Pre Tax Preparation: What You Should Bring to Your Tax Appointment

It would be great if you could just show up for your tax preparation appointment and leave with a rebate check on the same day, but there is actually quite a bit of preparation required. The good news is that if you know what paperwork to bring, your tax preparation can be a snap.
First, you have to bring proof of your income and the taxes that you paid. This comes in the form of a 1099 or a W-2 form. It is issued by your employer, and it comes with a copy to send for state taxes, federal taxes, and one to keep for your records. Your tax preparation cannot occur without this information.
Copies of your bank statements are also helpful for tax preparation because they can contain an explanation for all of the deposits for your bank account. There are many times that clients will receive a gift from a parent that looks like a deposit into your bank account. If you don’t have a bank statement available, that money could look like income, but if you can show that it is a gift, it won’t be taxed.
IRA accounts also have special rules when it comes to tax preparation so you should always bring proof of any IRA contribution to your tax preparation appointment. You will also need to have social security information for all of the members of your family so that you can claim the tax credits that come with each family member.
There is lot of information to bring to your tax preparation meeting, and other receipts to bring are proof of work-related expenses, charitable donations, energy-saving appliances, and even medical expenses. While you’re at it, don’t forget to bring last year’s tax return as well. With all this information in tow, you will be ready to begin your tax preparation so you can leave with an assurance that your taxes are done for a whole year.

Karla Dennis

As seen in Forbes Magazine, Karla Dennis is an expert tax and business strategist. As an enrolled agent, Karla is licensed to represent taxpayers in all 50 states. She holds a Masters in Taxation and Business Development and is the author of two books, Tax Storm and Against the Odds.

Karla, CEO of consultancy firm Karla Dennis And Associates, Inc.™, has saved her clients thousands of dollars and has been featured in various media outlets such as Forbes, MSNBC, KTLA, Yahoo! Finance, and SmartMoney, marking her as the ultimate tax expert.

As of 2014, Karla became the new host on the “Mind Your Business” radio show, KTLK AM 1150, sharing her financial and business knowledge with the greater Orange County and Los Angeles areas. As a supporter of women’s rights and issues, Karla is part of the Women Network, an organization built to educate and mentor women. In addition, Karla is the radio host for Women Network Radio, a show that aims to uplift and empower women of all walks of life.