Be on the alert for tax scams!
BE SUSPICIOUS IF SOMONE CLAIMING TO BE THE IRS:
⚠ Calls to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
⚠ Threatens to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
⚠ Demands that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
⚠ Asks for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Click here for the IRS.gov page on tax scams and consumer alerts.
What to Have Ready Before Filing Your Taxes
Checklists
Personal Information
☑️ Social security number & drivers license for you and your spouse
☑️ Alimony paid plus full name and social security number
☑️ Previous three years of tax returns (if applies)
Information About Other People Who May Belong on Your Return
☑️ Dates of birth and social security numbers
☑️ Childcare records (including the provider’s tax ID number)
☑️ Income of other adults in your home
Education Payments
☑️ Forms 1098-T from educational institutions
☑️ Receipts that itemize qualified educational expenses
☑️ Records of any scholarships or fellowships you received
☑️ Form1098-E if you paid student loan interest
Employee Information
☑️ Forms W-2
Self-Employment Information
☑️ Forms 1099-MISC, Schedules K-1, income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099s
☑️ Records of all expenses — check registers or credit card statements, and receipts
☑️ Business-use asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
☑️ Office in home information, if applicable
Business Use of Vehicle Information
☑️ Log showing total miles driven for the year (or beginning/ending odometer readings), total business miles driven for the year (other than commuting), and the business purpose of the mileage
☑️ Amount of parking and tolls paid
Rental Property Income
☑️ Records of income and expenses
☑️ Rental asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
Retirement Income and Contributions
☑️ Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)
☑️ Social security/RRB income (1099-SSA, RRB-1099)
☑️ Form 5498 showing IRA contributions
☑️ Traditional IRA basis (i.e. amounts you contributed to the IRA that were already taxed)
Savings and Investments
☑️ Interest, dividend income (1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV)
☑️ Income from sales of stock or other property (1099-B, 1099-S)
☑️ Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold (if basis is not reported on 1099-B)
Other Income
☑️ Unemployment, state tax refund (1099-G)
☑️ Gambling income (W-2G as well as expense records)
☑️ Amount of any alimony received
☑️ Health Savings Account (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
☑️ Jury duty records
☑️ Hobby income and expenses
☑️ Prizes and awards
☑️ Other 1099
Affordable Care Act
☑️ Marketplace (Exchange)
☑️ Form 1095-B and/or 1095-C if you had insurance coverage through any other source (i.e . an employer, insurance company Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA, etc.)
☑️ Marketplace exemption certificate
