Tax Preparation Checklist

Time to get ready to file your taxes. If you’re expecting a refund, you’re probably want to get that money as soon as you can. We’ve still got a couple of weeks before employers are required to send you your W-2, so you’ve got time to get ready.

I’ve put together a quick list of things you may need to file your tax return, whether you’re using a CPA or doing it yourself through a service like TurboTax, H&R Block At Home, or QuickTax (for Canadians).

Tax Prep Checklist

1. Your family and dependant’s Social Security Numbers
2. Your bank account and routing number (to have your refund direct deposited)
3. A list of the taxes you’ve paid during the year (estimated tax payment, sales taxes, property taxes, etc.)
4. W-2’s and other income tax forms (1099’s, Schedule K-1, etc.)
5. Homebuyer Tax Credit form 5405
6. IRA Contribution Info
7. Education information (tuition paid, student loan interest paid, etc)
8. Home mortgage interest paid
9. Medical expenses
10. Job search and moving related expenses
11. Charitable donations

Extra: For a more comprehensive list, check out this checklist put together by the folks at TurboTax: TurboTax – Tax Preparation Checklist

QuickHits

Now for a few notable articles from around the blog-o-sphere this week. Tons of links so I categorized them for you:

Frugal Tips
10 Frugal Ways to get Fit this Winter
The Best 101 Debt Busting Posts of 2009 (from 101 Frugal Bloggers)

Credit and Debt
How to Get Your Free FICO Credit Score
What the New Changes in Credit Card Rules Mean for You
How Does The CARD Act of 2009 Affect Credit Card Holders?
New Law Makes it Harder for Teens to Get a Credit Card Starting February 22
Does the World Need Yet Another Credit Option?

Investing
Is A Safe 8% Return Realistic?
The Five Best International Mutual Funds For Your IRA
2010 Roth IRA Conversion, Important Things to Know — The rule for IRA conversion changed for 2010. Learn everything you need to know and see if you can take advantage of this opportunity.

Giveaways
Don’t Forget About The Free YNAB Giveaway over at the Wisdom Journal. Ron is giving away one copy of this fantastic budgeting software in a drawing to be held February 1st. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter!
The Centsible Life Turns 1: $600 in Giveaways

Just Fun
Top 10 Money Movies of the Decade
Place Your Bets: 40 Gut-Busting Restaurant Challenges for FREE Food

Even More
How To Make Money With A Blog: A primer on how to start a blog, promote it, and make a nice side income.
5 Steps to Get You Hired as an English Teacher Abroad
You Need a Budget (YNAB) 3.0 Personal Finance Software Review
Areas to Automate Your Finances
If you liked reading Freakonomics then check out their next offering:
SuperFreakonomics book review.
Your Spouse: Financial Teammate or Financial Enemy?
Dealing with Financial Peer Pressure
What the Bible Says About Money

Carnivals

• The Carnival of Money Stories at The Dough Roller
• The Festival of Frugality at Yes, I Am Cheap
• The Carnival of Debt Reduction

That’s about it for now. Have a great weekend everyone.

1. Tuesday Tax Tip: Tax Prep Checklist
2. File Your 2009 Taxes for Free
3. 14 Tax Time Tips
4. File Your Taxes on the Cheap This Year
5. Turbo Tax Deluxe Review and Giveaway

Tagged as: april 15, carnivals, checklist, filing, h&rblock, IRS, prep, quick-hits, roundup, taxact, taxes, turbotax