IRS Reminds Taxpayers with Extensions to Gather All Information Before Visiting a Tax Professional

As the deadline draws near, the IRS is reminding taxpayers with extensions to gather all necessary documents before preparing their tax returns. This is especially important for those who are employing the services of a professional tax preparer. Having all your information ready prior to your appointment will ensure a complete and accurate tax return.

Necessary Information for Taxpayers

Here’s a list of information that taxpayers may need. Note that not all information applies to every taxpayer.

– Social Security numbers for all individuals listed on the tax return
– Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit or tax payment information
– W-2 forms from employers
– 1099 forms from banks, issuing agencies, and other payers, including unemployment compensation, dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity or retirement plan
– 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2 or other income statements for gig economy workers
– 1099-INT for received interest
– Other income documents and records of virtual currency transactions
– 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
– Information to support claims for other credits or deductions, such as child or dependent care receipts, college expenses or donations

What to Do If You’re Missing Documents

If you’re missing a W-2 or 1099 form, you should contact your employer, payer, or issuing agency. This also applies to taxpayers who received an incorrect W-2 or 1099 form.

If you still haven’t received your forms, you can use Form 4852 (SP), Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. If you don’t receive the corrected or missing form in time to file your tax return, you can estimate your wages or payments received and any tax withheld. Additionally, you can use Form 4852 to report this information on your tax return.

Finding an Authorized e-file Provider

For help finding a tax professional, taxpayers can use the IRS’s Authorized e-file Provider Locator Service. This is a nationwide list of all businesses that have been accepted to participate in the IRS e-file program. They are qualified to prepare, transmit, and process electronic returns.