Tax Preparation Checklist


Richardson & Associates believes in helping you in the best way, always!

  • You may use this checklist as a guide as you gather your documents for filing.
  • Don't panic if you do not have everything on this list; you are not alone. Most people will not have everything on the tax prep list.
  • Click on any title or "+" to view the documents list.

  • Personal Income

    • W-2 forms
    • Gambling and lottery winnings (Forms W-2G)
    • Unemployment compensation (Form 1099-G)
    • Pensions and annuities (Forms 1099-R)
    • Retirement plan distribution (Form 1099-R)
    • Social Security/RR1 benefits (Forms SSA-1099; RRB-1099)
    • State and local income tax refunds (Form 1099-G)
    • Interest income statements (Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID)
    • Dividend income statements (Form 1099-DIV)
    • Proceeds from broker transactions (Form 1099-B)
    • Miscellaneous income, including rent (Form 1099-MISC)
    • Partnership, S Corporation, & trust income (Schedules K-1)
    • Alimony received  (divorced before 2019)
    • Jury duty pay
    • Prizes and awards
    • Scholarships and fellowships

  • Housing and Rental Expenses

    • Mortgage interest (Form 1098)
    • Real estate taxes paid
    • Sale of your home/real estate (Form 1099-S)
    • Purchase of home / real estatee (closing statement)

  • Charitable Contributions

    • Gifts to charity- cash and noncash (qualified written statement from charity for any single donations in excess of $250)
    • Non-reimbursed expenses related to volunteer work
    • Examples: church, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, etc.

  • Personal Information

    • Social Security Numbers of all dependents
    • Childcare provider information including name, address, and tax identification number or social security number
    • Any alimony paid and the social security number of former spouse (if divorced befor 2019)

  • Personal & Employment Expenditures

    • Child care expenses
    • Records to document medical expenses
    • Non-reimbursed expenses related to your job (travel expenses, uniforms, union dues, subscriptions)
    • Job-related education expenses
    • Job-hunting expenses
    • Student loan interest paid
    • Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other time deposits
    • IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions (for self and/or employees)
    • Investment expenses
    • Tax return preparation expenses and fees paid in prior year
    • Federal, state & local estimated income tax paid for current year (estimated tax vouchers, cancelled checks & personal payment records)
    • Records to document casualty or theft losses
    • Health Savings Accounts
    • Sales tax information on large purchases, such as automobile, boat, etc.
    • Alimony paid (divorced before 2019)
    • Adoption expenses

  • Business/Self-Employed Information

    • Business income (Form 1099-MISC and/or personal records)
    • Business-related expenses (receipts, other documents & personal records)
    • Rent paid during tax year
    • Employment taxes & other business taxes paid for current year (personal records)
    • Auto loans and leases if vehicle used for business - account numbers and car values
    • Partnership SE income (Schedule K-1)
    • Farm-related expenses (receipts, other documents & personal records)
    • Federal, state & local estimated income tax paid for current year (estimated tax vouchers, cancelled checks & personal payment records)
    • IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions (for self and/or employees)