HOW DOES ONLINE/CONTACTLESS FILING WORK?

*** SCROLL DOWN ON THIS PAGE TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS, & TAX DEDUCTION WORKSHEETS BY PROFESSION *** IF YOUR PROFESSION ISN'T LISTED, USE THE HTP GENERAL SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP FORM ****

*** EVERYONE MUST COMPLETE THE STIMULUS DISCLOSURE *****

*** PLEASE READ OUR ONLINE/CONTACTLESS FILING PROCESS ***

*** DO NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST A PORTAL UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS!!! ***

Thank you for giving Howard Tax Prep LLC the opportunity to earn your business. Tax deduction worksheets by profession are listed at the bottom of the page, and are available for download. The documents are fillable, so you should be able to complete them, save them to your pc, and upload them to your Howard Tax Prep LLC portal (or bring them into one of our locations at your designated appointment time. Please note, if a section doesn’t apply to you, please disregard it; for example, if you don’t make charitable donations, and you aren’t self-employed, you will not need to send any of the documents listed under that section. I am aware that this list can be exhaustive and overwhelming, but it is necessary so that we can find every single tax deduction, and recommend some tax savings ideas. WE WILL NOT BEGIN WORK UNTIL WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE DOCUMENT. 

Additionally, please audit your records and all of your files. If you receive documents that will have an impact on your return after it has been filed (such as another W2, a 1098 from school, a 1099 from side work, etc.) there will be A FEE TO COMPLETE ADDITIONAL FORMS, AND/OR AMENDMENTS TO THE RETURN. For example, you forgot that you had healthcare, and the IRS sends you a letter requesting form 8962 you would only pay $50 for the completion of form 8962; However, if you forget a W2, 1098, or a 1099, the entire return has to be amended (redone & corrected with the correct income), and the cost for an amendment is $250! 

LIST OF ITEMS EVERY TAX PAYER NEEDS TO HAVE:

• *** DO NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST A PORTAL UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS!!! **
• LAST YEARS TAX RETURN. THIS IS NEEDED SO THAT WE CAN HAVE YOUR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR TAX RETURN, WE CAN ORDER A COPY FROM THE IRS AT A COST OF $35. 
• VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID WITH A PHOTO (Driver’s license, State ID, Passport, etc.).
• COPY OF SOCIAL SECURITY CARD FOR ALL DEPENDENTS ** If the child is not your birth child, please call our office to discuss.
• If you are a new client, we will need BIRTH CERTIFICATES, Social security numbers & birth dates for you and your dependents. If the child is not your birth child, please call our office to discuss.
• ANY NOTICES & CORRESPONDENCE THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM THE IRS, STATE, COUNTY, OR OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES. 
• Existing clients, if you had a new baby, I will need a copy of the social security card & birth certificate. 
• *** DO NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST A PORTAL UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS!!! **

*** NEW HOMEOWNERS ONLY *** 

• Please include your CLOSING DISCLOSURE, or SETTLEMENT STATEMENT. These documents can be found amongst the documents that you signed when you purchased your home. 
• 1098 Mortgage interest statement.   

*** CURRENT HOMEOWNERS ONLY *** 

• PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL!! You can search the assessors office for your property pin, and the treasurers office for your property tax bill. If we have SEARCH FOR YOUR BILL, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITONAL $10 FEE CHARGED. 
• 1098 Mortgage interest statement. 

*** LANDLORDS ONLY *** 

• If you have SECTION 8 tenants, you need to get the form from the department of housing (state, or city). SOMETIMES THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES DON'T SEND THE 1099-MISC FORM, WHICH MEANS, YOU MAY HAVE TO CALL & ASK FOR THE FORM TO BE SENT TO YOU.  Please note, we need the ACTUAL FORM, not just the amounts received.
• HTP Rental property worksheet completed.
• 1098 Mortgage interest statement.     

LIST OF ITEMS MOST TAX PAYERS NEED TO HAVE:

COMMON ITEMIZED DEDUCTION FORMS: 

• 1098 Mortgage interest statement 
• Daycare Expenses. Please provide the name of the provider, amount paid, and EIN, or social security number.
• Summer Camp expenses. Please provide the name of the provider, amount paid, and EIN, or social security number.
• Qualified Medical expense mileage (drives to hospital, doctor’s appointments, hospital parking fees, etc.).
• Total amount paid for qualified healthcare expenses; along with itemized receipts (glasses, contact lenses, dental work, prescriptions, etc.). 
• Property tax bill.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL SOURCES OF INCOME. 

• STOCK TRADES! If you traded on Robinhood, Acorns, etc. you should have a tax statement on the app. This statement is a 1099-B
• 1099-B (sales of stock, bonds, or other investments)
• 1099-DIV (dividends received) 
• 1099-G Unemployment compensation
• 1099-INT (interest income)
• Income & W-2 info.
• If you are claiming dependents over the age of 18, that are NOT IN COLLEGE, please provide their W2 info. 
• W-2 Forms from all employers for you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return). ***PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING, THERE IS A $250 FEE TO AMEND A TAX RETURN (add things, or make changes), once you've filed your taxes. 
• 1099-MISC Forms  if you (or your spouse) completed contract work and earned more than $600
• 1099-NEC for non employee compensation. 
• 1099-MISC for prizes and awards
• 1099-SSA  Social Security benefits
• 1099-R  Rollovers of Retirement Plans and IRA Distributions
• 1099-K  Forms. These forms are usually LOCATED IN YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT if you drove for Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, or received payments via PAYPAL, Square, CashApp, Etc.)
• 1099-C Forms. Sent if you had any debt(s) cancelled by a lender.
• Business income (See notes below).
• 1099-MSA for distributions from medical savings accounts
• 1099-A (foreclosure of a home)
• Investment income information (including: interest income, dividend income, proceeds from the sale of bonds or stocks, and income from foreign investments).
• Income from local and state tax refunds from the prior year.
• Rental property income
• Miscellaneous income (including: jury duty, lottery and gambling winnings)
• 1098 Mortgage interest statement.

*** BUSINESS OWNERS  ONLY***  (LLC, CORP, S-CORP).

• *** BUSINESS OWNERS  ONLY*** DO NOT SEND IN ESTIMATES FOR YOUR EXPENSES! PLEASE SEND IN ACTUAL NUMBERS BY GOING THROUGH YOUR BANK STATEMENTS!
• COMPLETED HOWARD TAX PREP EXPENSE SHEET FOR YOUR PROFESSION. 
• LAST YEAR'S TAX RETURN! IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS, WE CAN GET A COPY FOR $35.
• YOU MUST PROVIDE ACCURATE TOTALS (NOT GUESSES) FOR EACH EXPENSE CATEGORY, ON THE HOWARD TAX PREP LLC FORM THAT APPLIES TO YOUR BUSINESS. If you don't want to do the calculations, you can hire us for tax bookkeeping for $65 an hour (minimum 3 hours).  IF YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR TAX BOOKKEEPING, PLEASE USE OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO: BOOKKEEPING WITHOUT QUICKBOOKS. 
• BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT PDF’S (UNLESS WE HANDLE YOUR BOOKKEEPING).
• SALES TAX RETURNS!!! THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT!
• ZELLE PAYMENTS REPORT FOR THE YEAR  (CAN DOWNLOAD FROM CHASE OR YOUR BANKS SITE). 
• CASHAPP TRANSACTIONS.
• PAYPAL  ANNUAL REPORT.
• SHOPIFY ANNUAL REPORT.
• SQUARE ANNUAL REPORT.
• PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT.
• BALANCE SHEET, OR ACCESS TO YOUR QUICKBOOKS ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE.
• CASH BUSINESSES MUST HAVE A RECEIPT BOOK, OR SOME OTHER TANGIBLE PROOF OF INCOME RECEIVED.
• *** DO NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST A PORTAL UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS!!! **

*** BUSINESS OWNERS ONLY*** DO NOT SEND IN ESTIMATES FOR YOUR EXPENSES! PLEASE SEND IN ACTUAL NUMBERS BY GOING THROUGH YOUR BANK STATEMENTS!

• LAST YEAR'S TAX RETURN! 
• DO NOT SEND IN ESTIMATES & GUESSES FOR YOUR EXPENSES! YOU MUST PROVIDE ACCURATE TOTALS (NOT GUESSES) FOR EACH EXPENSE CATEGORY, ON THE HOWARD TAX PREP LLC FORM THAT APPLIES TO YOUR BUSINESS. If you don't want to do the calculations, you can hire us for tax bookkeeping for $65 an hour (minimum 3 hours).  IF YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR TAX BOOKKEEPING, PLEASE USE OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO: BOOKKEEPING WITHOUT QUICKBOOKS. 
• If you use QuickBooks, you can grant us access to your QuickBooks file by inviting an accountant, & using the email quickbooks@howardtaxprep.com
• Amount of Cash Received.
• Cash Payments Income records to verify amounts received in cash.
• Form 1099-NEC.
• Form 1099-K--(Stripe/PayPal/Square/Shopify etc.).
• SALES TAX RETURNS!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
• BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT STATEMENT PDF’S, PROFIT AND LOSS,  BALANCE SHEET, OR ACCESS TO QUICKBOOKS ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE ACCESS.
• Business checking/savings account interest (1099-INT or statement).
• Schedule K-1 from partnership, or S-Corp.
• Itemized List of Office  Equipment (computers, printers, desk, chairs). 
• Itemized List of Office  Furniture (Desk, Chairs, Couch, etc.). 
• Other Equipment used in business.
• Cost of Each Itemized Office Equipment & Office Furniture Item, along with  date placed in service, and % of business usage (for depreciation  purposes).
• Interest paid on business credit cards or other loans. Loan payments are not deductible, only the interest on the loan is deductible. 
• Education expenses (seminars, books, consulting fees, etc.).
• Utilities Monthly Cost (Cellphone, light bill, gas bill, internet bill, Water bill,  Garbage/Sewage Bill).
• Total Square footage of house/apartment.
• Square footage of home office & storage space.
• Meals for business purposes (not 1 person meals for lunch).
• Required licenses and cost of maintaining license.
• Office Supplies purchased (Tape, printer paper, paper towels, soap, etc.).
• Mileage log records (business, commuting, medical, and personal).
• Vehicle information (make, model, year).
• Cost of vehicle & when purchased.
• Car loan interest (usually included in monthly payments, so you may have to call your lender).
• Cost of vehicle city sticker, plate sticker, and other registrations.
• Parking paid (for classes, visiting clients, picking up rents, etc.).
• Tolls paid.
• Local transportation (If you caught a Metra, bus, taxi, etc. to attend a      business meeting, appointment, seminar, class, etc.
• Travel away from home: (Airfare or mileage/actual expense if drove; Hotel; Meals; Tips; Taxi; Internet connection (hotel, Internet café etc. receipts for public transportation, parking, and tolls).
• Commissions  paid to subcontractors.
• File Form 1099-MISC and 1096 as necessary.
• Professional fees (Lawyers,  accountants, and consultants)
• DO NOT SEND IN ESTIMATES & GUESSES FOR YOUR EXPENSES! 
• *** DO NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR REQUEST A PORTAL UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS!!! **

• Written acknowledgements (statements from organization or cancelled checks) of cash amounts donated to houses of worship, schools, other charitable organizations. 
• Charitable  mileage (events that you drove to and/or that you volunteered at).
• Records of non-cash charitable donations. (Checks, electronic records, etc.). 

• Qualified Medical expense mileage (drives to hospital, doctor’s appointments, hospital parking fees, etc.).
• Total amount paid for Qualified healthcare expenses; along with itemized receipts (glasses, contact lenses, dental work, prescriptions, etc.). 
• Health Insurance Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insurance plan through healthcare.gov –CHECK YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT AS THEY DON’T ALWAYS SEND A STATEMENT. Form 1095-B and/or 1095-C if you had insurance coverage through any other source.
• Marketplace exemption certificate (ECN) if you applied for and received an exemption from the Marketplace.

• Forms 1098-T from educational institutions. IF YOU, OR YOUR CHILD DIDN'T RECEIVE A FORM, CALL THE SCHOOL'S FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENT, OR CHECK YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL. 
• Receipts  that itemize qualified educational expenses.
• Records of any scholarships or fellowships you received.
• Form 1098-E if you paid student loan interest.
• Amount(s) Paid for Required books for class. 
• Cost of pens, paper, folders, etc.