2018 Tax Document Checklist

The best way to avoid the stress of filing your taxes is being prepared ahead of time. It is possibly the most involved part, but gathering the necessary documentation prior to filing will make it (almost) painless!

Here is your 2018 tax document checklist, this information will help make filing a breeze:

Personal Information:

• Your Social Security Number (if married filing jointly, then you will need your spouses SSN also) or tax ID number.
• Copies of 2017 income tax return – these may be needed to provide information like carryforward numbers

Special Circumstances

• If you receive alimony or child support you will need your ex-spouses Social Security Number
• You will need a marketplace exemption certificate if you did not have health insurance, and may be required to pay a penalty for not having coverage for part of 2018

Dependent Information (if applicable):

• Dates of Birth and Social Security Numbers or tax ID Numbers
• Childcare records, and provider’s tax ID number (if this applies to you)
• All income information (W2s, 1099s etc.)
• Income of other adults in your home

Special Circumstances

• If you are a non-custodial parent, you will need Form 8332 – showing that the child’s custodial parent is releasing their right to claim a child to you

Income Documentation:

If employed

• W2s from all employers

Unemployed

• 1099-G (unemployment, state tax refund)

Self –Employed

• Forms 1099
• K-1s
• Income records, and all accounting of business income and expenses to verify any amount that is not reported on 1099s
• Record of estimated tax payments made

Retirement Income

• Social Security / RRB income (1099-SSA, RRB-1099)
• Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)

Rental Income

• Records of income and expenses, tax payments made
• Rental asset information

Deductions:

Mortgage

• Forms 1098, mortgage interest statement
• Property tax records
• Records of energy-saving home improvements

Education

• Educational expenses
• Form 1098-E Student loan interest paid
• Records of any scholarship or fellowship received

State & Local Taxes

• Amount of state and local or income tax paid

Health (Expenses and Insurance)

• Health Insurance Forms 1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C based on what insurance you utilize
• Reporting health insurance premiums paid, and to whom

Charitable Actions

• Cash amounts donated to charitable organizations
• Records of all donations paid with a method other than cash

Retirement

• Forms 5498-SA (HSA contributions)
• Form 5498 (showing IRA contributions)
• All other 5498 series forms

Utilize this checklist while planning for filing. It is natural to want to rush the filing process but when make sure you are prepared with all records, documentation and other information beforehand you are ensuring that you are getting the most out of your return this year.