Last Year
• ___ Miles Traveled Related to Your Job
• ___ Investment Expenses
• ___ IRA Contributions
• ___ HSA, FSA Contributions
• ___ Student Loan Interest Paid from Form 1098-E
• ___ Moving Expenses (If Applicable)
• ___ Last Year's Tax Return Preparation Fee

Tax Estimate Payments

• ___ Estimated Tax Payments Made with ES Vouchers or Online
• ___ Last Year's Tax Return Over-Payment Applied to This Year
• ___ Off Highway Fuel Taxes Paid

General Information

• ___ Copy of Last Year's Tax Return
• ___ Social Security Numbers for You and Your Spouse
• ___ Educational Expenses for You and Your Spouse
• ___ Dependents' Names, Years of Birth, and Social Security Numbers
• ___ Dependents' Post High School Educational Expenses
• ___ Child Care Expenses for Each Dependent
• ___ Prior Year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) - How to Find Last Year's AGI
• ___ Routing Transmit Number (RTN) and Bank Account Number (BAN) for Direct Deposit/Debit

Follow this page and you will be better prepared to support your online tax return in case of a future federal or state tax audit. Visit our Tax Return Planning Page and review our list of stupid and smart things taxpayers do when completing tax returns.

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