Bridges’s Tax Time Checklist (Again)

In early January, I sent a “checklist” email to our Greater Atlanta tax preparation business list (and if you’re not receiving our weekly emails, you really should fill out the quick form here on this page to receive a copy of one of our free reports — we’ll add you to our list as well, so you’ll be the among the first to receive important updates and exclusive offers from us), and it was one of our most popular messages. I guess it was handy!

Putting together this list for those who are preparing taxes in the Greater Atlanta area may run slightly counter to my business goals — after all, we do get paid to do this on behalf of clients! That said, our mission is to ensure that EVERYONE in the local Greater Atlanta area saves the most possible when the IRS comes calling. Some of these may seem small, but trust me when I say that they add up.

But today, I would like to take a minute here to address you looking for the best tax preparer in Greater Atlanta who haven’t yet made the decision to use our services.

You see, we’ve helped many Greater Atlanta (and beyond) families “make the switch” over to us, year after year. I know that you’ve probably established a rhythm with your current provider (even if it’s not a “good” rhythm), and that you may dread the prospect of having to teach a new tax preparer about your family’s financial dreams and goals.

(By the way, are you using a tax professional who cares about those?)

Which is why this blogpost would be for you. (And if you’re already using us, then you can safely ignore this particular message, and skip to the end where we do have some information for you, perhaps merely as a reminder.)

Many Greater Atlanta families are pulling together their paperwork to deliver to their preparer this week … and before you do that with your existing preparer, I’d like to give you a reason to try us out.

I’d rather not “bad mouth” other tax accountants in the area, but suffice to say that we’ve had to do our share of re-doing other accountants’ work. In some cases, we’ve recovered significant sums during an amendment process, by reviewing an old return (from the last 3 years), and taking advantage of ethical and legal tax credits and deductions which other accountants don’t utilize — whether through ignorance, laziness, or preference.

Bridges’s Tax Time Checklist (Again)
“Don’t lower your standards. Instead, wait for people to rise up to your expectations.” -Susan Gale

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.

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

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

While some of these statements, and their ensuing deductions, may seem like “pocket change” … just a few minutes of effort can pay a nice hourly rate. And, better in YOUR pockets than in Uncle Sam’s, right?

So, I hope this helps.

Warmly,

Dennis Bridges
(770) 984-8008