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What do I need to bring to my appointment?
When gathering your tax information it is important to collect all the information that will be needed by your tax specialist. This will ensure a smooth preparation process and avoid multiple appointments that can be an inconvenience.
If you are a new client, it may be helpful to print and complete the Individual Tax Organizer by clicking here. This organizer walks you through the necessary information that will be needed to complete your return accurately.
If you are a returning client, it can also be helpful to review the Individual Tax Organizer to list any updated information or changes that may have occurred since your last appointment.
You can also review the list below and collect any information that is applicable (click here to download a printable copy):
Copy of last year's tax return (if you are a new client)
Social Security cards, for all persons you may list on the return
Birth dates for all persons you may list on return
All income statements:
W-2 forms
1099 forms
Social Security statements
Other statements, such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld
Total of alimony received or paid (including recipient’s social security number if you paid alimony)
All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, charitable contributions
If you own or run a business or farm, collect records of all your income and expenses and bring last year’s tax return
Dependent child care information: name and address of paid caretakers and either their Social Security number or other tax identification number
If you purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
Any other documents, statements or information related to federal income taxes or FIT withheld
If you own or run a business or farm, collect records of all your income and expenses (download the Sole Proprietorship Tax Organizer to help organize your information)
Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund (a check or a deposit slip with this information printed on the bottom works well)
I own a small business - what information do I need to bring to my appointment?
Owning a small business involves additional record keeping and documentation. Please bring all the personal information listed in the question above and all business information. If you are a new client and operate a Sole Proprietorship, you may find it helpful to complete the Individual Tax Organizer and the Sole Proprietorship Tax Organizer to help organize your business information.
If you are a member of a S-Corporation or a Partnership, please bring your Schedule K-1 provided by the corporation or partnership.
If you are a single owner of a S-Corporation, the Sole Proprietorship Tax Organizer will also be helpful to organize your business income and expenses.
How can I find out if my refund has been processed?
Visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/refunds. You will be required to enter the social security number, the filing status and the refund amount. The IRS makes no guarantees on how long it will take them process a refund but state that most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days.
For additional answers regarding refunds, visit the IRS refund frequently asked questions page by clicking here.
A link to the IRS Where’s My Refund? page is also located in the footer of our website pages for your convenience.
How long do I need to keep my tax return?
The length of time you should keep a document depends on the action, expense, or event which the document records. Generally, you must keep your records that support an item of income, deduction or credit shown on your tax return until the period of limitations for that tax return runs out.
The period of limitations is the period of time in which you can amend your tax return to claim a credit or refund, or the IRS can assess additional tax. The information below reflects the periods of limitations that apply to income tax returns. Unless otherwise stated, the years refer to the period after the return was filed. Returns filed before the due date are treated as filed on the due date.
Note: Keep copies of your filed tax returns. They help in preparing future tax returns and making computations if you file an amended return.
Period of Limitations that apply to income tax returns:
Keep records for 3 years if situations (4), (5), and (6) below do not apply to you.
Keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return.
Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction.
Keep records for 6 years if you do not report income that you should report, and it is more than 25% of the gross income shown on your return.
Keep records indefinitely if you do not file a return.
Keep records indefinitely if you file a fraudulent return.
Keep employment tax records for at least 4 years after the date that the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later.
The following questions should be applied to each record as you decide whether to keep a document or throw it away.
Are the records connected to property?
Generally, keep records relating to property until the period of limitations expires for the year in which you dispose of the property. You must keep these records to figure any depreciation, amortization, or depletion deduction and to figure the gain or loss when you sell or otherwise dispose of the property.
If you received property in a nontaxable exchange, your basis in that property is the same as the basis of the property you gave up, increased by any money you paid. You must keep the records on the old property, as well as on the new property, until the period of limitations expires for the year in which you dispose of the new property.
What should I do with my records for non-tax purposes?
When your records are no longer needed for tax purposes, do not discard them until you check to see if you have to keep them longer for other purposes. For example, your insurance company or creditors may require you to keep them longer than the IRS does.
I received a letter from the IRS - what do I do?
First of all - Don’t Panic. Many letters from the IRS are informational or requesting additional information from the taxpayer. Here is a list of reasons why the IRS might send a letter to a taxpayer:
You have a balance due.
You are due a larger or smaller refund.
We have a question about your tax return.
We need to verify your identity.
We need additional information.
We changed your return.
We are notifying you of delays in processing your return.
Remember the following if you receive a letter from the IRS:
Report phishing if your correspondence looks suspicious - The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by e-mail or social media to ask for personal or financial information. Please visit the IRS Report Phishing page if you receive correspondence that looks suspicious and was designed to appear as though it came from the IRS. You can also call 1-800-829-1040.
Read the entire notice or letter carefully - Typically, the IRS only needs a response if you don’t agree with the information, the IRS needs additional information, or you have a balance due. If the IRS changed your tax return, compare the information provided in the Notice or Letter with the information in your original return. If the IRS receives a return they suspect is identity theft, they will ask you to verify your identity using the web address provided in the letter.
Respond within the required timeframe - If the IRS asks for a response within a specific timeframe, you must respond on time to minimize additional interest and penalty charges or to preserve your appeal rights if you don’t agree.
Pay as soon as possible - Pay as much as you can, even if you can’t pay the full amount you owe. You can pay online or apply for an Online Payment Agreement or Offer in Compromise. Visit the IRS payments page for more information.
Contact the IRS by phone if you have a question or you disagree - The IRS provides a contact phone number on the top right-hand corner of their correspondence. Be sure you have your tax return and any related documentation available when you call. You can also write the IRS at the address in the correspondence to explain why you disagree. If you write, allow at least 30 days for our response.
Keep a copy of all correspondence with your tax records.
If the letter or notice is notifying you of an audit, follow the instructions in the letter. Taxpayers are required to keep records used to prepare the return. Those records generally should be kept for three years from the date the tax return was filed.
If you purchased Audit Protection during the preparation of your return you can open a case with Protection Plus by clicking here. Protection Plus is here to help you and walk you through the steps to satisfy requests that the IRS makes in order to get you your refund. Protection Plus will handle all correspondence between you and the IRS.
Will you take the tax preparation fee out of my refund?
Most tax preparers will offer the convenience of receiving their fee out of your refund - for a hefty cost! The cost of this service is not always disclosed plainly to the client but can cost around $40 or more. We accept cash, check or debit/credit card payments and will never charge additional fees above the tax preparation service. After all…It’s Your Money.
Can I get an advance or loan based on my refund amount?
With electronic filing, direct deposit and faster processing of returns by the IRS, why throw away hundreds of dollars of your money for an advance or loan? Most refunds are received within 7-10 days with electronic filing and direct deposit; and sometimes in as little as three days based on when the IRS accepts the return. While the IRS makes no guarantee of how long it will take for a refund to be issued, the length of time to receive a refund has been improved over the years. Keep more of your money; after all…It’s Your Money.
