• If you are a new client, a copy of your 2016 tax return
• Any notices and correspondence you received from the IRS, state or local tax authority
• If you are a new client, I will need to make a copy of your social security card, and driver’s license
• If you are a new client, I will need social security numbers and birth dates for you and your dependents
• If you had a new baby, I will need a copy of the social security card
• Physical address (especially if you moved), telephone number and email address

INCOME

• All 2017 W2s received for you and your spouse if you are filing jointly
• Form 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B (all pages), 1099-S
• K1s from partnerships, S corps, trusts
• Statements of distributions from retirement accounts (Form 1099-R)
• Statements of income from Social Security (Form 1099-SSA)
• Any Cancellation of Debt reported on 1099-C or 1099-A
• Records of other income which could include: unemployment, state tax refunds, gambling income & losses, spousal support/alimony received, jury duty, hobby income/expenses, prizes and awards
• Closing documents (the final HUD settlement statement) on any real estate transaction you had during 2017

DEDUCTIONS

• Any spousal support/alimony you PAID in 2017, including the social security number of the recipient
• Health Savings Account contributions and distributions, Form 1099-HSA and 5498-HSA
• Traditional IRA or Roth IRA contributions/year-end values reported on Form 5498 or December 2017 statement
• Moving expenses (costs including moving/storage for yourself and your belongings) if you moved more than 50 miles for business during the year (even if you were reimbursed).
• Health insurance information: did you purchase in the market place, employer provided, did you have health coverage all year? Please provide Form 1095-a, 1095-b, or 1095-c you received. You may need to login to your Healthcare.gov to download your 1095.
• Colleges attended, tuition, books/supplies/equipment, fees paid and Form 1098-T for all members of the family
• Student loan interest paid and Form 1098-E
• Details of estimated tax payments paid to IRS and state taxation authorities

BUSINESS, RENTAL AND FARM INCOME

• A copy of QuickBooks if you use this software to keep your business bookkeeping
• All income/expenses if you use some other method of bookkeeping (Balance Sheet, Income Statement and General Ledger or Excel)
• Copies of 2017 business bank statements if you have not reconciled your checking account
• Any 1099-MISC and 1099-K received for your business
• Records of all major purchases of $500 or greater for machinery, equipment, and furniture. Include date of purchase and item description
• Inventory records (beginning and ending inventory) and purchases
• Mileage logs for 2017. Include both total business and total miles you drove between January 2017 and December 2017

ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

• Medical expenses including co-pays, prescriptions, dentists, eye doctors, hospital, medical mileage
• Health insurance if paid out of pocket
• Long term care insurance premiums
• Mortgage interest paid Form 1098
• Real estate taxes if not included on Form 1098
• Personal property taxes
• State and local income taxes paid in addition to amounts withheld on pay checks
• Investment interest expenses including margin account interest and interest on investment property
• Total cash contributions to charitable organizations
• Records of non-cash charitable contributions including date and value of donated property
• Total volunteer miles driven in 2017
• Details of casualty theft or loss
• Union dues, job hunting expenses, unreimbursed employee expenses including travel, supplies, equipment, professional association dues, and non-commuting business miles
• Tax preparation fees, safe deposit box fees, investment advisor fees

CREDITS

• Dependent care expenses including amount paid, provider’s name, address, telephone and tax id number
• Adoption expenses if you adopted or finalized an adoption in 2017
• Residential energy credits including costs for solar panels, geo-thermal and other energy efficient improvements like windows and doors
• If you received a First Time Homebuyers Credit in prior years, please make sure I have records of the original purchase and any correspondence from the IRS regarding the credit
• If you qualify for the Earned Income Credit, I will need a copy of your children’s report card (other documents are acceptable also) as part of the documentation requirements. Additional documentation may be required if you also have a Schedule C business

I will also need the following signed documents:

• Engagement letter for personal tax return Download link to document titled Engagement Letter_2017
• Client consent and privacy policy Download link to document titled Client Consent_2017
• If applicable, Engagement letter for business tax return Download link to Engagement letter_2017_business

Additional resources that may help you:
The Fair Market Value Guide for donations Download link to document with same name.
Rental Property Worksheet Download link to same