How do I prepare for Tax day? Checklist: Everything You Need for a Successful Tax Day
How We Do It?
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to preparing for tax season, but with a little bit of organization, you can breeze through the process and get your taxes done on time.
Tax season is never anyone’s favorite time of year. Between gathering all of your paperwork, trying to decipher what the IRS is asking for, and actually completing the forms, doing your taxes yourself can be daunting – and often frustrating. That’s why so many people choose to use a tax preparer instead.
A good tax preparer such as one from Kkeqbpro can help take some of the stress out of tax season and make sure that you’re getting the best possible return on your investment. However, if you’re not confident in your ability to do your taxes yourself, there’s no shame in doing so. The most important thing is that you get your taxes done correctly and on time. Here’s a checklist of everything you need to do to get your taxes in order, so you can
focus on getting your refund (or paying your taxes) and moving on with your life:
Table of Contents
Checklist for Tax Preparation
A checklist for tax preparation can be extremely helpful in ensuring that you have all the
necessary documentation and information in order before you begin the process. It can save you a lot of time and frustration, and make the entire process much smoother.
Taking the time to put together a comprehensive checklist before you start preparing your taxes can make a world of difference in how smoothly the process goes. Here is the complete list of the documents, and information you should have ready when preparing to file a return with the IRS
Personal Information
To prepare your taxes, you’ll need some basic information about yourself and your family. IRS needs this information to determine how much tax individuals owe, verify their income and deductions, and ensure that they are paying the correct amount of tax.
The information includes your:
- Full Name
- Social security number
- Date of birth
- Employer's name and address (if you have one)
- Home address
- Copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns
Dependent Information
A dependent is someone for whom you can claim a dependency exemption on your tax return. The dependent must meet certain criteria to be eligible, such as being a certain age, not being married, and not earning more than a certain amount of income.
The most common type of dependent is a child. You can claim a child as a dependent if he or she is under age 19 (or 24 if a full-time student) at the end of the year. If the child is permanently disabled, there is no age limit. If you’re claiming any dependent on your taxes, you’ll need the following information for each person:
- The full name, social security number, and date of birth of the dependent.
- Home Address (if different from yours)
- Form 8332 in case the custodial parent of your dependent child is releasing their right to claim the child as a dependent.
Income information and Sources
Income information is one of the most important pieces of information when filing your tax return. Your income determines your tax bracket, and it is important to accurately report your income to the IRS. There are a few different ways to report your income, and the method you use will depend on your individual situation.
W-2 forms are used to report income from employment. If you are an employee, your employer will provide you with a W-2 form, and you will need to enter the information from this form on your tax return.
1099 forms are used to report income from sources other than employment. This could include income from investments, self-employment, or other sources. If you receive any 1099 forms, you will need to enter the information from these forms on your tax return.
Also, be sure to include any income from cryptocurrency gains in the appropriate section so that your return is complete.
Your tax return will also require you to report any other income you received during the year. This could include interest income, dividends, or other types of income. Make sure to accurately report all your income on your tax return to avoid any penalties from the IRS.
Providing proper income sources for your tax might be complicated and there is a high chance of you missing some information. For this reason, it is advisable to seek professional help from an accountant or tax specialist. They will be able to ensure that everything is properly documented and accounted for, which will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. At Kkeqbpro we are professional tax preparers and can help you with your tax preparation needs. We have years of experience preparing taxes for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Our professionals can help you with everything from simple tax returns to complex tax filings and will ensure that every piece of information is accurate and up to date.
Self-Employment and Business Records
If you are self-employed or run a business, it is important to keep good records of your income and expenses. Having a complete record of your business transaction will help you when it comes time to file your taxes, as you will need to provide documentation of your earnings and deductions.Some of the records you should keep include:
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Bank Statements
- Canceled Checks
- Credit card statements
- Mileage logs
- Expense reports
Tax Deductions
Deductions are expenses that you can subtract from your income to reduce your tax liability. There are two types of deductions: standard deductions and itemized deductions.
Standard deductions are a set amount that you can deduct from your income, and they are available to all taxpayers.
The amount of the deduction depends on your filing status. For example, the standard deduction for a single taxpayer is $12,550 in 2021.
Itemized deductions are expenses that you can itemize on your tax return. You can itemize deductions if they total more than the standard deduction amount. Itemized deductions include expenses such as charitable donations and home mortgage interest.
Some of the usual itemized deductions include
- Premium paid on long-term insurance
- State and local taxes
- Childcare expenses receipt
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Expenses paid to improve rental assets
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires taxpayers to have adequate documentation for all itemized deductions. This includes receipts, canceled checks, and other written evidence that supports the deduction amount.
Tax Credits
Tax credits are a type of tax deduction that can reduce your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. For example, if you owe $1,000 in taxes and you have a $1,000 tax credit, your tax liability will be reduced to zero. There are a few different tax credits available, and which one you can claim depends on your individual circumstances. The most common tax credit is the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers who have earned income from employment or self-employment. Other tax credits include the Child and Dependent Care Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
To claim a tax credit, you will need to fill out the appropriate form and attach it to your tax return. Be sure to keep good records of your expenses in case you are audited by the IRS.
Managing tax credits and deductions can be a complex thing, which is why a lot of professionals and businesses seek the help of a professional tax preparer. At Kkeqbpro we have professionals who are experts in helping you take advantage of every credit and deduction available to you. We’ll work with you to make sure you get the most out of your tax return. Our team understands that managing your tax credits and deductions can be a complex thing, so let us help you make it easier.
Statement for profits and losses
When filing your tax return with the IRS, you may need to show a statement of your profile and any losses on stocks or other investments. The data is used by IRS to determine whether you owe any taxes on your investment earnings.
To do this, you will have to provide a breakdown of your investment portfolio, including any stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other assets. It is also essential to provide data for any losses you have incurred on investments. The consolidated information on profit and loss for the year will help the IRS determine your tax liability accurately and ensure that you are paying the correct amount of taxes on capital gains.
A report of profit and loss usually includes
- The purchase price
- The date you purchased the investment
- The current value of the investment
- Any dividends or interest earned on the investment
- Any commissions or fees paid
- The date you sold the investment
- The sale price
If you have a complex investment portfolio, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional tax preparer to ensure that your statement of profit and loss is accurate.
IRS Letters
IRS may occasionally send you a letter or notice with information about your tax return or
account. The IRS uses letters to contact taxpayers about many different types of information including changes to your account, discrepancies on your return, and requests for additional information. When filing a tax return, it is important that you go through all the letters received by IRS, since they can affect your return.
There are a few common IRS letters that you may receive. The most common is the CP2000 notice, which is sent when the IRS believes you have underpaid your taxes. Other common letters include the CP14 notice, which is sent when you have a balance due, and the CP15 notice, which is sent when your tax return has been selected for an audit.
While these letters can be confusing, it’s important to read them carefully and take the appropriate action to resolve the issue.
If you have questions about an IRS letter, you can contact a tax professional for help. At
Kkeqbpro we have experience dealing with IRS letters and can help you resolve the issue
quickly and efficiently.
Why should you work with a professional for your tax return?
When you are working on your tax return, it is important to make sure that you are doing
everything correctly. This is something that can be difficult to do on your own, which is why it is a good idea to work with a professional.
When you work with a professional, they will be able to help make sure that you are taking all of the deductions that you are eligible for and that you are filing your return correctly. Working with a professional can also help to ensure that your return is filed on time to avoid penalties from the IRS.
Final Words
Following the tips above will help ensure a successful Tax Day. Remember to gather all of your necessary documents and information, complete your tax forms accurately, and submit them on time. However, if you feel like it is a lot of work to do, the professional tax prepare from Kkeqbpro are always here for help.
Our firm provides professional tax preparation services for individuals and businesses. We have a team of certified public accountants (CPAs) who are experienced in preparing tax returns and will help you maximize your deductions and minimize your tax liability.
To make the process smooth and accommodating we also offer a free consultation to discuss your specific tax needs. We offer competitive rates and a satisfaction guarantee.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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