DRIVER’S LICENSE(S):
We will need your “Current” driver’s license to verify your identity. If you don’t have a driver’s license, we can accept the following forms for identification: state-issued photo ID, military ID with photo, US passport, Resident Alien ID with photo, city-issued photo ID, or county-issued photo ID. Identification must be current; not expired.
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SOCIAL SECURITY CARD(S):
If you
have your Social Security card, bring it with you to your local Tom's Tax Express office when you have your taxes prepared. If you have alien dependents who are not eligible for Social Security Numbers, you may file form W-7 with the Internal Revenue Service to apply for an ITIN.
Your Social Security Number is printed on your Social Security card. You can apply for a SSN by completing Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. This form is available from the Social Security Administration (1-800-722-1213 or www.ssa.gov)
If you are changing your name (due to marriage, divorce, etc.), notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) so that you can obtain a new Social Security card.
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DEPENDENTS’ SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND DATES OF BIRTH:
See Social Security Cards. Bring the Social Security Card and date of birth for each child. If you had a baby during the year, the hospital probably helped you apply for a Social Security card for your child. In order to electronically file with the IRS, you must have a valid Social Security number for every person included on the tax return.
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WAGE STATEMENTS - (W2)
For employee income, you will receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each employer you worked for in 2005. If you have not received this form by the beginning of February, you will need to contact your employer. W-2s should be sent to you by January 31, 2006.
For non-employee income (i.e., if you work as an independent contractor) that was $600 or more, a Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous will be sent to you. As with Form W-2, Form 1099-MISC should be sent to you by January 31, 2006. Bring all Wage Statements with you when you come in to have your income tax return prepared. If you do not receive your W-2 Tom's Tax Express can file your taxes from your final pay stub after February 15.
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PENSION OR RETIREMENT INCOME - (1099-R)
Bring your
Form 1099-R (Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.) to your local Tom's Tax Express office when it’s time to have your taxes prepared. Your age when you started receiving distributions and the amount you originally contributed to the plan will determine the amount of retirement or pension income that is subject to federal taxes. You should receive this form from the payer by January 31.
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LAST YEAR’S FEDERAL AND STATE TAX RETURNS
If you are "not" a prior Tom's Tax Express client, please bring a copy of last year’s income tax return with you. Some information from the prior year’s return(s) could be helpful in calculating this year’s tax return.
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SELF-EMPLOYED BUINESS INCOME AND EXPENSES - (1099-MISC)
Do you
run a business as a sole proprietor or professional? If so, you are taxed on gross income minus expenses. Bring all your accounting records showing your income totals and expense items to your local Tom's Tax Express office.
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CHILD CARE EXPENSES AND PROVIDER INFORMATION
Do you
have dependents under age 13? A disabled child of any age? A disabled spouse? Do you pay someone to provide care for them while you work, or search for work? You may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% of your expenses. Tom's Tax Express will need the provider’s name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). This can be a Social Security Number (if the provider is an individual) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN). If the provider is a church or non-profit group, and has no EIN, you can substitute the word “Tax Exempt” for the TIN. You will need to keep proof of payment receipts with your records. Just let your tax preparer know the total amount of expenses you paid during the year.
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INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
INTEREST INCOME:
If you earned interest on any of your bank accounts during the prior year, you should receive Form 1099-INT (Interest Income) by January 31. If you do not receive that form, bring your year-end bank statement to your local Tom's Tax Express office so we can determine the amount to report.
DIVIDEND INCOME:
If you received dividend income from stocks or funds during the prior year, each company or institution will send you a Form 1099-DIV by January 31. Bring these forms to your local Tom's Tax Express office and we will use them to calculate your gross income.
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STATE INCOME TAX REFUND AMOUNT - (1099-G)
Did you
itemize your deductions last year? Did you receive a state or local income tax refund or credit last year? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you might need to include your refund or credit as income this year. You should receive Form 1099-G from your state or local government by January 31 showing the amount of refund/credit. If you do not receive this form, contact your state office. If you are not a prior Tom's Tax Express client, please bring in your 2004 income tax return so we can use them to determine state-related itemized deductions.
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SALES OF STOCKS OR BONDS -(1099-B)
If you
sold Stocks or Bonds in 2005, bring Form 1099-B to your local Tom's Tax Express office, along with any brokerage statements (showing dates bought and sold), confirmation receipts (showing cost basis and fees paid), so we can get you the lowest tax rate available for your situation. We can also help you plan for next year!
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UNEMPLOYMENT INCOME - (1099-G)
Did you receive state unemployment compensation in 2005? If so, it should be included as income on your return. The State should send you Form 1099-G by January 31. Contact your state office if you have not received your Form 1099-G.
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SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME - (SSA-1099)
Did you
receive Social Security payments in 2005? If so, some of these funds may be taxable income. The Social Security Administration should send you this information by the end of the year. Bring Form SSA-1099 to your local Tom's Tax Express office when you come in to have your income taxes prepared.
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LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNINGS - (W2-G)
Did you
win more than $5,000 in cash or prizes last year? If so, those winnings may be subject to income tax. If you receive gambling winnings of $600 or more, the payer should send you a Form W-2G. This form shows the amount you won and the amount withheld, if applicable. Bring this form to your local Tom's Tax Express office so we can use it to help calculate your gross income.
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LOTTERY OR GAMBLING LOSSES
Did you
know that gambling losses can be deducted on your income tax return? Only up to the amount of your gambling winnings, though. You need to keep a written log that includes the date, location, type of gambling, amount of wager and your winnings and losses. Keep any supporting documentation, too. Bring the log to your local Tom's Tax Express office so we can properly claim your losses against your gambling winnings.
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ALIMONY PAID OR RECEIVED
If you paid alimony in 2005, it is deductible on your 2005 tax return. We will need a copy of the recipient’s Social Security Number.
If you received alimony in 2005, it is taxable income on your 2005 tax return. Child support is neither deductible nor taxable. Review the copy of your decree and any record of actual payments made/received in 2005. Bring that information with you and provide it to your tax preparer.
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RENTAL INCOME AND EXPENSES
Do you
own rental property? You’ll need to report as income any money received as rent. You can deduct certain expenses for your rental property (acquiring, maintaining, insuring and operating). Bring your accounting records to your local Tom's Tax Express office so we can properly allocate your income and expenses on your return.
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MORTGAGE OR HOME EQUITY LOAN INTEREST PAID - FORM 1098
If you itemize your deductions, you may be able to deduct your mortgage interest and/or home equity loan interest. Points may be deductible. You should receive Form 1098 by January 31 which shows the interest you paid in the previous year. If you do not receive this form, the information may be found on your mortgage bill. Bring Form 1098 (or mortgage bill) when you come in to have your taxes prepared. If you do not receive Form 1098, or the information is not on your mortgage invoice, call your mortgage holder directly. Be sure to bring form HUD-1 and your settlement papers as well!
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REAL ESTATE TAXES PAID
If you itemize your deductions, you can typically deduct amounts paid for real estate taxes from your Adjusted Gross Income. Bring proof of tax payment in when you come to have your income taxes prepared. If your mortgage company pays real estate taxes for you from an escrow fund, they will send proof of this payment on Form 1098 by January 31.
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PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID – CARS AND BOATS
If you itemize your deductions, you can typically deduct amounts paid for personal property taxes from your Adjusted Gross Income. Bring proof of tax payment in when you come to have your income taxes prepared. If you did not receive a property tax bill contact your municipality to request a copy.
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MEDICAL, EYE CARE AND DENTAL EXPENSES
Do you itemize your deductions? If so, then medical, eye care, dental expenses and premiums paid for health insurance may be deductible. Review these expenses with your preparer to determine whether you qualify for this deduction.
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CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS - CASH AND NONCASH
Have you made charitable contributions during the past year? Cash contributions to your church, Salvation Army, Goodwill and other charitable organizations can be deductible, if you itemize your deductions. Bring a record for contributions you made that were under $250, employer withholdings (such as United Way). If you made any single contribution of $250 or more, you MUST keep the written acknowledgments from the charitable organization. Non-cash charitable donations (vehicles, clothing or real property), are valued at the fair market value. You should receive a written receipt or acknowledgment of these contributions from the charitable organization. Keep records of your contributions and provide your preparer with your contribution amounts at the time we prepare your income tax return.
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SALE OF RESIDENCE
You need
to report the sale of your main residence only if you have a gain for which part of the gain is taxable. If you owned the home and lived in it as your primary residence for at least two years out of the last five, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 if Married Filing Jointly) of the gain from your income. Bring in Form HUD-1, and records of receipts, copies of the sales documents and copies of original purchase documents and receipts for property improvements to your local Tom's Tax Express office.
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UNREIMBURSED EMPLOYMENT-RELATED EXPENSES
Do you
itemize your deductions? If you have necessary job expenses (required uniforms, protective clothing, employment agency fees, dues to professional organizations, etc.) for which your company did not reimburse you, you may be able to deduct these expenses. Keep records of your expenses and bring that information in to your local Tom's Tax Express office to have your income taxes prepared.
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JOB-RELATED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
Do you
itemize your deductions? Job-related educational expenses may be deductible as long as the courses are necessary to maintain your job skills, but do not qualify you for a new job. Examples include: books, mileage, software and tuition. Make sure you keep written records of your mileage. Your job-related educational expenses may also qualify you for other tax benefits. Talk with your Tom's Tax Express preparer to determine whether the deduction or the tax credit would be more beneficial to your situation.
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EDUCATOR EXPENSES
Are you a teacher in grades K-12, an instructor counselor, principal or aide who has logged at least 900 hours of work in school during the year? If so, you may deduct up to $250 of out-of-pocket expenses you paid in 2005.
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TUITION AND EDUCATION FEES - FORM 1098-T
Are you a student? Do you have a dependent who is a student? If so, you may be able to claim up to $4000 as a tax deduction or elect one of the education tax credits for college tuition. Bring Form 1098-T, or a copy of your college tuition bill to your tax interview.
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STUDENT LOAN INTEREST - FORM 1098-E
Did you
take out a student loan for yourself, your spouse or your dependent? You may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest you paid. You should receive a Form 1098-E showing how much interest you paid during the year. Bring that form in to your local Tom's Tax Express office and ask how to get the most from these benefits.
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ADOPTION EXPENSES
If you adopted a child you could be eligible for a credit of up to $10,000. We will need a listing of all expenses paid, the adopted child’s Social Security Number and date of birth.
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CASUALTY OR THEFT LOSSES
Vandalism, fire,
storm. If you suffered losses due to one of these you may be able to deduct part or all of that loss. Keep any police reports, insurance claim forms, appraisals or other proof of loss as part of your records. Also, keep any receipts for repair work done to damaged or vandalized property. Let your Tom's Tax Express preparer know if you received any financial assistance to help cover your loss or additional expenses.
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FOREIGN TAXES PAID
Are you
paying foreign income taxes on your interest or dividends? If so, these payments will be listed on your Form 1099-DIV or Form 1099-INT. For foreign taxes not reported on these forms, bring proof of payment to your local Tom's Tax Express office for proper allocation.
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ESTIMATED TAXES
Are you
self employed or paying quarterly estimated taxes? Review your Form 1040-ES vouchers and any state vouchers and let Tom's Tax Express know the amount you paid. Your income tax preparer will make sure you receive credit for the payments made.
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STATE OR LOCAL SALES TAXES PAID
Typically State and local income taxes are deductible on Schedule A in the year paid. If this information is not included on your W2 please list the amounts paid along with the dates paid.
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MOVING EXPENSES
You may
be eligible to deduct moving expenses that were not reimbursed by an employer or to deduct expenses that are in excess of reimbursements. Please bring all moving receipts to your local Tom's Tax Express office.
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IRA CONTRIBUTIONS
If you
made individual contributions to an IRA during 2005, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000. If you are age 50 or over, you might be able to deduct an additional $500. There are some limitations. You should keep any bank or plan administrator documents and receipts. If you haven’t made any IRA contributions, talk to your tax preparer about our IRA plan. Let your local Tom's Tax Express office know the amount of your IRA contribution.
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INCOME FROM PARTNERSHIPS, S CORPORATIONS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES - SCHEDULE K-1
Income
and
deductions from these entities need to be included in your return. Bring your Schedule K-1 (or equivalent document) to your local Tom's Tax Express office for proper allocation.
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COMMISSIONS RECEIVED/PAID
COMMISSIONS RECEIVED:
The full amounts of any commissions you receive are considered income. This is the case whether your commission is called a bonus or a percentage. It is also true whether it is based on both your sales and the sales of your “down-line”, or on purchases from your affiliated company. Bring records of all amounts received as commission to your local Tom's Tax Express office when you come to have your taxes prepared.
COMMISSIONS PAID:
You may be able to deduct commissions and fees you paid for investment counsel and advice on purchases that produced taxable income. Bring all your information in to Tom's Tax Express so we can help you get the maximum allowable deductions for your circumstances.
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