Before You Begin

Please review the Personal Tax Preparation Checklist

Here’s a summary of what you’ll need before you begin. Review the areas that apply to you below in each section. Next, go ahead and prepare the documents for upload by individually scanning or taking a photo {if using your smart phone camera (12 mp or better preferred for best results)} of your tax forms. You will be asked to upload them as you go through the online tax interview. The online tax interview will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You may click the “Save for Later” button to restart the tax interview at anytime. A special link will be emailed to you to resume where you left off.

NOTE: To ensure all tax documents are received and uploaded into the proper sections of the questionnaire. Please DO NOT group tax documents in one scan. Rather, individually scan each document before you begin the tax interview. For other upload options please email info@harvesttimetaxservices.com or call 678.288.4811.

Items Required to E-file:

(*) Asterisk indicates required information to e-file.

Personal information (Required to e-file)*

This information tells the IRS exactly who’s filing, who is covered in your tax return and where to deposit your tax refund.

  • Social Security numbers and dates of birth for you, your spouse, your dependents
  • Bank account number and routing number, if depositing your refund directly into your account

Information about your income (Required to e-file)*

Must have at least one of these items.

  • W-2 forms from your employers
  • 1099-C forms for cancellation of debt
  • 1099-G forms for unemployment income, or state or local tax refunds
  • 1099-MISC forms (for any independent contractor work or self-employment income)
  • 1099-R, Form 8606 for payments/distributions from IRAs or retirement plans
  • 1099-S forms for income from sale of a property
  • 1099-INT, -DIV, -B, or K-1s for investment or interest income
  • SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits received
  • Alimony received
  • Business or farming income – profit statement, capital equipment information
  • Rental property income: profit statement, suspended loss information
  • Prior year installment sale information – Forms 6252, principal and interest collected during the year, SSN and address for payer
  • Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical
  • Savings Account, scholarships, prizes, stipends, etc.
  • Other self-employment summary of income
  • Hobby income and expenses
  • Other miscellaneous income

Affordable Care Act (Required to e-file)*

Must have at least one of these items.

  • Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insured plan through the Marketplace (Exchange)
  • Marketplace exemption certificate if you applied for and received an exemption from the Marketplace (Exchange)
  • Private Health Insurance

Optional Items Not Required to E-file:

Adjustments to your income (Not required unless applicable)

The following items can help reduce the amount of your income that is taxed, which can increase your tax refund, or lower the amount you owe.

  • Form 1098-E for student loan interest paid (or loan statements for student loans)
  • Form 1098-T for tuition paid (or receipts/canceled checks for tuition paid for post-high school)
  • For teachers: Canceled checks or receipts for expenses paid for classroom supplies, etc.
  • Records of IRA contributions made during the year
  • Receipts for any qualifying energy-efficient home improvements (solar, windows, etc.)
  • Records of Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions
  • Self-employed health insurance payment records
  • Records of moving expenses
  • Alimony paid
  • Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and other self-employed pension plans
  • Contributions to a health savings account

Deductions and credits (Not required unless applicable)

The government offers a number of deductions and credits to help lower the tax burden on individuals, which means more money in your pocket. You’ll need the following documentation to make sure you get all the deductions and credits you deserve.

  • Child care costs: provider’s name, address, tax ID, and amount paid
  • Education costs: Form 1098-T, education expenses
  • Adoption costs: SSN of child; records of legal, medical and transportation costs
  • Forms 1098: Mortgage interest, private mortgage insurance (PMI), and points you paid
  • Investment interest expenses
  • Charitable donations: cash amounts, official charity receipts, canceled checks; value of donated property; miles driven and out-of-pocket expenses
  • Medical and dental expense records
  • Casualty and theft losses: amount of damage, insurance reimbursements
  • Tax preparation fees
  • Records/amounts of other miscellaneous tax deductions: union dues; unreimbursed employee expenses (uniforms, supplies, union dues, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.)
  • Safe deposit box
  • Records of home business expenses, home size/office size, home expenses
  • Business or farming expenses – loss statement
  • Rental property expenses: loss statement, rental property suspended loss information
  • Home mortgage interest
  • Home mortgage insurance premium
  • Purchase or install energy efficient home items (windows, doors, etc)

Taxes you’ve paid (Not required unless applicable)

  • State and local income taxes paid
  • Real estate taxes paid
  • Personal property taxes
  • New Vehicle taxes fees based on value of vehicle
  • Vehicle ad valorem tag tax
  • Other sales taxes

Other information (Not required unless applicable)

  • Estimated tax payments made during the year (self-employed)
  • Received the first time home buyers credit in previous years
  • Prior-year refund applied to current year and/or any amount paid with an extension to file
  • Foreign bank account information: location, name of bank, account number, peak value of account during the year
  • Copies of last year’s tax return for you and your spouse (helpful, but not required)

Click here to review Small Business Tax Preparation Checklist. If not, skip and click the “Begin Tax Interview” button.

Need Live Support? Please call our office at 678.288.4811 to speak with a representative anytime or email questions to info@harvesttimetaxservices.com.