2025 Tax Season Checklist

Each season we publish this handy Checklist to assist you in confirming you have everything ready to get your tax return prepared correctly. Below is a detailed list of common items required and some information concerning what we need at the office from you in order to provide top quality, accurate and efficient service. Please review this checklist completely prior to you dropping off your documents or arriving for your scheduled appointment. – Thanks! Gina & Chris

NOTES: If you receive tax info by mail, then be sure to OPEN and REVIEW all tax related mail. If you find a discrepancy, please contact the appropriate entity and request a corrected form before bringing to our office.
*DO NOT put back in the envelopes, because we have to take them out again to review and use for preparation.

NOTES: If you receive digital tax documents, W2’s, 1099’s etc. *DO NOT email them to our office. Our NEW Secure Document Client Portal is how we receive confidential information now. If you have questions concerning this strategy, please contact our office.

NOTE: WE DO NOT store your banking routing and account number in our system for direct deposit of refunds. Those numbers have to be provided to us EACH year! *Using banking info for both refunds and paying tax due is heavily encouraged. Effective Sept 30th 2025, the IRS will no longer mail paper refund checks. Paying tax due electronically is still optional but will most likely become standard soon.

Personal information:
◦ Full name(s) of the taxpayer(s)
◦ Dates of birth (for each)
◦ Social Security # (SSN) or Taxpayer Id # (TIN) (for each)
◦ Address (note if new & when moved if applicable)
◦ Phone Number(s)
◦ Email Address (es)
◦ Proof of Identification (for each taxpayer)
◦ Marital Status (if Separated, need spouses name & SSN
and date of separation)
◦ Education – Tuition statement 1098-T from your Portal &
student loan statements 1098-E & have you completed
4yrs previously – let us know for Lifetime Learning Credit
(LLC) but American Opportunity Tac Credit (AOTC) – may
claim required fees & expenses for books, supplies, and
equipment
◦ Records of any major life events, such as marriage,
divorce, death, birth of a child, adoption, or bankruptcy
◦ Veteran – you and/or spouse
Dependent information:
◦ Name(s)
◦ Dates of birth(s)
◦ Social Security # or Taxpayer Id # (TIN) (for each)
◦ Relationship to Taxpayer
◦ Whether the taxpayer has full custody of the children or if
they split custody
◦ Child Care – per kid – broken out – bring form with name,
address, EIN # / SS# of daycare/school even if you have a
flex account
◦ Tuition statement 1098-T from Child’s Portal & attending
year # (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) & any required fees & expenses,
books, supplies, & equipment
◦ Kiddie Tax Provisions
◦ W2’s, 1099’s, Stocks, any income they may have
Income – for each taxpayer & may be multiple forms per
person:
◦ Wages (W-2s) – with Correct Info
◦ Investment income:
▪ Interest income (1099-INT)
▪ Dividend income (1099-DIV)
▪ Capital gains (1099-B)
◦ Did you SELL a home in 2025?? Bring settlement
statements. We need to know the date and price you
purchased it for, plus date and price you sold it for.
▪ Cryptocurrency transaction reports, dates, proceeds
& original cost basis (1099-DA)

◦ Retirement income bring 1099 forms:
▪ Pension income
▪ IRA distributions
▪ Social Security income – SSA-1099
◦ Income from pass-through entities
▪ K-1s from partnerships and s-corporations
▪ Dividend income from c-corporations
◦ Rental Property – broken out per property with income &
expense details & more
◦ Unemployment compensation received (1099-G)
◦ Alimony received with SS# of payer/recipient (for divorces
finalized prior to 1/1/2019)
◦ Gambling winnings (W2-G) and losses – bring log if
available
◦ Unemployment (1099 G)
◦ All other Income – barter, hobby, settlements, prizes, gifts,
etc. even if you think it is not taxable – ALL Income must
be reported.
◦ Business Income and Expenses (for sole proprietors or LLC’s using a Schedule C)
▪ Revenue – Bring Bal Sheet:
▪ Copies of any 1099-NEC received
▪ Total for income not included on 1099-NECs
▪ Expenses – Totals – Bring P & L sheet: (examples)
▪ Automobile expenses
▪ Office supplies
▪ Phone expenses
▪ Interest expenses
▪ Equipment – need brake outs
▪ Legal and professional fees
▪ Business meals and entertainment
▪ Dues and subscriptions
▪ Continuing education
▪ Travel expenses
▪ Other business expenses

Adjustments to income:
◦ Health insurance paid for self-employed individuals
◦ Student loan interest
◦ Educator expenses for teachers
◦ HSA 1099 SA & 5498 SA – contributions & distributions
◦ 529 plan info (if applicable)
◦ Employee Retention Credits (amendment may be needed
for tax years paid)
Deductions if Itemizing: *See Standard Deduction chart
below to see if you may qualify.
◦ Medical expenses (if they will exceed 7.5% of the
taxpayer’s income)
◦ Long Term Care – 1099 LTC
◦ State taxes paid or sales tax paid in states without state
income taxes
◦ Property taxes paid
◦ Personal property taxes, such as DMV fees based on a
vehicle’s value
◦ Mortgage interest
◦ Mortgage balances if the mortgage balances are in excess
of $750,000
◦ Alimony paid with SS# of payer/recipient (for divorces
finalized prior to 1/1/2019)
◦ Investment interest paid
◦ Cash donations
◦ Non-cash donations
▪ Over $500 include date, place, FMV & original cost
▪ Vehicle donations require a 1098-C from the charity
that received the vehicle
▪ Items valued at more than $5,000 require an
appraisal which must be submitted with the return

Documentation for potential tax credits:
◦ Invoices for solar, wind, EV station, fuel cell systems
◦ Purchase agreements for electric vehicles
◦ Installed energy efficient furnace, central AC, windows,
doors, water heater, etc.
◦ Education savings plan 1099-Q – expenses (1098-T) – loan
interest 1098-E – also listed above
◦ Foreign taxes paid (often listed on 1099-Div)
Estimated tax payments (list all payments made throughout
the year along with dates paid) Federal & State
Other information needed to prepare and file the return:
◦ Copy of the prior year’s tax return* (NEW Clients Only)
◦ Bring a cancel check from either a checking or savings
account for scheduling direct deposit of refunds or
electronic payments of taxes due
◦Health insurance coverage 1095 A thru Marketplace or
Affordable Care Act (ACA). If thru work, form is a 1095-C
◦ Copies of any notices received from any taxing authorities
◦ PITN – Personal identity theft prevention number from the
IRS (if applicable) Pin is in the letter sent by the IRS
(CP01A) each year. You cannot use last year’s number.
Anyone can get one off the IRS website for extra
protection.

This Checklist does not apply for LLC, Partnerships, C Corps, or S Corp., Trust, Estates, etc..