I remember seeing a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Jun 2012) by Wilhelm Hofmann a few years back about resolutions, temptations, etc. and how we can control them — or be controlled by them. It’s probably worth sharing with you the key bit (and lest you think I’m a psychology nerd, I’m pretty sure I saw it referenced in an article in the NYT, but I’m not able to immediately find that particular link)…

Essentially, people with the best “self control” are those who end up having to *use* self control the least. They set up their lives in order to minimize temptation and create systems by which they are able to avoid being put into the position of being tempted. They conserve their energy and outsource as much self-control as they possibly can.

Sometimes our best method for sticking to our resolutions (both financial and otherwise) is not to “gut it out”, but to allow others, and our own pre-set boundaries, do the heavy lifting for us.

Which, of course, brings me back to the tax preparation process. If you’ll pardon the somewhat-clumsy segue here, may I humbly suggest something? Let us help you this year.

I truly do pity those who attempt to wade through all of the different tax codes and forms on their own, and not devote a week’s labor to the transaction. It really doesn’t pay to “go it alone” for certain tasks.

Dennis Bridges’s 
“Real World” Personal Strategy Note
Documents You Need for Tax Preparation in 2018 (TY2017)
“If you do not think about your future, you cannot have one.” -John Galsworthy

Below is a list of what you will need during the tax preparation process. Not all of them will apply to you — probably MOST will not. Nonetheless, it’s a useful checklist.

Before you get overwhelmed: yes, this is a long list — but it’s the unfortunate reality of our tax code that it’s not even comprehensive! But these items will cover 95% of our clients.  Really, this is for ensuring that we’re able to help you keep every dollar you can keep under our tax code.

Even if for some strange reason you won’t be using our cost-effective services this year, feel free to use this list as a handy guide…

Personal Data
*Social Security Numbers (including spouse and children)
*Child care provider tax I.D. or Social Security Number

Employment & Income Data
*W-2 forms for this year
*Tax refunds and unemployment compensation: Form 1099-G
*Miscellaneous income including rent: Form 1099-MISC
*Partnership and trust income
*Pensions and annuities
*Alimony received
*Jury duty pay
*Gambling and lottery winnings
*Prizes and awards
*Scholarships and fellowships
*State and local income tax refunds
*Unemployment compensation

Health Insurance Information
* All 1095-A Forms from marketplace providers (if you purchased insurance through a Marketplace)
* Existing plan information (policy numbers, etc.)
* If claiming an exemption, your unique Exemption Certificate Number
* Records of credits and/or advance payments received from the Premium Tax Credit (if claiming)

Homeowner/Renter Data
*Residential address(es) for this year
*Mortgage interest: Form 1098
*Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-S
*Second mortgage interest paid
*Real estate taxes paid
*Rent paid during tax year
*Moving expenses

Financial Assets
*Interest income statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID
*Dividend income statements: Form 1099-DIV
*Proceeds from broker transactions: Form 1099-B
*Retirement plan distribution: Form 1099-R
*Capital gains or losses

Financial Liabilities
*Auto loans and leases (account numbers and car value) if vehicle used for business
*Student loan interest paid
*Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits

Automobiles
*Personal property tax information
*Department of Motor Vehicles fees

Expenses
*Gifts to charity (receipts for any single donations of $250 or more)
*Unreimbursed expenses related to volunteer work
*Unreimbursed expenses related to your job (travel expenses, entertainment, uniforms, union dues, subscriptions)
*Investment expenses
*Job-hunting expenses
*Education expenses (tuition and fees)
*Child care expenses
*Medical Savings Accounts
*Adoption expenses
*Alimony paid
*Tax return preparation expenses and fees

Self-Employment Data
*Estimated tax vouchers for the current year
*Self-employment tax
*Self-employment SEP plans
*Self-employed health insurance
*K-1s on all partnerships
*Receipts or documentation for business-related expenses
*Farm income

Deduction Documents
*State and local income taxes
*IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions
*Medical expenses
*Casualty or theft losses
*Other miscellaneous deductions

We’re here to help. Let me know if you have any questions.

Warmly,

Dennis Bridges
(770) 984-8008