Use the following detailed checklist to gather information for preparing your
income tax return. Not every category will apply to you. Just pick the ones that do apply and make sure you have
that information available.
BEFORE YOU START
Print out this checklist. We've provided check boxes for you to check as you collect
the information, and spaces for you to enter information such as Social Security numbers and cash amounts.
As you review this checklist, make note of information you will need for your return or to
remind yourself of something later.
Now you're ready to start gathering information. The checklists are
divided into categories so you can organize your information. As you receive or locate an item, check it off the list.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Social Security Numbers
[ ] You ___________________________________ [ ] Your spouse ____________________________ [
] Dependents, if any _______________________
Childcare Costs
[ ] Cancelled checks or invoices [ ] Provider's name ____________________________ [
] Provider's address ________________________________________________ [ ] Provider's tax ID or social security number ______________________________
Educational Costs
[ ] Tuition bills or cancelled checks for post-high school education
Adoption Costs
[ ] Social Security number or I.D. number of adopted child __________________ [
] Receipts or cancelled checks for:
[ ] Legal fees [ ] Transportation [ ] Other costs
INCOME INFORMATION
Income from Jobs
[ ] W-2 forms for all employers for whom you and your spouse worked.
Investment Income
[ ] Interest income - Form 1099-INT [ ] Dividend income - Form 1099-DIV [ ] Proceeds
from the sale of stocks, bonds, etc. - Form 1099-B [ ] Confirmation slips or brokers' statements for all stocks, etc. that
you sold. [ ] Schedule(s) K-1 (Form 1065) from investments in partnerships [ ] Income from foreign investments –
Amount of foreign taxes paid (you can find this on the brokers' statement) _____________________
[ ] Income from stock
option exercises and sales:
[ ] Stock option agreement (showing type of options you received) [ ] Stock option
statement showing exercise prices of options [ ] Form 1099-B for proceeds from stock sale
[ ] Sale of employee stock purchase plan shares:
[ ] Form 1099-B for proceeds from stock sale [ ] Stock price on grant date ______________ [
] Stock price on purchase date ___________ [ ] If stock sale occurred before qualifying period begins, Form W-2 showing
"compensation income" from a disqualifying disposition
Income from State and Local Income Tax Refunds
[ ] Form 1099-G from state or local governments [ ] State income tax return from
the previous year. [ ] City income tax return from the previous year, if any
Alimony
[ ] Bank statements or record of deposits
Business or Farming Income
[ ] Books/accounting records for your business, OR: [ ] Invoices or billings [
] Bank statements [ ] Cancelled checks for expenses [ ] Payroll records
In addition you need:
[ ] Invoices for major machinery, equipment, furniture, etc. purchases [ ] Logs
or other records listing vehicle mileage [ ] Inventory records, if your business maintains an inventory of goods or materials
If you Use your Home for Business
[ ] Square footage of your home office area _______________ [ ] Total square footage
of your home _____________________ [ ] Total rent paid, if home is rented _____________________ [ ] Mortgage interest
reported on Form 1098 _______________ [ ] Property tax payments from assessor's bill, cancelled checks, or impound records
________________ [ ] Homeowner's insurance premium payments _______________ [ ] Invoices for repairs and maintenance
on your house [ ] Utility bills
IRA/Pension Distributions
[ ] Form 1099-R for payments from IRA or retirement plans [ ] Account summary form
for the year for your IRA accounts, OR [ ] Deposit receipts and contribution records [ ] If you received a distribution
from an IRA account – The most-recently filed Form 8606, if you made contributions to IRAs that weren't deductible on
your return
Rental Property Income
[ ] Profit and loss statements from your property manager, OR [ ] Checkbook or cancelled
checks for expenses [ ] Form 1099-Misc or other records for rental income paid to you [ ] Mortgage interest reported
on Form 1098 [ ] Property tax payments from assessor's bill, cancelled checks, or impound records [ ] Record of suspended
rental losses from prior years (usually shown on last year's return)
Unemployment Income
[ ] Form 1099-G from your state unemployment agency, OR [ ] Unemployment check stubs
and deposit records
Social Security Benefits
[ ] Form SSA-1099
Income from Sales of Property
If the property was sold:
[ ] Sales proceeds - Bill of sale, closing statement
or other records [ ] Cost of the property you sold – Invoices, receipts, or cancelled checks [ ] Improvements
made to the property – Invoices or construction contracts and cancelled checks
If the property was sold at a
profit before this year on the installment basis:
[ ] Previous year's return – Form 6252, Installment Sales [
] Amount of principal collected on the installment note owed to you [ ] Amount of interest collected on the note [ ]
Name, address and social security number of the buyer
Miscellaneous Income
[ ] Jury duty pay records [ ] Form(s) W-2G for gambling and lottery winnings [
] Receipts for all gambling purchases [ ] Form 1099-MISC for prizes and awards you received [ ] Form 1099-MSA for distributions
from medical savings accounts [ ] Scholarship records (if you used the money for anything other than tuition, books, and
supplies) [ ] Director's fees receipts if you received money for serving on a corporate board of directors
ADJUSTMENTS
IRA Contributions
[ ] Year-end account summary or bank statements
Student Loan Interest
[ ] Form 1098-E showing interest paid, OR [ ] Loan statements
Medical Savings Account Contributions
[ ] Account statements OR [ ] Cancelled checks
Moving Expenses
[ ] Invoices from moving companies, OR [ ] Cancelled checks AND [ ] Paycheck
stub for moving expense reimbursements
Self-employed Health Insurance
[ ] Insurance premium bills, OR [ ] Cancelled checks
Keogh & SEP Pension Plans
[ ] Year-end account summary, OR [ ] Cancelled checks
Alimony
[ ] Cancelled checks
Educator Expenses
[ ] Cancelled checks for expenses paid for classroom supplies, etc.
ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS
Medical and Dental Expenses
[ ] Medical bills or cancelled checks [ ] Form SSA-1099 for Medicare premiums paid
from your social security benefits [ ] Year-end pay stub if premiums were paid through your wages (only if the deductions
were after-tax) [ ] Mileage records for trips to the doctor, clinics, etc.
Taxes State and local income taxes:
[ ] Last year's state income tax return [ ] W-2s [ ] Cancelled checks for state
estimates paid
Real estate taxes:
[ ] Tax collector bills or cancelled checks [ ] Form 1098 or closing statement
if you bought, sold, or refinanced property in the current year
Personal property taxes:
[ ] Tax bills or cancelled
checks [ ] Automobile licensing bills, if fees are charged annually based on value
Interest You Paid Home mortgage interest:
[ ] Form 1098, OR [ ] Your mortgage statement or bill for January
Points:
[ ] Form 1098 if you purchased a home
[ ] Your last year tax return if you refinanced in prior year
Interest paid on investment
loans:
[ ] Brokers' statements showing margin interest paid [ ] Loan statements for loans taken out to purchase
investments
Charitable Donations Cash donations:
[ ] Charity bills, receipts, or cancelled checks [ ] Records of the mileage incurred
for charitable purposes (Scouts, etc.)
Donations of Property:
[ ] Receipts from charitable agency [ ] Estimated
value of property given _____________ [ ] Appraisal fees for expensive donations ____________
Other charitable donations:
[ ] Prior years' tax returns if you have unused charitable contributions (carryovers) from earlier years [ ] Year-end
paycheck stub if donations were paid through your wages
Casualty and Theft Losses
[ ] Description of property damaged or stolen [ ] Receipts or cancelled checks showing
cost of property [ ] Insurance policy and insurance reports showing reimbursement [ ] Appraisal fees if applicable _______________
Job Expenses
[ ] Reimbursement check stubs or reports from your employer [ ] Job travel information:
[ ] Invoices, receipts, or ticket stubs for transportation [ ] Mileage records per
vehicle used [ ] Hotel bills [ ] Restaurant tickets showing name and address of establishment [ ] Parking fee receipts
[ ] Union dues – Paycheck stub for automatic withdrawals [ ] Gifts to clients, etc. –
Receipts showing date, cost, description [ ] Supplies – Receipts or bills [ ] Property purchased for use in your
work – Invoices, receipts [ ] Uniform and special clothing costs – Bills or paycheck stubs showing deductions [
] Seminar fees – Receipts or invoices [ ] Professional publications and books – Receipts or invoices [ ]
Receipts for small tools and supplies you purchased [ ] Job search expenses:
[ ] Tuition, fee, and book receipts for education that maintains or improves your present
skills [ ] Transportation receipts [ ] Lodging receipts if you take classes away from home
Other Miscellaneous Deductions
[ ] Tax return preparation fees – Invoices or cancelled checks [ ] Cost of
tax return preparation software and books – Receipts or cancelled checks [ ] Safe deposit box rental fees from bank
invoice or statement _______ [ ] IRA custodial fees (if paid from a non-IRA account) ________ [ ] Payroll records for
office workers managing your investments [ ] Investment advice costs: invoices or bills
INFORMATION ON HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEES
[ ] Wages paid ________________ [ ] Employee's social security number ________________
TAX PAYMENTS
[ ] Quarterly estimated tax payments – Records showing the date paid and amount [
] If you applied a tax overpayment from the previous year – your 2001 income tax return [ ] If you filed for an extension
for last tax return – Cancelled checks for payments you made with the extension
DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION
If you want your refund deposited directly into your bank account, you need your:
[ ] Routing number from the lower left side of one of your checks (usually the first
nine digits): ________________________ [ ] Bank account number from the bottom of check or on bank statement: _______________________
