In order for us to provide the best service possible, we need you to provide information to prepare your income taxes.  We know you hate it, but there are some things we can't do without your help. 

MSN Money published a taxpayer checklist of what you really need to have your taxes properly prepared.  We were so impressed with this list, we decided to make it available to you.  It will help us when we try to help you. 

Information You Need

Where to Get the Data

PERSONAL DATA

Social Security numbers (including spouse and children).

These are required to qualify for exemptions.  Contact the Social Security Administration.

Your child care provider's tax I.D. or Social Security number.

This is critical to qualify for child care credits.  It comes from your child care provider.

EMPLOYMENT & INCOME DATA

W-2 forms for this year.

These come from your employer.

Partnership and trust income.

Data for these should come from an accountant or financial institution.

Pensions and annuities.

Data should come from the financial institution, insurance company selling the annuity or pension fund.

Social Security Railroad Retirement Benefits.

You will need Form RRB 1099 or Form RRB 1042S for foreign beneficiaries.

Alimony received.

Tax information should come from your ex-spouse or representative of the ex-spouse. Your former spouse will want your Social Security number to be able to deduct any alimony payments.

Jury duty pay.

Data should come from the court clerk.

Gambling and lottery winnings.

This data should come from the casino or lottery authority. Form W-2G.

Prizes and awards.

Data should come from the award givers. Form 1099-MISC.

Scholarships and fellowships.

Data should come from the administrators of these programs. Form 1099-T.

State and local income tax refunds and unemployment compensation.

Data should come from the taxing authorities or  issuing agencies on Form 1099G.

HOMEOWNER/RENTER DATA

Residential address(es) for this year.

This is your responsibility.

Mortgage interest.

Your lender will send you this data on Form 1098.

Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-S.

Your lender or closing agent should send you Form 1099-S.

Second mortgage interest paid.

Your lender will send you this data on Form 1098.

Real estate taxes paid.

Your county clerk or lender should send you this data.

Rent paid during tax year.

You need to generate this data.

Moving expenses.

If your expenses are reimbursed by an employer, the employer will furnish you with data on the moving costs.

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Interest income statements.

Financial institutions will provide this data on Form 1099-INT & Form 1099-OID.

Dividend income statements.

This will come on Form 1099-DIV from the company paying the dividends.

Proceeds from broker transactions.

Your brokers should furnish this data on Form 1099-B.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Student loan interest paid.

The lender should furnish this data on Form 1098-E.

Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other time deposits.

Financial institutions should provide this data.

AUTOMOBILES

Starting 09/01/2005, you may deduct 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven, up from 40.5 cents a mile prior to 09/01/2005; 15 cents a mile when computing deductible medical or moving expenses, up from 14 cents a mile in 2004; and 14 cents a mile when giving services to a charitable organization

Personal property tax information.

This data should come from the taxing authority.

DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES

Gifts to charity (Receipts for any single donations of $250 or more.)

This should come from the charity.

Unreimbursed expenses for volunteer work.

You will need to keep your own records for this.

Unreimbursed expenses related to your job. (Travel expenses, entertainment, uniforms, union dues, subscriptions.)

You will need to maintain this data.

Investment expenses.

Your broker will furnish some data. Travel, phone and other relates expenses are your responsibility to track.

Job-hunting expenses.

You will need to keep and maintain this data.

Education expenses.

You will need to keep this data. But if you qualify for Hope or Lifetime credits or other college deductions, the college involved will send you the data on the qualifying expenses you've paid.

Child care expenses.

You will need to keep this data.

Medical Savings Accounts.

The institution handling the account will be able to generate any data.

Adoption expenses.

You will need to track this data and be able to document these expenses.

Alimony paid.

You or the authority dispersing funds will need to keep this data. To deduct this expense, you will need the recipient's Social Security number.

Tax return preparation expenses and fees.

Your preparer can furnish this data to you.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT DATA

K-1s on all partnerships.

The partnership management should generate this data.

Receipts or documentation for business-related income and expenses.

This is data you should keep and track.

Farm income.

You or an accountant should tack this information. You will need to prepare Schedule F.

 DEDUCTION DOCUMENTS

Federal, state and local estimated tax paid for current year. (Including estimated tax vouchers, cancelled checks & other payment records.)

You must keep copies of this data and track it.

IRA, Keogh & other retirement plan contributions.

You can get this information from your financial institutions.

Medical expenses.

You must track this data.

CASUALTY OR THEFT LOSSES

Other miscellaneous deductions.

You will need to file Form 4684.