How To Prepare For Your Tax Appointment

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

With just a little over one month left to file your taxes, it's critical that you make an appointment with your tax preparer as soon as possible - the longer you wait, the more likely it will be that their schedule will be completely booked. But, whether you've made your appointment yet or not, one thing you need to know is how to prepare. Below, we've put together a checklist for you to use as you get all of your documentation and information ready:

1. Personal Information: All stuff you probably already know without looking, make sure you are prepared to offer information such as your social security number and your spouse's name and social security number if applicable. At the same time, you should also know the personal information belonging to anyone else who may make an appearance on your tax return, such as birthdays, social security numbers, and approximate income.
2. Employee Information: The W-2 form you received from your employer is one of the most important documents you need to complete your return! If, however, you are self-employed, you'll need to bring information about your business expenses, home-office expenses (if this applies), as well as a 1099 form. 
3. Education Information: If you're currently paying back student loans, you should have access to information about the interest you've paid over the past year - be sure to bring this with you! You should also be prepared to hand over any bills or documentation that shows how much you paid yourself or through loans compared to what was paid for through the use of scholarships or other forms of financial aid.
4. Health Care Information: Be prepared to share information about your health coverage from the previous  year. If you enrolled in an insurance plan through the Marketplace, you'll need form 1095-A. On the other hand, if your coverage came from a source such as your employer or government health plan, you'll need forms 1095 B and C.
5. Retirement Information: For those of you who are eligible to contribute to retirement plans, prepare the records that show how much you've contributed thus far. Additionally, if you have already retired and are currently receiving income from sources such as Social Security, you'll need proof of that income as well. 

Last but not least, don't forget about any other sources of income you may receive, such as any monetary gain from investments, other savings accounts, or even what you may have received if you sold property this past year. 

For those of you who have yet to make a tax appointment, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130, and if you still have questions about what to bring, don't hesitate to ask! Our tax library provides access to many of the federal tax forms you may need, and we would also be happy to help you prepare!