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Practical Accounting solutions faqs

Information you need for your first visit!

Your appointment for tax preparation can be stressful. It can be hard to know what to do, what to remember, and what to expect from your appointment.

 

Use this simple guide below to take some of the stress out of your tax appointment. If you still have questions, feel free to call us!

Schedule Your appointment

  • Make your appointment well before the tax deadline, but not too soon after the New Year. (Typically a good time to start scheduling tax appointments is after January 31)

  • Have all your tax documents gathered and ready before your appointment

  • Write your tax questions down, so you don’t forget them at the appointment

  • If you can, find a sitter. If not, bring something quiet for the kids to do. (Tablets & headphones are always good.)

  • Be on time.

what to bring

Income Items

  • W2s

  • Independent Contractor Pay (1099-MISC)

  • Interest Statements from Bank (1099-INT)

  • Dividend Statements from Stock Ownership (1099-DIV)

  • Pension/Annuity Statement (1099-R)

  • Records of Stock/Bond/Investment Sales (1099-B)

  • Social Security Income (SSA-1099)

  • Record of State Tax Refund from prior year (1099-G)

  • Record of Gambling Winnings (W2-G)

  • Financial statements for Business Income (Sole Proprietor, Rental Property, etc.)

  • Schedule K-1 for ownership interest in Partnership, S-Corp, Estate, Trust, etc.

  • Any other documents showing income

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Expense/Deduction/Credit Items

  • Mortgage Interest Statement (1098)

  • Real Estate Tax Statements

  • Personal Property Tax Statements

  • Records of Charitable Contributions (Cash or Otherwise)

  • Records of Charitable Mileage

  • Medical Expense Receipts

  • Records of Medical Mileage

  • Records of Unreimbursed Employee Expenses

  • Records of Investment Advisory Fees

  • Records of Safe Deposit Box Fees

  • College Tuition Statements (1098-T)

  • Student Loan Interest Statements

  • Any documentation required for other credits/deductions

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Other Items

  • Prior Year Tax Return (or two if they are readily available)

  • List of Dependents including their Legal Name, Social Security Number and Date of Birth

  • Statements from Health Insurance Company if you received the Premium Tax Credit (1095-A)

  • Government Issued Photo ID (i.e. Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, etc.)

  • Bank Routing Number and Bank Account Number (Voided check is best)

  • Friends/Family/Coworkers (We Love Referrals)

what to expect

  • Try to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment (Or you can walk-in, but you might have to wait)

  • Have all of your contact information and personal information ready, so that you can fill out our information sheet

  • Duration:

    • Personal Tax appointments generally last from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the return

    • Business Tax appointments generally last from 90 minutes to 2 hours

  • If you have all of your documents with you, we can generally file the return with just one appointment

  • Refunds generally take between 2 – 3 weeks from the time your return is accepted by the IRS (if e-filed)

  • Please be patient. We are happy to help you and answer your questions.

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