Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Tax Preparation Checklist


Personal Tax Preparation Checklist


Below is the information you will need to gather for the preparation of your personal tax returns.
Our tax organizer may provide additional assistance.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
                                        (Click here for Printable Checklist)

Personal Information
  • Your social security number
  • Your spouse's full name and social security number
  • Amount of any alimony paid and ex-spouse's social security number
Other people who may belong on your return
  • Dates of birth and social security numbers
  • Childcare records (including the provider's ID number) if applicable
  • Approximate income of other adults in your home (not spouse, if you're filing jointly)
  • Form 8332, copies of your divorce decree, or other documents showing that your ex-spouse is releasing their right to claim a child to you
Education Payments
  • Bills from the educational institution or anything else that itemizes what you paid or received loans for versus what was covered by scholarship or other financial aid
  • Forms 1098-T and 1098-E, if you received them
  • Scholarships and fellowships
Employee Information
  • Forms W-2
Self-Employment Information
  • Forms 1099-MISC, Schedules K-1, income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099s.
  • Records of all expenses — check registers or credit card statements, and receipts
  • Business-use asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
  • Office in home information, if applicable
Vehicle Information
  • Total miles driven for the year (or beginning/ending odometer readings)
  • Total business miles driven for the year (other than commuting)
  • Amount of parking and tolls paid
  • If you want to claim actual expenses, receipts or totals for gas, oil, car washes, licenses, personal property tax, lease or interest expense, etc.
Rental Income
  • Records of income and expenses
  • Rental asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
Retirement Income
  • Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)
  • Social security/RRB income (1099-SSA, RRB-1099)
Savings and Investments
  • Interest, dividend income (1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV)
  • Income from sales of stock or other property (1099-B, 1099-S)Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold
Other Income
  • Unemployment, state tax refund (1099-G)
  • Gambling income (W-2G or records showing income, as well as expense records)
  • Amount of any alimony received and ex-spouse's name
  • Health care reimbursements (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
  • Jury duty records
  • Hobby income and expenses
  • Prizes and awards
  • Other 1099
Itemizing Deductions
  • Forms 1098 or other mortgage statements
  • Amount of state/local income tax paid (other than wage withholding), or amount of state and local sales tax paid
  • Real estate and personal property tax records  (Click Here for Jackson County Residence) 
  • Invoice showing amount of vehicle sales tax paid
  • HUD statement showing closing date of home purchase
  • Cash amounts donated to houses of worship, schools, other charitable organizations
  • Records of non-cash charitable donations
  • Amounts paid for healthcare insurance and to doctors, dentists, hospitals
  • Amounts of miles driven for charitable or medical purposes
  • Expenses related to your investments
  • Amount paid for preparation of your last years tax return
  • Employment-related expenses (dues, publications, tools, uniform cost and cleaning, travel)
  • Job-hunting expenses
IRA Information
  • Amount contributed 
  • Traditional IRA basis
  • Value of IRAs on Dec. 31st (Please provide year end statements)
If you were affected by a federally declared disaster
  • City/county you lived/worked/had property in
  • Records to support property losses (appraisal, clean up costs, etc.)
  • Records of rebuilding/repair costs
  • Insurance reimbursements/claims to be paid
  • FEMA assistance information
  • Check FEMA site to see if my county qualifies for individual assistance

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Beware of Fake Charity Scams Relating to Hurricanes


Beware of Fake Charity Scams Relating to Hurricanes - Provided by your Blue Springs & Grain Valley Income Tax Preparation Office.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about possible fake charity scams emerging due to Hurricane Harvey and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups for their donations.
While there has been an enormous wave of support across the country for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, and with the preparations for the incoming Hurricane Irma, people should be aware of criminals who look to take advantage of this generosity by impersonating charities to get money or private information from well-meaning taxpayers. Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in-person solicitations.
Criminals often send emails that steer recipients to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes. These sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade people to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources.
Avoid scam artists by following these tips:
  • Be sure to donate to recognized charities.
  • Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible.
  • Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution. Scam artists may use this information to steal a donor’s identity and money.
  • It is best for security and tax record purposes to contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the donation, as opposed to cash.

Mike Mead, EA, CTC
Alliance Financial & Income Tax
807 NW Vesper Street
Blue Springs, MO. 64015
P - 816-220-2001 x201
F - 816-220-2012
AFITOnline.com

Monday, November 6, 2017

3 Reasons Using Tax Preparation Software May Not Be In your Best Interest


Grain Valley Income Tax Preparation



Every year, businesses and families use tax preparation software to handle their income tax reporting.  While is may seem convenient, you should steer clear of such questionable resources because:  

  1. It’s easy for you to make a costly financial mistake without noticing.
  2. Tax preparation software doesn’t inform you about current tax laws.
  3. Tax preparation software doesn’t tell you which decisions are right for your financial situation.
Avoid making costly errors with tax preparation software – rely on a tax preparation accountant at Alliance Financial & Income Tax.  We’re located in Blue Springs, MO and serve the Greater Kansas City area.


Mike Mead, EA, CTC
Alliance Financial & Income Tax
807 NW Vesper Street
Blue Springs, MO. 64015
P - 816-220-2001 x201
F - 816-220-2012
AFITOnline.com