Documents and information needed:
- Agreement letter – available here, in the portal (public file), or pick up a paper copy from the drop box in my office lobby. Sign and return to me with your documents.
- Questionnaire – available here, in the portal (public file), or pick up a paper copy from the drop box in my office lobby. Complete and return it to me with your documents.
- Tax documents – see the following list
Income:
- Record of crypto/virtual currency transactions (Form 8949 or 1099-B if possible)
- W2’s from all employment
- Retirement – pension, IRA, annuity, regular or early withdrawals (1099-R)
- Social Security (1099-SSA)
- Self-employment, ‘gig,’ or rental income/expenses
- Unemployment (1099-G)
- NEW: 1099-K from venmo, paypal, etc even if it was for nontaxable personal transactions
- NEW: 1099-MISC from MN Revenue (if you received a $260/person rebate in late 2023)
- All other 1099’s (for misc income, interest, dividends, stock sales, debt cancellation, etc – check online bank and brokerage accounts, some forms are no longer mailed but are still taxed!)
- Gambling income (W2-G), hobby income, unreported income
- All other tax documents – if you’re not sure, include it
- Final paystub of 2023 (not necessary, but sometimes helpful)
Expenses:
If you itemize, or are unsure whether itemizing is beneficial for you, provide:
- Charitable giving (one total for money and one total for goods)
- Mortgage form 1098 and closing documents if purchased in 2023
- Medical expenses
- Property tax
- Annual car registration (if MN resident and higher than $42)
Even if you don’t itemize, provide:
- Charitable contributions
- Student loan interest paid
- Adoption costs; solar/geothermal/energy star door/window/furnace/boiler costs; qualifying electric vehicle
- Educator expense (now up to $300 for K-12 teachers)
Additional items:
- Driver’s license (or state issued ID) for taxpayer and spouse
- Bank account and routing numbers for tax refund or payment
- 1095 proof of health insurance – if you receive it; many won’t
- 1095-A for those who purchased health insurance through MN Sure/marketplace and receive the premium tax credit
- 1099-SA showing HSA distributions and a record of direct HSA contributions
- Stock sales 1099-B – include cost basis or purchase price when you bought, received or inherited the stock
- Direct contributions to IRA’s (payments made directly to IRA, not through work)
- Alimony/spousal maintenance paid or received; divorce decree if divorced in 2023
Children/dependents:
- Proof they lived with you (i.e. medical or school document showing their name and your address) — this is required for every child, every year
- Social security number and birth certificate for new dependents
- Form 8332 from custodial parent, if non-custodial parent claims the child tax credit
- Childcare (birth through age 12): Name, address, SS/EIN# of provider and amount paid
- MN K-12 Education credit: required school expense, tutoring, music/art lessons, driver’s ed, etc. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/qualifying-expenses
- If your dependent college student files a return, I need to file the return or see the return they filed. PLEASE ensure they check the box ‘dependent of another’ if you qualify to claim them.
College education credits:
- 1098-T issued by the college/university
- A financial statement from the school showing all charges and payments for 2023 (I must see this — it is typically available through students’ online account)
MN property tax refund (Homestead Credit and Renter’s Property Tax Refund):
- CRP (issued to renters by January 31)
- 2024 property tax statement if you have it yet (to be issued in March of 2024)
- Homeowners – income of other adults living in your home (who are not on your tax return)
- Nontaxable income – this is a long list, including scholarship/grants. See page 8: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2021-12/m1pr_inst_21_0.pdf
- Homestead Credit and Renter’s Refunds are filed separately from your income taxes and are not due until August 15, 2024. Refunds are generally paid between late-July and early-November.
Next steps:
- Drop off documents Monday/Tuesday 10am – 6pm or submit them through your online portal.
- Schedule a phone or zoom ‘tax preparation’ appointment about 2 weeks out. I will email my questions to you in advance and we will use the appt time to talk through questions and the return.
- Sign/pay using the portal or schedule an in-person ‘wrap up’ appointment if you dropped off documents.