Tax preparation what do i need

Important Tax Deadlines and Dates. Estimate your tax refund and where you stand Get started. See if you qualify for a third stimulus check and how much you can expect Get started. Easily calculate your tax rate to make smart financial decisions Get started. Estimate your self-employment tax and eliminate any surprises Get started.

Know what dependents credits and deductions you can claim Get started. Know what tax documents you'll need upfront Get started.

Learn what education credits and deductions you qualify for and claim them on your tax return Get started. The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice.

Skip To Main Content. Before you start tax preparation: Download and print this checklist as a PDF. Don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader? Download it here. Or, print this page and use the checklist below. Place the checklist in a file folder, or attach it to the outside of the folder. As you receive or locate tax documents, place them in the folder and check them off the list.

Scratch off anything on the list that doesn't apply to your tax situation it's organized with the most common items on the first page.

Enter information and amounts that are not already available on other documents, such as your bank routing number for direct deposit. Having this information in a report is much easier than going through your checks and bank statements for the entire year. For example, you will only receive the investment forms you may need to file your taxes if you had distributions or other activity.

The types of deductions you can take depend a lot on your life situation. At Block, what you see is what you get. No surprises. No hidden fees. Just tax prep the way it should be. Drop off your taxes and go. However, each year, some taxpayers are hurt financially because they choose the wrong tax return preparer.

Be sure to check our tips for choosing a tax preparer and how to avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers. However, tax return preparers have differing levels of skills, education and expertise. Learn about tax preparer credentials and qualifications. Watch Choose a Tax Preparer Wisely. You can also check the professional organizations many tax preparers belong to.