Tax season is coming to a close, so if you haven’t filed yet, you will likely need a tax return preparation service.

Filing your returns can be a complicated process, especially if you have more than one income, multiple properties, or own a business. In fact, sixty percent of Americans use accountants to lighten the burden. So, if you decide to use a professional tax return preparation service in Tarpon Springs, here’s a list of things you will need to do ahead of time.

Have Your Information Ready

When you meet with a tax return preparation specialist in Tarpon Springs, you are going to need a few things to get started. You need your social security card (if you don’t know your social security number) as well as the card(s) of anyone else you may be claiming as dependents. Don’t forget to bring addresses and financial information for properties that you own. You will have to specify what the purpose of the property is, be it your home, a rental property, or an investment.

Bring Your Receipts to Your Tax Return Preparation Meeting

Did you use utilities like the internet or phone service toward your business or job in Tarpon Springs? Have you purchased items specifically for completing tasks related to work? Did you drive several miles for business with your vehicle?

If any of these apply, you should take advantage of potential tax breaks by providing receipts for items purchased, gas and mileage records. If you have made charitable donations, be it to your place of worship (church, temple, synagogue) or a particular cause (Goodwill, Red Cross), you will want to bring donation receipts to your Tarpon Springs tax return preparation meeting. If you volunteered your time to your church or an organization and you have any documents supporting that, bring them along.

Income-Related Documents

It goes without saying that you will need to bring the forms related to your income. However, sometimes they’re easy to forget. ​Regardless, these documents are crucial in verifying your source of income. So, before you head to meet with your tax return preparation specialist in Tarpon Springs, make sure you have one or more of the following forms that apply:

  • Form W-2: Wage and salary income
  • Form W-2G: Gambling winnings
  • Form 1099-A: Foreclosure of a home
  • Form 1099-B: Sales of stock, bonds, or other investments
  • Form 1099-DIV: Dividends
  • Form 1099-G: State refunds and unemployment compensation
  • Form 1099-INT: Interest income
  • Form 1099-K: Business or rental income processed by third party networks

Expense-Related Documents

These documents verify your expenditures. If you did not receive an official document or form when you were making a purchase, then make sure you have documentation of the payments when you go to your tax return preparation consultation in Tarpon Springs.

These forms include:

  • Form 1097-BTC: Bond Tax Credit
  • Form 1098: Mortgage interest
  • Form 1098-C: Charitable contribution of vehicles
  • Form 1098-E: Student loan interest
  • Form 1098-MA: Homeowner mortgage payments
  • Form 1098-T: Tuition for higher education
  • Business expenses (summarized by type and amount)
  • Child care expenses (summarized by provider and amount)

​What If You Are Missing Documents?

If you lose a document or you don’t have all of the necessary documents, don’t worry. You can request new ones from your employer (Form W-2). You or your accountant can also request copies of the document from the IRS, since they receive copies of every form sent to you.

Even if you don’t have every single form you need, don’t be overwhelmed. A tax return preparation specialist at BizBooks 4 U can help you in Tarpon Springs. All things considered, the mid-April deadline is looming right around the corner. It’s time to take care of business! Call BizBooks 4 U today at 727-939-1044 to get the most out of this filing season.