Tax season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about the documents you need to get ready.
Here are a few things to consider ahead of filing your 2018 tax return.
Find last year’s return
A quick way to find all of the important information you need to file your 2018 tax return is to dig up your 2017 tax return. For instance, you may need to reference your 2017 adjusted gross income or look back to see what you received as a state refund. Plus, your old return lists the personal information needed for any spouses or dependents.
You can also use it as a comparison tool to ensure you don’t overlook any details when you file your return this tax season.
Understand the IRS timeline
The IRS has not yet announced when it will start accepting tax returns in 2019. But they have made it clear that any people submitting returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit will not be issued refunds before mid-February. Delaying refunds gives the IRS a better chance at combating tax-related identity theft.
Double-check your ITIN
Certain taxpayers who don’t have a Social Security number are required to have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). It’s a number issued by the IRS, and those individuals are required to use it if they want to file a federal tax return.
ITINs expire on a schedule date and must be renewed prior to filing a return the following tax season. If you were assigned an ITIN, double check when yours expires to know if you need to renew it this year.
Tax Filing Preparation Checklist
To start preparing to file your return, use this checklist to gather the tax and finance documents you’ll need to make your filing time quick and efficient. Keep in mind, not all items listed will apply to your specific tax situation.
Personal Information
Social Security Numbers (SSN) or tax ID numbers
Dependent(s) Information
Child-care records, including the child-care provider’s tax ID number (if applicable) and the total fees paid to the provider or babysitter.
Form 8332 – (This is only applicable if you are not your child’s custodial parent.) This form proves the child’s custodial parent releases their right to claim the child as a dependent to you.
Income
Traditional Employment
Form W-2 – You’ll need this form for every traditional part-time or full-time position you held with a company during the year.
Form 1099-G – If you are unemployed or were at one point during the year, this form documents any unemployment compensation you received. You’ll also receive Form 1099-G if you received a state refund for the previous tax year
Self-Employed (contractor or freelancer)
Form 1099-MISC
Form 1099-K
Schedule K-1
Business expense records, including receipts and credit card statements
Estimated tax payment records (Check your Form 1040-ES!)
Workplace information (i.e., square footage of your home office, payment receipts if you rent a space outside of your home)
Business-use asset information for tracking depreciation
Rentals
Up-to-date income and expense records
Rental asset information for tracking depreciation
Estimated tax payment records
Retirement
Form 1099-R – This form reports any pension, IRA or annuity income.
Traditional IRA basis – (Compile the amount of money you contributed to an IRA that was already taxed.)
Form SSA-1099 – This form reports any social security benefits you received during the year.
Form RRB-1099 – If you work for the railroad, this form indicates the payments you received from the Railroad Retirement Board.
Form RRB-1099-R – This document reports the annuity or pension payments railroad workers received from the Railroad Retirement Board.
Form 5498-SA
Form 5498
Form 5498-QA
Form 5498-ESA
Savings
Form 1099-SA – If you use HSA funds during the year, this form reports the distributions you took.
Form 1099-LTC – This form is sent to you if you received any long-term care benefits.
Form 1099-INT
Form 1099-OID
Form 1099-DIV
Investments
Form 1099-B
Form 1099-S
All investment acquisition dates along with cost records or another cost basis of the property you sold
An up-to-date record of any expenses related to your investments
Record of estimated tax payments made to cover the tax bill on the income from those investments
Miscellaneous Income or Losses
Form W-2G
A detailed record of hobby income and expenses
Information on any prizes or awards you received during the tax year
Details on Trusts
Royalty income 1099-MISC
Records of any alimony paid or received (Make sure your ex-spouse’s name and SSN is included.)
Deductions
Form 1098
Real estate tax records
Personal property tax records
Receipts for energy-saving home improvements
Form 1098
Medical expense records
Charitable Donations
Records of any non-cash or cash donations made to charitable organizations
Record of miles driven while volunteering for a charity
Education
Form 1098-T
Receipts for educational expenses, like books and other supplies
Scholarship or fellowship records
Form 1098-E
State and Local Taxes
Record of the state and local income tax you paid throughout the year
Vehicle sales tax invoice, if applicable
Record of the amount of sales tax paid during the year
Disaster Relief
If you ever lived in a federally declared disaster relief area, you’ll need this information when filing your tax return:
Name of the city and county that you worked or owned property in that was declared a disaster area
Property loss records (i.e., appraisals, clean-up costs)
Detailed list of rebuilding costs
Paperwork that supports any insurance reimbursements or claims to be paid
FEMA assistance information