What Do You Need To File?
Here is a summary of the basic documents you will need depending on how & what you are filing.
You may also stroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about how you should file and what you claim. You may also call us directly for more information 850-629-8366 (Call or Text)
Identification Card (ID)
Your personal ID, Driver's License or Passport is accepted. Ensure that it is up to date with the correct address. If not, be sure to give the preparer the correct address.
If it is expired, you will need to ensure that it's valid by the time you are ready to submit your return. To renew, replace or pay fees online & receive it in the mail; click here
Social Security Number
Your Social Security card is your personal number that identifies you as a person. If you do not have it, you may still submit your return. However, I recommend getting it as soon as possible. You can apply for a replacement card for free here.
W-2 (if applicable)
A Check Stub is acceptable. Make sure that it is the very last one. If any information is incorrect from the W2, the IRS may hold your return until it is verified. It's best to wait until you receive the W2.
You may still file for the advance with your check stub.
Dependent Information (Head of Household or Single)
If you are claiming your biological child, you will need the SSN & DOB with correct spelling of name & gender.
If you are claiming a child/dependent that lived with you for 6 months or more; you will need proving documents; Stroll to the bottom of this page
to see what the acceptable documents are.
You don't have to be head of household to claim a dependent. If you cannot prove that you paid 50% or more within the household, you should file single; you can still claim the dependent.
Bank Statements (Self Employed Only)
You can legally work for yourself without a license or registration. Filing it on your tax return is how you claim your business and pay those taxes. Some businesses receive a major credit depending on how the year went. You may show documents such as bank statements, receipts, ledgers, cash app accounts; to ensure that you can get a great tax break. Call us to see what is accepted. 850-629-8366
Insurance (1095-A form) if applicable
If you had insurance through your employer, this is not pertaining to you.
This is only for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare. If you are not sure that you had this insurance for any part of the year;
Click here to log-in & check. You may also call 1-800-318-2596
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except holidays)
However, the information may not be available until Mid-January or later; You may still file for the advance.
Get a Free Quote
Fill out a client intake form, receive a quote same day. Stroll to the bottom of this page to see what supporting documents you may need & what is acceptable. In person filing is not required, you can submit all of your documents here, speak with a live preparer & have your taxes filed virtually. After submission of this form, your quote will be given the same day. Be sure to leave current contact information so that we may reach you if we have any questions. Thank You!
Supporting Documents
These documents are required in order for you to get the credit on your return.
If you do not have the documents that are mentioned; give us a call to see what is acceptable. We are here for any questions that you may have.
Dependents
Social Security Card, Date of Birth
Supporting Documents
Biological Child: Birth certificate.
Adopted Child: Adoption decree or proof of lawful placement.
Foster Child: Court order or statement from an authorized placement agency.
Stepchild: Child's birth certificate and your marriage certificate.
Other Relatives (e.g., grandchild, niece, nephew): A combination of birth and marriage certificates to show the full "family tree" connection.
Proof Of Residency
School records (report cards, enrollment forms, letters on letterhead).
Medical or health insurance records (bills, shot records, statements on letterhead from a provider).
Childcare records or statements (including the provider's Tax ID number).
Government benefit statements (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.).
Rental property lease or mortgage payment records listing residents.
Divorce decree, separation agreement, or custody order (if applicable for divorced/separated parents).
Education Credit/School
Form 1098-T; Tuition Statement
Form 8863, Education Credit
Proof of Payment
Records of Enrollment: Documentation demonstrating the student was enrolled at an eligible educational institution, especially if you did not receive a Form 1098-T.
Form 1099-Q: If you used funds from a Qualified Tuition Program (QTP, also known as a 529 plan), you will receive this form reporting distributions, which you should also keep with your tax records
Additional Expenses: For the AOTC, expenses for course materials like books and supplies needed for a course of study are qualified, even if not purchased directly from the school. Keep receipts for these items to include them in your total qualified expenses.
Charity Donations
Receipts of Payment
Cash/Monetary Donations (any amount): A bank record (canceled check, bank/credit union statement, or credit card statement) or a written communication from the charity is required. The record must show the name of the charity, the date, and the amount of the contribution.
Non-Cash Donations (any amount): You must have a receipt from the charity that includes its name, the date and location of the contribution, and a reasonably detailed description of the property.
Contributions of $250 or more
For any single contribution (cash or non-cash) of $250 or more, you must obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity by the date you file your tax return. A canceled check is not sufficient proof for donations over $250.
The acknowledgment must include:
-The name of the organization.
-The amount of any cash contributed or a description (but not value) of non-cash property contributed.
-A statement regarding whether the charity provided any goods or services in return for the contribution, and a good-faith estimate of the value of any such goods or services.
Self-Employment
For Income (Gross Receipts)
Forms 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) or 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income) sent from clients who paid you $600 or more.
Forms 1099-K for payments received through payment cards or third-party networks (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, online marketplaces).
Bank statements and deposit slips showing all business income, including cash and checks received that may not be reported on a 1099 form.
Invoices and receipt books.
Cash register tapes or sales slips.
For Expenses
Receipts and invoices.
Canceled checks or records of electronic fund transfers.
Credit card statements identifying the payee, amount, date, and business purpose of the expense.
Mileage logs for business-related travel.
Records of deductible home office expenses, such as rent or utilities, if you qualify for the home office deduction.
Year-to-date Profit & Loss statements generated from accounting software or manually created.
Head of Household
To support a claim for Head of Household (HOH) filing status, the IRS may request documents that verify you meet three key requirements: your marital status, that a qualifying person lived with you, and that you paid more than half the cost of maintaining the home.
Supporting documentation for Head of Household filing status includes proof of marital status, such as a divorce decree. To demonstrate a qualifying person lived with you for more than half the year (with an exception for a dependent parent), documents like birth certificates and records showing a common address can be used. To show you paid over half the cost of maintaining your home, records of expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, and groceries are helpful. The IRS suggests keeping tax records for at least three years. Additional information is available in IRS Form 886-H-HOH.
Dependent/Child Care Credit
1. Care Provider Information
Provider's Name: The full legal name or business name.
Address: The complete address of the provider.
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): This is usually their Social Security Number (SSN) for an individual or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for a business.
- If you cannot get the complete information, you should be able to show you used "due diligence" in trying to obtain it to avoid having your credit disallowed.
- If the provider is a tax-exempt organization (like a non-profit daycare center), you only need to report their name and address.
2. Documentation of Expenses
Itemized Receipts/Invoices: These should detail the dates of service, the type of service, the dependent's name, the amount billed, and the provider's name and address.
Canceled Checks/Payment Records: These documents (along with an invoice) can help substantiate proof of payment, though a balance-forward statement alone is not sufficient documentation.
Year-End Statement: Many official childcare centers provide a summary statement at the end of the year which includes all necessary details.
Form W-2, Box 10: If you received dependent care benefits from your employer, this amount will be shown in Box 10 of your W-2 form and must be reported on Form 2441.
Common Tax Credits for Individuals
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A major refundable credit for low to moderate-income workers and families. The amount depends on your income, marital status, and number of children, and you may qualify even if you don't normally file taxes.
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Child Tax Credit (CTC): A nonrefundable credit worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 for the 2025 tax year. A portion of this, the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), may be refundable up to $1,700 per child.
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Child and Dependent Care Credit: For a percentage of expenses paid for the care of a qualifying child under 13, a disabled spouse, or other dependent so you can work or look for work.
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American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC): A partially refundable education credit of up to $2,500 per student for qualified expenses (tuition, books, supplies) during the first four years of higher education.
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Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC): A nonrefundable education credit for up to $2,000 per return for qualified tuition and related expenses for any level of post-secondary education or courses to acquire or improve job skills.
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Saver's Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit): For eligible taxpayers who contribute to an IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan, this credit can be up to $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, depending on your income.
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Premium Tax Credit (PTC): A refundable credit to help eligible individuals and families with low or moderate income pay for health insurance premiums purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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Adoption Credit: A nonrefundable credit to help cover qualified adoption expenses. Any unused amount can be carried forward to future tax years.
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Clean Vehicle Tax Credit: A credit of up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles (EVs) and up to $4,000 for used EVs that meet specific manufacturing and income requirements.
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Residential Clean Energy Credit: A credit for a percentage of the cost of installing energy-efficient home improvements, such as solar panels or energy-efficient windows, on your home.
Key Distinction: Refundable vs. Nonrefundable
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Nonrefundable credits can reduce your tax bill to zero, but you won't receive any remaining amount as a refund.
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Refundable credits can result in a refund even if you don't owe any tax, meaning you can get money back beyond your tax liability.